Page 57 of Double Play

Seemingly satisfied with my words, he nods his head, a ghost of a grin tugging at one corner of his mouth. "Alright, fine," he relents. “But if either of you hurt her, you’ll be dealing with me.”

“Dad,” Arden says, rolling her eyes in annoyance as she enters the room. “Leave them alone.”

His face lights up with pure happiness as he stands, welcoming his daughter with open arms. She melts into the embrace, smiling softly against his chest. I’ve always loved their bond, and one day, I hope I’m half the selfless father he is. “I’m just giving them the rundown, honey,” he replies. “Gotta make sure they’re taking care of my baby girl.”

“They’re perfect gentlemen.” She winks in our direction, almost making me bark out a laugh because we’re far from gentlemen when it comes to her. Just last night, Hawk told her what a pathetic slut she was while I overstimulated her with my tongue for hours. That’ll be our little secret, though.

We spend the rest of the evening hanging out with my mom and Slade, eating dinner and talking about what happened at the Flare facility earlier. I knew Dahlia targeting Arden had to be personal on some level, but I certainly wasn’t expecting it to go back so many years. Either way, I’m glad they took care of the situation so the world can continue to watch my girl shine.

We head to bed early since she has a match tomorrow and needs a solid night of sleep. It’s a little weird going into Hawk’s room instead of my own as our parents head toward the other end of the hall, but I’m relieved that we no longer have to hide from them. Do I plan on fucking her into oblivion while they’re under the same roof as us? No. But it feels good to know I can hold her while we sleep and not be worried about getting caught. Now that we have their approval, I have a plan to show the rest of the world just how happy Arden makes us, and how we’re never letting her go.

FORTY-EIGHT

HAWK

“DidI mention Ihatethis idea?” I say to Jacks as we enter the arena. We’re here to watch Arden play, and although we’ve been here before, I have a feeling today’s appearance will draw a lot more attention. And while I’m proud of my girl and the life we’re building, I’d much rather do it without a million cameras pointed at us all the time.

“Once or twice,” he replies, a self-assured smile plastered across his face as we make our way toward our seats. We’re right up front, so hopefully our message will be heard loud and clear, so we can move forward out in the open.

Slade slaps a hand against my shoulder. “Girls go nuts for grand declarations of love. That’s how I got this one.” He tosses a thumb over his shoulder to where Gina walks beside him, earning an eye roll.

“I’d hardly call you sending jealousy flowers to my place of employment a grand love declaration,” she deadpans.

His jaw drops as if he’s offended. “Those were notjealousy flowers.”

She rolls her eyes again. This time, they go so far back, I’m afraid they might actually get stuck before she looks toward us. “My boss’ name was Frankie, and I was spending a lot of late nights at the office. He could’ve just shown up to pee on my leg and given the same message.”

He whips his head her way, brows pulled tight as his face heats with embarrassment. “How was I supposed to know Frankie was a sixty-five-year-old woman? I just wanted to make sure any potential suitors knew you were taken.” I chuckle quietly at their exchange as we shuffle down the first row, Jackson lifting his stupid sign above his head so it doesn’t get bent. He went off the rails with his hair-brained scheme for today, but I have no doubt Arden will love it, so I couldn’t say no. If I end up looking like an idiot in order to make her smile, so be it.

The arena goes dark, loud music playing through the speakers as multicolored spotlights and smoke dance across the floor. “And now,” the announcer says as the whole place fills with cheers and whistles, “your Florida Flare!” The team explodes from the tunnel, led by the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I don’t think it’ll ever get old watching her command the court, and I couldn’t be prouder of her strength and resilience. Her first season has already been a tough one, but I just know the rest of her career will be legendary. I’m one lucky motherfucker for being able to call her mine.

They begin warmups, jumping at the net with their arms up before rotating around the court and settling into their positions. Arden takes her spot right in the middle, clapping and hyping up her teammates as the coaching staff tosses balls out to be passed. As soon as they come her way, she sets them up, every one perfectly placed for her hitters.

We watch them go through drills, and when they’re done, Jackson sends a knowing grin my way. “It’s time,” he sing-songs, and I can’t help but huff an annoyed breath before throwing caution to the wind and doing exactly what we practiced—or whathepracticed in front of me twenty times this morning while I pretended to ignore him. He sets the sign at his feet and we both stand, pulling our hoodies over our heads to reveal matching Flare jerseys. Arden’s last name and number are stretched across our backs as fans around us start to zone in on the two pro baseball players in the stands. But it’s not until he lifts the sign that our message is sent—loud and clear—to the hundreds of thousands of people watching here and in their homes. Because in big, bold letters above us are the wordsWe love #10with two arrows pointing down. The crowd cheers, several phones being lifted to record as the player next to our girl taps her shoulder and motions for her to turn around. As soon as she does, her cheeks pinken, and a sheepish smile blooms across her beautiful face. She leans over, saying something to her coach and getting a quick nod in response before jogging our way.

“Nice sign,” she says, her big brown eyes bouncing between us in adoration.

“I made it,” Jackson offers. “He didn’t help.”Such a fucking brown-noser.I inhale a soothing breath so I don’t throat punch him in front of all these people, bending over the railing so she can hear me.

“Get out there and kill it, Hellcat. Head in the game—visualize the win.”

She lifts her chin, confidence radiating from her expression as she pushes to her tiptoes and puckers her lips. I smirk, not expecting things to go in this direction, butfuck it. I’m certainly not turning down the chance to kiss this woman, so I lean down further, pressing my mouth to hers. It’s quick, with a definite PG rating for any younger viewers, but speaks volumes—especially when she turns her head, beckoning the same treatment from Jackson. He immediately obliges, kissing her as though it’s the most natural thing in the world…because it is.

“Go get ’em, Princess,” he says, and she nods, turning and running back over to join her team as they prepare to take the court. Playful whistles and cheers erupt from the bench, and I even notice some of the coaching staff clapping as she cradles her bright pink cheeks in her hands. I hear a few whispers behind us, likely in reaction to the fact that we just publicly proclaimed our love for the same girl, but I don’t give a fuck. Whatever happens from here on out—we face it together. And nothing will tear us apart.

I watch in awe as Arden leads her team like a true captain, moving together like a well-oiled machine as they rack up point after point against their opponents. Everything about her game is on today, from the serving to the setting—to even getting a few great solo blocks. And when they win the match in three games, we celebrate, cheering as loudly as we can like the devoted boyfriends we are.

Our journey wasn’t easy, and I’m sure we’ll be faced with all kinds of adversity as we move forward, but one thing will always remain true. Jackson and Arden are my people—two perfect souls I managed to find in this great big world, and whose love and friendship helped me become the best version of myself—a man they can be proud of, who will stand strong beside them through everything life throws our way.

This is us, scars and all, showing the world how true love can always conquer the darkness.

EPILOGUE

ARDEN - 5 YEARS LATER

“Come for me, Princess,”Jackson whispers as he eases in and out of me from behind, hitting my G-spot perfectly with the head of his thick cock. “They’re gonna be here any second. You need to hurry.”

“Right there,” I breathe as heat begins to coil tightly in my core. “Fuck…don’t stop. Please.” He doesn’t let up, reaching around and using the pad of his middle finger to flick my clit so expertly, every muscle in my body begins to wind tight, craving that moment of release. And when he picks up speed, fucking me at the perfect pace, I’m swept away, losing myself to the rush of ecstasy as it crashes into me. I cry out, slapping my hand over my mouth in a seemingly unsuccessful attempt to muffle the sound—because I’m pulled back to reality entirely too soon as a heavy fist bangs against the pantry door.

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