Page 37 of Caught Stealing Your Heart
“We know she’s going to get a good hit with you behind her. Move over, so she can show us what she got.”
I craned my neck back to peer up at Banks. “You can move back. I got this.”
With his hands up in mock surrender, Banks back away from me. “I see you. Do what I taught you.”
“Just call me Baby Boss.”
“That has a nice little ring to it.”
“Doesn’t it?”
Their second pitcher, Blake, moved off the mound and got close to me. He informed me he’d make it easier for me, but I was ready for whatever.
My mind went to what Banks told me at the cages. I held the bat away from my shoulder and reminded myself to swing with the power in my hips. The ball left Blake’s hand, and I closely watched it before swinging. When I heard the crack of the ball,I dropped the bat and took off running. I heard Banks cheering me on. Out the corner of my eyes, I saw him jumping up and down, throwing his arms for me to keep going. By the time I made it to second base, I was winded. I wanted to stop, so I slowed down to a job.
“Oh, snap!” I yelped.
Banks came out of nowhere and scooped me up bridal style. He ran me around the remaining base with his teammates waiting for us at home plate. Once I was set on my feet, everyone started hitting the helmet. I’d seen them do it to others anytime they got a homerun.
“Y’all are rough.” I giggled and melted into Banks’s arms. “That was fun.”
They wrapped up practice, and we left. As Banks and I sat in the backseat, I motioned like I was swinging.
“That was the most fun I’ve had in a while doing something so athletic. Got me wanting to be a pro athlete now.”
“I think you need to keep your focus on art, Leilani. How you get winded after two bases?”
“First of all,” I held up one finger, ready to defend myself. “I’m not in shape. Second, my legs aren’t as long as yours. And third, those bases are too far apart. I felt like I was running for my life, but it was fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. You need to come to practice with me more often. I enjoyed you being there.”
I scooted closer to Banks and laid my head on his shoulder. “And I loved being there. I love being wherever you are.”
Banks kissed my sweaty forehead and held me. “I’m grateful for you, Leilani. Thank you for coming in and changing my heart, opening me up to see what love is. I can see something great continuing between us. Just bear with me. I’m still learning, but I’m trying with everything in me.”
My head rose off his shoulder. I placed my hands on the sides of his face and kissed him, long and deep. “You’re doing an amazing job, Banks. Like I told you before, it seems as if you’ve been in love before. The way you treat me has me on a high like no other. I’m beyond grateful for you and all you do, which is why I try to go above and beyond for you as well. I can’t wat to see where life takes us.”
“Me too, Lei. Me too.”
Two months later…
I adjusted my red tie in the mirror, putting the finishing touches on my suit for Leilani’s big night. It was the night of her exhibit with Blaque, and she was extremely nervous. Lately, she’d been working overtime on perfecting all her pieces. She would lock herself in the room for hours to the point I’d have to make her get out to eat and rest. After tonight, she’d be able to breathe again.
Leilani had been secretive about the theme of the exhibit. She said it was top secret, and Blaque wanted everyone to be surprised. She didn’t allow me in the room or anything while she worked. I couldn’t wait to see what she’d come up with.
Since she was already at the venue, I asked Paisley to ride with me. Of course, my sister wouldn’t miss it for the world. Just as I was brushing my hair and oiling my beard, I heard my front door open.
“I’ll be out in a minute, Pai!” I yelled out to her. I looked myself over in the mirror once more before spraying on my cologne and going out to meet her. My mouth clamped shut when I saw my parents standing there with her.
My mother was the first to speak, complimenting me as she strutted over to me and adjusted my tie. “Well, don’t you look nice, son.”
We hadn’t spoken much since I expressed how I felt, so I was baffled to see her. I opened my mouth to speak, but she held her finger up.
“Let me talk, Banks,” she demanded. A weary sigh parted her lips as tears clouded her eyes. “I heard you, Banks. I heard you, and I’m sorry. You know I love you and your siblings more than anything. You are right. I should’ve listened to you. I should’ve heard you and not pushed you so hard. It’s something I still need to work on, but I am more than willing to do the work. I love you.”
To hear her finally take accountability and acknowledge my feelings, healed parts of me she never would have imagined she’d damaged. I wrapped my arms around her body and kissed her forehead.
“Thank you, Mom. I needed to hear that. I love you too.”
