Page 104 of Pitcher Us
Looking out at my boss, I freeze. They can’t be serious right now.
Adam takes my hand as he slowly starts to pull me back out of my safe zone and, to solidify my anxieties, the announcer comes over the microphone. “Tonight’s ceremonial first pitchwill be thrown by the Blue’s incredibly talented photographer, Callie Reyer!”
“Adam,” I mumble. “I’m going to kill you.”
Adam squeezes my hand as we reach the pitcher’s mound. “Oh, come on, it will be good. I promise.”
Adam takes a step back to grab a ball, while I take an unfortunate look at the completely packed stadium. I'm overwhelmed at the amount of people. How Will does this every game is beyond me.
Where is he anyway?
“Here you are, lil’ sis,” Adam says, pulling me away from the crowd and handing me a ball to throw. “You ready?”
“Am I not throwing it to you?”
Adam simply smiles and takes a step back.
“Hey, Blaze,” Will calls as he walks up to home plate. “Show me how it’s done.”
Shaking my head, I bite my lip for a moment to hold back my comment. I must have been too distracted by the crowd to notice but every player on the Blues is out of the dugout now. Half of the guys are usually getting into game-time mode during this part. And now I have to throw a pitch to my starting pitcher boyfriend. Fuck, guys, the pressure.
I glance back to Adam and he gives me a small nod for me to go ahead and throw it. Taking one more deep breath, I push all the outside stuff away and focus on Will. No one else is here right now. I’m just throwing a ball to the love of my life.
Rearing back, I send the ball straight into Will’s glove. Is it as fast or as beautiful as his? No. Not even close. But it’s decent, he taught me well.
Will stands up with a smile on his handsome face and starts to walk toward me. Unable to help myself, I meet him halfway. I know we’re working, but I feel I deserve at least a quick “good job” kiss. I can keep it PG.
“Nice job, baby. You trying to put me out of a job?” Will half yells as the crowd continues to cheer.
I think the announcer is saying something but as I reach Will, I’ve completely tuned them all out.
“We both know you have skills to fall back on.” I hint at our never-ending tea shop joke.
Will smirks and tosses me the ball back. “You get to keep the ball. And don’t worry, I signed it for you.”
“You did not.” I let out a small chuckle as I look down at the ball, turning it to look for Will's scribbled signature. Every word, syllable, and breath is knocked out of me when I read the wordsWill you marry me, Blaze?
The crowd’s noise becomes unignorable, and I look up to find Will down on one knee with a ring box open in his hand.
“We might have to get a bigger place, but what do you say, Callie? Want to put our wedding pictures up on the wall?”
Tears well in my eyes and I don’t hesitate. “Yes!” I drop to my knees and wrap my arms around his shoulders.
Tears stream down my face as I hold on to him tighter. “Yes,” I repeat barely above a whisper. It’s the only word I can manage—a ramble has been knocked out of me.
Will wraps his arms around my waist as he stands us both back up. “Then let’s make it official.”
Pulling my left arm down Will places a gorgeous engagement ring on my finger. It’s got a solid gold band with two pear-shaped stones mirroring each other, and are at least three carats each. One a diamond and one a beautiful orange sapphire.
The moment the ring is completely on, I cup Will’s face and pull him in for that “good job” kiss. The man deserves it.
The crowd roars again and the moment I pull back to tell Will how much I love him we’re swarmed by the team.
There’s endless rounds of congratulations and hugs. Even Miles comes out with Will’s sisters and mom to tell me how he’shappy that I’m happy. Adam might deny it till the day he dies, but I saw the hint of water pooling in his eyes as he wrapped me up in a hug.
Beck slings his arm around my shoulder. “We’ve got a kick ass after party too. I sweet talked Jenni-cakes into doing some small tattoos. I told her I wanted ‘Will + Callie’ in a heart on my arm.”
Will lightly shoves Beck back so he can pull me to him. “Maybe when you see it in permanent ink you’ll remember to keep your hands off my fiancée.”
