Page 154 of Home Field Advantage
I pull her inside by interlocking my hand in hers, and close the door behind us. I guide her over to the couch and take a seat next to her. “When I left the other day, it was because I had a meeting in San Francisco to decide my future as the head coach of the Staghorns. When I last saw you and begged you to tell me to stay, I didn’t know what my plan was yet. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t jumping into anything without thinking.” I bring her hand to rest on my thigh, tightening my hold on her. “The thing is, I couldn’t make a decision. I knew then and there it’s because this is where my heart is. Here in Bluestone Lakes with you.”
“You want to stay?”
I nod. “I want to stay, honey. Not because you told me to, and not because I failed at being a coach in the city, but because this is my home. You’ve had me wrapped around your finger from the moment I first laid eyes on you in the coffee shop, and every moment after that, you only tightened the rope.”
She smiles at that, looking down at where our hands are connected. “I love you, Dallas. I do. I’m scared of this feeling because I’ve never felt it before. I don’t want to screw this up.”
“You couldn’t screw it up even if you tried.”
Sniffles from around the corner force both of our heads tosnap down the hall, only to see Sage standing there, creeping around the corner.
“Sage? I thought you were in bed, bug.”
“I heard Poppy’s voice, and I wanted to come see her,” she says, making her way to where we’re sitting, settling herself on my thigh. “Are we staying here, Daddy?”
“We still have some stuff to figure out with your mom, but yeah,” I say, pausing to look at Poppy and smiling. “We’re staying, if that’s okay with you.”
“And will Poppy be your girlfriend?”
Poppy’s cheeks blush as she averts her gaze.
“Only if she wants to be.”
“I heard her say she loves you, Daddy. I think that’s what married people say to each other.”
I lean in to whisper in Sage’s ear, but keep my voice loud enough that Poppy can hear the next thing I’m going to say. “Someday I will marry her, bug. Mark my words.”
Poppy brings her fingertips to her lips and sucks in a sharp breath before her cheeks turn pink and she relaxes into a smile.My girl.
“I love that,” she whispers back, smiling from ear to ear. “That plan is better than any ice cream date night ever.”
“I think this deserves an ice cream night, huh?” Poppy says.
“Yes! Right now!”
“It’s getting late, bug,” I say to Sage. “And besides, Poppy probably has things to do before getting ready for bed.”
Poppy stands from the couch, extending her hand for Sage to take, and she does. “This is exactly what I want to do tonight. I have cotton candy ice cream and a baseball puzzle that’s almost done at my house if you want to come over.”
“Yes! Can we please, Daddy?”
I shake my head in disbelief, smiling as big as Sage is before standing from the couch. “Only if you’re positive, Poppy.”
She holds Sage’s hand, hooking her other arm in mine. “I’venever been more sure of anything in my life.” And then she lifts on her toes and kisses me.
“Yay!” Sage cheers, forcing us to laugh against each other’s lips.
I lift Sage in my arms, take Poppy’s hand in mine, and close up the house behind me.
Because I too, have never been more sure of anything.
EPILOGUE
TWO MONTHS LATER.
Dallas
“All right, huddle up,” I shout to the team as they gather around me in a tight circle. Placing my hands on my thighs, I lean down to their level. I take each of them in and think about how far each of these kids has come since our first practice in the school gym. There’s no more riding the bats like horses or running in circles. They shifted focus from snacks and juice boxes to learning the game.
