Page 99 of Throwing the Curve

“I’m here,” she whispered.

He stepped closer to her. When she didn’t back away, he stepped closer still. “What’s this mean?”

Peyton looked at him, then nervously at the surrounding crowd. “It means I talked to Kendall and actually listened to what she had to say, and here I am.”

Ignoring the crowd, he pressed, “So you forgive me?”

“I wouldn’t say I forgive you. But we can talk about everything after the game,” Peyton told him.

“Fuck the game,” he growled.

“Whoa, dude,” the male behind him chirped.

Ignoring signature dude’s attempt to interrupt, he focused on the amazing woman in front of him. “You are more important.” He clamped his hand into a fist to stop himself from reaching out to touch her until he knew why she was here for sure.

Peyton’s eyes filled, and she gave him a watery smile. “Ryan, I wanted to be here for you, so go play. I’ll be here when you’re done, and we can talk.”

Screw it. He cupped the back of her neck and pulled her closer to him and held her, so she had to look him in the face. “Peyton, nothing is more important to me than you. Why are you really here?”

“Because I love you so…” She shrugged like that said it all.

And it did.

A smile split across his face. “You love me?”

“Yes, you idiot, I love you.”

“Thank god.” He crushed his mouth to hers. Cheers erupted around them, reminding him exactly where he was. “I love you too,” he whispered against her mouth before he pulled back.

Peyton’s cheeks were a bright red as she tried to duck her head and hide. He put his finger under her chin and lifted her head. “Don’t. I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, and he laughed. “We’ll talk,” she said. “Now get back down there. You’ve got a game to win.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Unable to stop himself, he leaned in and placed another kiss on her lips. “I’m going to kick some major ass down there,” he told her. And the crowd around them erupted again. Definitely no such thing as privacy in a stadium full of people.

“Good. Now go.” She pushed against his chest.

“Love you,” he called as he turned and jogged back down the stairs. Security waited at the railing and ensured no one got in his way as he climbed back over the railing onto the field.

“I know, I know.” He held up his hands to hold the coaches off from speaking. “But trust me, my head is on straighter than it has ever been.” He made eye contact with Cal. Hoping the manager didn’t toss him on the bench. “I got this.” He looked at Coach Gill and tried to relay with his expression that he’d heard him earlier, and he was in the right head space. Finally, the pitching coach nodded in understanding.

Turning to the manager, Ryan said, “Cal, I know I shouldn’t have run into the stands. But I am going to pitch the game of my life today. You will not regret leaving me in.”

Cal rested his hands on his hips and looked at Ryan for several seconds, then gave a head tilt to Mark. The two stepped away and spoke quietly while Ryan watched on anxiously. There was a very real possibility he was benched for what he’d done.

Mark spoke while Cal listened. Man, he hoped his pitching coach was going to bat for him. He glanced up at the stands and instantly saw Peyton in the crowd of people. Regardless, it had been worth it.

Finally, Cal and Mark stepped back to him. “You better pitch the game of your life.” Cal reached out and pressed the ball into Ryan’s chest.

Taking the ball, Ryan squeezed it tightly in his hand and let out the breath he’d been holding. “Absolutely. Thank you, sir.”

“Get warmed up.” Cal shook his head at Ryan like he couldn’t even process what had happened. He probably couldn’t. It wasn’t like players ran into the stands every day.

Ryan watched as the two men walked back toward the dugout, then turned to look at Pete. His best friend shook his head and laughed. Gonzo flashed him a thumbs up from his place near third. It was going to be a great game.

He turned back around and gave the signal to Patel to toss him the ball so he could warm up. After a few warm-up pitches, the ump stepped up to the plate and called for the game to start. Ryan had never been more ready in his life.

Peyton stood beside Kendall in the hallway after the game as they waited for their guys to come out.

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