Veer (Clayton Falls) (34 page)

“Having fun?” I teased, putting an arm around her when she sat back down.

“Yeah, but when are you going to tell me what’s up
?
I mean, why the special treatment
?
Do all former players get it?”

I bit back a smile. “Just wait.”

“This whole man of mystery act is getting old.”

“What are you talking about
?
I’m always a man of mystery
. I
t’s not an act.”

She gave me that adorable pout of hers. “Gavin, please.”

“Just watch the game.”

We got a
couple
more beers and the game moved quickly
. B
efore long
,
it was the seventh inning stretch.

“I think I’m going to run to the restroom.” Becca started to get up.

“No, you should wait.”

“Okay.”

She settled back down just as the announcer started in.

“Ladies and Gentleman, it’s
the
time of the season to welcome back some of our mos
t honored former players. First, he led us to one of our most successful seasons in 1992 and went on to a long and successful career of nearly
twenty
years with the Atlanta Braves
.
I would like to introduce Chipper Jones.”

The crow
d
loudly applauded as he slowly walked onto the field. I could feel my nerves beginning to set in
as
the announcer continued.

“Next, I
have the pleasure of introducing
one of
the
most beloved players in our sports club. He holds the record for the most strikeouts in a gam
e and
is
the
only pitcher to have two
no hitters in a single season. Please welcome back Gavin Powell.”

As I
started
to walk to the
field,
the audience
rose
to their feet and yell
ed
. I could see the shock o
n Becca’s face as I let
go of
her hand.

“Our guests today will be awarded with a plaque for their contributions to the club and will be available after the game for
a
signing event.”

It was almost surreal being on the field. I
hadn’t
look
ed
back when I
’d
left three years before, but standing there that night
,
I couldn’t believe I’d stayed away so long.

As I took my seat again
,
Becca leaned over
.
“So do I get an autograph?”

“You can have a lot more than an autograph.” I raised an eyebrow.

“
Really? And I thought I was just another one of your groupies.”

“You’ll never be just another anything
. D
on’t forget it.” I settled my hand on her leg as we watched the rest of the game. The Bulls pulled out a 4 to 1 win, making it an even better evening.

After the game
,
we walked over to a large tent set up behind the field for a meet
and
greet
.
I was worried it would be overwhelming for Becca, but she
w
as a
natural. She didn’t even seem flustered. For someone terrified to meet my family, she had no issues hanging out with this group.

Dawn used to hate when I left her alone at events. She’d mope around the whole time and always wanted me to make it up to her afterward. Becca seemed to be having a great time. Every time I looked over at her
,
she was smiling.

I signed the last of the autographs and join
ed
Becca.
She nibbled
happily
on something.

“I thought you were never going to eat again.”

“
They’re
chocolate covered strawberries
. T
hey don’t count.”

I laughed. “Okay, but then I need to have one.”

After eating three strawberries
,
I noticed a familiar face heading ou
r
way.

“Do my eyes deceive me
,
or am I actually in the presence of the Gavin Powell
?”

“Gary, hey.” I shook hands and then hugged my old pitching coach.

“And who is this?” He turned his attention to Becca.

“Becca
Harris
. Nice
to meet you.
”
She shook his hand.

“How’d you get yourself messed up with this one?”

“
He came to my rescue
,
and I h
aven’t been able to stay away since
.”

“Nice. Maybe you’re the reason he keeps avoiding my calls.”

“Calls?” She looked at me questioningly.

“Oh, so he hasn’t even told you. I’ve been on his case about coming out to Tampa with me. We could definitely use him.”

“No, he didn’t tell me anything about it.”

I expected her to get annoyed
,
but she surprised me by putting her hand in mine. “He’s always so modest.”

Gary smiled. “At least promise to stay in touch this time, Gavin.”

“Sure, I’ll do one better. I’ll give you a call next week.”

Gary’s eyes widened in surprise. “You do that.”

We left soon after. We had a two hour drive back
,
and it was already late. Becca took off her heels as soon as we got in the car.

“Thanks for coming
. I
t was a lot easier with you there.”

“Thanks for t
aking me
. T
hat was really cool. You’re really cool.”

“I’m cool, huh? Well you
’
r
e
pretty cool
,
yourself. And by the way, thanks.”

“For?” She fidgeted in her seat so she could
see
me better.

“I don’t know
. B
eing you
,
I guess.”

“Oh. Well, it’s just so hard, I don’t know how I do it.”

I laughed.

She started to
run her fingers down my arm
.
I loved when she did that. “I don’t want to get into anything, but why didn’t you tell me about Tampa? I mean
,
if it’s your dream and all…”

“Because I wasn’t ready. Hell, it took me three years just to go back to that stadium.”

“Well you seemed right at home. I still can’t believe my boyfriend holds the record for
the most strikeouts in a game
.”

It was nice to hear her call me her boyfriend.
She’d said it earlier, but this time it wasn’t because someone mistakenly thought we were married.
At least I knew where we stood in her eyes—the same place we did in mine.

We rode in silence for a
while, and I turned o
ff the interstate toward town.

“If it’s okay with you, you don’t need to drop me off.”

I’d thought she was sleeping and was wondering how to approach the topic. We’d
been apart less than a week
,
but it seemed like forever
.
I wasn’t sure whether I could just assume
she’d want to come home with me,
especially after ou
r
fight. But I needed her
.
I needed to spend every last second with her before she left. I’d have to get time off
work
.

“It’s more than okay with me.
”
I reached over and took her hand.

I pulled into the driveway, feeling a whole lot more relaxed than I had been when I
’d
left.
We took Max for a walk before
coming back and
settling into our usual spots on the couch. She looked out at the water even though she couldn’t have seen much of anything in the darkness.

I put an arm around her
,
and she leaned into me. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“
I’ve missed you, too
.”

“I don’t want to leave.”

“I know, but we’ll make it work.”

“You still think so?”

“Of course. If anything
,
I’m more determined now. I need you in my life.”

She shifted
,
and at first I thought she was pulling away
,
but instead she got into my lap, straddling me
the way she did our
first night together. Before I could even register it
,
she kiss
ed
me.

I let her take the lead, more than willing to hand control over to her for a while. I loved that she felt comfortable enough with me to do it.

She suddenly stopped, hands stilling in their gradual descent. “You’re going to visit me
,
right?”

“Of course.” I’d be visiting her more than she could imagine
.
I finally knew how I was going to make her feel safe.

“Good.” Her hands moved again
,
and I decided it was my turn to take over
.
I flipped her down on the couch and followed behind her. As upset as it made her that first time
,
I realized it was the words and not the action.

She giggled, having no problem with her new position.

I grinned.
“You weren’t moving fast enough.”

“No, I wasn’t
,
was I
?”

I undressed her quickly, enjoying the process just as mu
ch now as I
had
the first time,
just as much as I knew I’d enjoy doing it for the rest of my life. I’d already know
n
it for a long time
,
but I was never letting Becca go. If our
time
apart
had
taught me anything
,
it was that I’d do anything to keep her in my life—and after our night
,
I
’d
finally figured out how.

Chapter
Thirty
-
Three

Becca

I woke up in Gavin’s arms
as
the sun streaked in the window.
I snuggled into him, not wanting th
e moment to end. The lyrics to every song I knew about saying goodbye
flowed
through my head as I ran my hand down
his
chest
. He murmured something before pulling me closer.
I closed my eyes and tried to memorize how it felt to be held by him, how it felt to be so complete. His skin felt warm against mine, and I even liked the way his stubble scratched my cheek.

T
he tears started. I didn’t want to leave him
.
I had no idea how I was supposed to survive
the distance. We’d wasted so much time, and all I wanted to do was go back and make up for every second of it. I wished I’d spent every night with him, had woken up with him every morning. I wished I hadn’t taken him for granted. I’d never expected to fall in love
,
but over the course of a few months
,
I’d become completely attached to a man I knew I c
ould no longer live without.

“Are you okay, baby?” Gavin
said softly.

I opened my eyes.
“I don’t want to leave.”

“I don’t want you to leave.”

“I’m scared.”

“Of leaving?”
He absently played with my hair the way he did so often.

“Of everything. Of being apart, of being alone…”

“I know. But I have a surprise that might help a little.”

“What?” I looked up at h
i
m hopefully.

“He’s currently sleeping over there.
”
I followed his gaze over to where Max slept curled up on his bed.

“Max? Wait
,
are you saying I can borrow
your dog
?”