"Being a part of your little family would be such an honor. You have to believe that. But do I even deserve such a huge gift if I can't even let go enough to open up about the little things?"
His thumb stills against my hand, his grip tightening slightly as if he's choosing every word with care.
"Tess," he starts. "I know being with me comes with extra pressure—what with Ruthie and everything else going on. But you didn't fail us by not telling me what was going on."
I suck in a breath.
"You're just not used to that. It's not comfortable or familiar, and that's okay."
His jaw ticks before he continues.
"My entire life I've had to depend on other people—baseball's not really a game you can play on your own. And when you're on a team, there's no other option but to communicate openly. I have to know when to intervene—to cover a base, to cover a teammate. I can't just guess when my pitcher intends to pick off the runner or what the game plan is for my next at-bat."
He slides his palm from mine and places it on my shoulder, looking at me intensely.
"But maybe you're just not used to being on the same kind of team." His hand slowly trails down the length of my arm. "Or maybe your team has let you down in the past and now you keep things closer to your chest."
My throat works to fight the emotion that settles there.How doeshe always see me?
"I don't need you to be whatever form of perfect you think I deserve, Tessa," he continues. "I just need you to let me keep showing up. Let me prove that you're safe with me. That, when you're ready, you can trust me with every thought, every feeling. Every worry or concern."
He dips a hand past my cheek, cradling my face, and I lean into his touch.
"I choose you exactly as you are, Hastings. Strong, kind…" He grins shyly. "Maybe a little guarded."
A laugh escapes from my throat as a tear slips from one corner of my eye.
Liam brushes it away, his expression more serious. "Always putting someone else first."
My mouth curls into the faintest smile, and his eyes dip to my lips as he runs his thumb across them.
"For the record," he adds. "I don't need you tobethe light or turn it on. I don't even need to keep it on foryouif you don't want me to."
I shift an inch closer to him, that same pull as always, closing what's left of the gap between us.
"I just need you to stick around at the end of a long day." He swallows hard. "Or a long season… and just sit with me when the darkness falls."
My fingers find the hem of his shirt, and I bunch it slightly, tugging him toward me. "I can do that," I say, my voice thick. "Iwantto do that."
Liam's hand slides to the back of my head, and he pulls me so our lips are so close our breaths intertwine. He drops his forehead to mine, letting his eyes slink shut and inhaling deeply. "Then that's more than enough."
44
Liam
Tessa presses her lips to mine, and it somehow feels different from every other time. It's better, more solid. Filled with less hope and more promise. But also with the weight of everything we've held back.
I breathe in deep, committing this particular kiss to memory—her hands at my waist, fingers wrapped in my shirt. Her eyes closed, hair falling, lips soft and full…
And mine.
I glide my tongue across her mouth, asking for permission to deepen it. To taste her. To meet mine with hers. Tessa opens for me, whimpering when I dive in fully and pull gently at the hair I've now wrapped around my fist.
Even in the heat of the moment, I can feel her subtle pauses, the tiny hesitations that aren't just passion—they're caution. The carefulness I promised to protect.
"Where's Ruthie?" She breaks away just enough to ask, and I search her face, wondering how I could be so damn lucky that she cares—and remembering how much responsibility she's already carrying.
"She's with Jace, believe it or not." I lean back down to pepper soft kisses up the side of her neck, and she tilts her head to allow me access.
