"What do you think? You got room for one more on your team?"
I shake my head, smiling. "Yeah, I think we can work something out."
Mack presses his lips together tightly and nods, squeezing my shoulder before stepping aside.
Jace fills his spot, grin firmly in place. "The ball always did seem to find you, old man," he says as he moves in closer. He claps me on the shoulder, then pulls me in for a hug.
I smack his back, laughing. "It helps when you don't go looking for it."
In perfect timing, he releases me, gesturing toward the dugout, and that's when I see it—the real reason to celebrate.
Ruthie rushes toward me, tears in her eyes that she pretends aren't there as she throws her arms around my waist. "I love you, Daddy," is all she says, but that alone says it all.
"I love you too, Roo," I grind out.
She slides next to me as Levi steps up, dropping both hands onto my shoulders. "I'm proud of you, big brother."
I don't say anything. I simply fall into him, and he holds me tight as I fight back tears.
"Hey, congrats," Alex says, when we pull apart.
I hug her too, sniffling as I drop to one knee. "You better be ready, kid," I say to her growing belly. "Grass, not ice—remember that."
"Alright, alright," Levi says, nudging me. He pulls Ruthie to him as Mack taps his arm. The four of them gather as I chuckle and stand.
Just in time to see my girl.
Beautiful.
"Hi," Tessa says, pressing her chest against mine.
I kiss her with every ounce of love that I have, then force myself to break away just enough to breathe her in. "I missed you today," I say, brushing her cheek.
"Good." She winks. "Because after this, you're all ours."
I kiss her again—gently this time. "How was the movie?"
She tilts her head. "Did I need to see another one about zombie-teen pop bands?"
I wait for the answer.
"Yes." She chuckles. "But also…"
I arch a brow.
"She beat the claw machine."
"No," I drag out.
Tessa nods. "Yep, a stuffed shark."
"Would you look at that?"
She purses her lips. "Worth the wait."
My eyes flick between hers, recognition reflecting back at me. I grab the strings of my sweatshirt and pull her in close, running my fingers down the length of the chords. "Always is."
The field begins to clear and the hum around us starts to fade, but the buzz between Tessa and me still lingers stronger than ever.
