The stadium erupts. Jordan and I jump up and down in each other’s arms, screaming and crying.
The Suns just won the World Series.
We settle down and turn back to the field right as Ryan’s finishing his lap around the bases. The second his foot connects with home plate, the team floods out onto the field and lifts him onto their shoulders, tossing him around in celebration. Someone else sneaks up behind with an orange drink cooler and dumps the contents of the electric blue sports drink over Ryan’s head.
When he’s back on his feet, he shakes the excess liquid from his hair all over the rest of the team. Pushing the stray hair off his face, he turns until he’s facing where Jordan and I are sitting.
I’m sure I look like a snotty, smiley mess as our eyes lock across the stadium, but he doesn’t look like he notices. Or if he does, he doesn’t care.
He jogs toward us until he reaches the wall at the bottom of the stands and waves his hand, beckoning me to him.
“Go!” Jordan says, shoving me out of our row.
“Am I even allowed down there?” I ask, unsure.
“Girl, you work for the damn team now! Pretty sure you can do whatever you want. Now go!”
“I’m not so sure that’s how that works!” I call to her over my shoulder with a laugh as I jog down the steps to meet Ryan. “What are you doing?” I ask him, breathless.
His entire face is lit up. Wide smile, a brightness to his eyes. “Wanted to see you.”
“You should be celebrating with the guys,” I argue, motioning behind him where they’re still all huddled up, taking turns spraying each other with champagne.
“I’m celebrating exactly how I want to. With my girl,” he says as he lifts his hand to cup my cheek and pulls me into him. His lips meet mine in a desperate, hungry kiss. He nips at my bottom lip and our tongues tangle, fighting for dominance. He groans into my mouth, sending shivers through my body.
I pull back abruptly. “If we don’t stop this is going to turn into a very R-rated celebration that I don’t think our bosses would want to see.”
He chuckles as he uses his thumb to swipe at the corner of his mouth. “I suppose you’re right. Best we save that for later. When we can celebrate”—he leans close, dropping his voice to a rough whisper—“all. Night. Long.”
Another shiver wracks my body before I break out of the lustful haze, shoving him away as he laughs. Fisting the front of his jersey, I pull him back to me. “I’m so proud of you,” I say softly. His eyes sparkle with the buildup of unshed tears. “Ti amo.”
“Fuck, you’re gonna make me cry, firecracker.” He gives me a watery smile before he yanks me in for a firm hug. He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I love you so much. I’m so happy you were here to see us win.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” I whisper, holding him tight to me.
EPILOGUE
ISABELLA
Six Months Later
“Hi Annie!”I greet her with a bright smile. She pulls me into a hug while the crew finishes removing her earpiece. “Who did you guys have to bribe to get the home opener privileges?” I ask with a smirk, knowing full well I was in the meeting to help set up the broadcaster schedule.
“How are you? Ready for the season to start?”
“You’d think I’d be tired of all this by now, considering how against it I was in the beginning,” I say with a laugh. “I’m actually looking forward to it though.”
“That’s because I’ve converted her!” Ryan’s voice comes from over my shoulder as he wraps his arms around my middle, tugging me into his hold. I peek over my shoulder and see a proud smile on his face, blue eyes twinkling.
“You wish,” I say, folding my arms over my chest.
He plants a quick kiss on my cheek before addressing Annie, “Don’t let her fool you. I’ve turned her into a baseball fan. You should’ve seen her at spring training! Screaming like a banshee for the team.” He shoots me a wink, and I roll my eyes.
He’s not wrong.
I’ve gotten weirdly into this sport, and I was one hundred percent screaming and cheering for the guys when I was able to sneak away to see some of their spring training games in Arizona a couple weeks ago.
“Don’t you have a game to be preparing for?” I ask him with a raised eyebrow.
