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The Run Back Home

Page 123

by Cassandra Moll

But I already know without even trying that it won't be enough.

Nothing but the real thing will ever be enough again when it comes to her.

When it comes to anyone maybe.

So, instead, I sit up, kicking off the blankets. I type out a message to our clubhouse manager, then open my text chain with Lenny again.

Smiling, I respond.

I'll leave two tickets at Will Call. Just give them my name. I'll see ya there.

The first inning comes and goes, and still… no Lenny.

She said she'd be late, so it shouldn't surprise me. And I've got a couple of Pirates out for blood that should definitely be my main concern.

But of course… they aren't.

What's worse is Mom, Tom, and Vienna aren't here either. V is still sore from surgery, so every second my eyes aren't on the ball, they seem to drift back to the two empty seats right above the dugout.

Music blasts through the stadium speakers, fans jumping to their feet and waving their hands as Goldie the Gator fires the t-shirt cannon from his tractor. I hustle in from the field, my eyes locked on the dirt as I do my best to avoid staring at the open space.

I'm almost to the dugout when the pull gets so strong I have to steal one more look before ducking between the railings.

I freeze when I do, forcing one of the rookies to dodge around me at the very last second.

Because at that exact moment—

She shows up.

The stadium lights stream over her as she treks down the aisle from the concourse, a golden streak bouncing off the black in her hair like it's meant to be there—her smile brighter still.

Dylan follows right behind her, both of them in Gators' jerseys—Dylan's three sizes too big and knotted at her waist.

Lenny's fits better—tight enough that I can see every curve I'm still craving—and my pulse quickens as I anticipate her turning around. When she finally spots me from just a few rows behind the fence, her whole face lights up. She lifts her hand, waving casually as she walks the few extra steps it takes to reach her seat.

I jog toward her, a grin already pulling at my mouth, and I can practically hear the shit the guys are gonna give me later—but I don't care.

Lenny's here.

She's here, and she's beautiful.

She's here, and she's beautiful, and she's wearing—

JJ's jersey?

I nearly stumble over the painted white line on the dirt when Lenny glances behind her to see where the most recent Goldie t-shirt was slung, showing off her back.

She turns toward me again as I make it to the fence. "Hey, what are you—"

"Turn around for me, please."

Lenny glances at Dylan, then back at me. "What?" she asks through a chuckle, confusion lacing her voice.

"Not a big greeter, are ya, Jace?" Dylan jokes.

I drag in a slow breath, hands settling on my hips, eyes dragging away from Lenny as last minute as possible. "Hey," I offer her.

Dylan grins, shaking her head.