“No.” He laughs when a squeak slips out, as if I can’t contain the thrill of it all. “But I also can’t wait until it opens to the kids. You’ve done something amazing, Ryder.”
“I got the idea started, but you’ve made it something safe, Tweets,” he says. “You made it better than I could ever dream up alone.”
My face heats. The things that have changed since the night he called the police spin around in my head. I wouldn’t have Ryder back, I wouldn’t be partnering in a new venture where I’m free to design and put my own experiences into something big, something that might make a difference for other kids like me.
Not everyone will get a Jack and Marianne Williams, but maybe we can give them a soft place to fall. Maybe we can give them friendship, support, and what I hope is love and a whole lot of fun.
Charlie starts to complain about starving to death when Drake swings him over his shoulder.
Ryder and I gather the bat bags. He glances at his phone, and half a breath later lets out a loud whoop. He holds up his phone. “He’s cleared! Dax is cleared to go to Spring Training.”
Relief strikes me, hard and swift. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I guess I didn’t realize how important the Kings have become to me. I bounce on my toes and fling my arms around his neck, holding Ryder close as I read the text for myself.
He’s under intense supervision, but if he sticks to Skye’s program, his surgeon gave him the green light to play.
I kiss Ryder on the cheek, the bright grin on his face shredding my heart in the most beautiful ways. He cares deeply, even if he isn’t skilled at showing it, but the truth is written all over his face. The way his eyes are bright, the way his smile crosses the whole of his face, the way he keeps re-reading the text over and over.
My fingers play with the ends of his hair. “I love you.”
Ryder looks at me, his smile softens into the shy grin he saves for me. “I love you, Tweets. Always have.”
Ava
“No.”I put my hands on my hips. “I am not taking you out if you’re wearing that.”
Ryder stops in his bedroom doorway. One hand is frozen, buttoning his dress shirt sleeve around his wrist. The black fitted suit is too much.
He scans his delightful figure, confusion written all over his face. “What’s wrong with it?”
“I refuse to have my man dressing like an aphrodisiac.”
“Are you trying to control what I wear?” He laughs and pins me to his chest. “Switching the stereotypes?” His eyes scan my little red dress that clings to my curves pretty perfectly too. I spent an entire afternoon with Skye and Wren, trying to find the perfect dress for tonight’s dinner. He presses a greedy kiss to my neck. “I could say the same thing about my girl, but I happen to enjoy the view because it’s mine.”
He tightens his hold around my waist, dissolving the final sliver of space between us. I never knewminewas my thing, but from Ryder, he can stake his claim all he wants.
“Keep talking, sir, and I’ll make you late.”
“I hope you do.”
He kisses me, smiling against my mouth as we slowly stagger toward the front door, because the banquet is one hundred percent required to attend.
Somehow we manage to arrive on time to the field house. Gold fairy lights bring a brilliant, mystical glow to the front entrance. There is an open house before the dinner; a way to give guests a chance to see the finished product.
Ryder is mobbed almost immediately, but I get the opportunity to be the wallflower. I hold a flute of sparkling cider, keeping to the edges of the rooms as people marvel at the simplicity, yet functionality of the house. I’ve heard more than one compliment about how the house will be a kid’s dream hangout.
That is all I want.
“Ava?”
I spin around. “James?”
James saunters in with—ugh—Annika at his side. The last thing I need is Carina’s evil assistant to judge me tonight.
“What are you two doing here?” I ask.
James looks around. “We heard the place was finished, and I have a buddy who works with the analysts at the field. He hooked us up.”
I follow his gaze around the vintage posters of various athletes in sepia, to the old-fashioned popcorn cart, and study sections where kids can get tutoring after school. I’m not a flashy person, I don’t enjoy a lot of the spotlight, but I can’t help embracing a bit of pride at our work.
