AllFreeNovel
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It’s the top of the ninth inning. McKee is winning, 5-3.
I take off running.
It’s not a conscious decision. It’s not even a thought. It’s a feeling, singing through me, propelling me forward. I nearly collide with a couple, but twist away in time, and sidestep an old guy. I think he shouts a curse at me, but I don’t care. Penny calls my name, but I don’t look back.
Once I’m past the netting protecting the space behind home plate and the foul lines, I hop the fence, kicking up dirt. It’s hot out here without shade; the sky a deep, cloudless blue. Distantly, I hear the shouts of people realizing what’s happening, but I don’t give anyone a chance to catch up to me. I just step out of my shoes and sprint barefoot across the grass.
Julio stares as I run by.
Rafael whistles.
An umpire shouts for me to get off the field, but I don’t turn my head, and I definitely don’t listen.
I don’t pay attention to anyone except the man standing in left field, looking at me.
My man. My love. My future.
When I’m close enough, I launch myself at him, sending him staggering backwards as he catches me. His glove falls to the ground, along with his baseball cap. I pull his sunglasses off and cup his face with both hands, kissing him with as much force as I can muster. He tastes like lip balm and sweat, my favorite combination, and his skin is warm from standing out here in the sun. He’s frozen for a moment, just long enough to send a wave of panic through me, but then he fists his hand in my hair and kisses me back, and something clicks into place in my soul.
I never want to go another day without one of his kisses. Never.
“I’m sorry,” I breathe out against his lips. “I’m sorry for all of it.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he whispers.
“I am. I left you. I let myself stay scared.” I smudge my thumb over his eye black as I cradle his jaw, pressing another kiss to his lips. “But I love you, Sebastian Callahan. I love you and I’m never letting you go again. Come on an adventure to Europe with me.”
His green eyes are shining. He tucks my hair behind my ear, a blindingly beautiful smile on his lips. “You got into the program?”
I nod, too choked up to speak. He pulls me into another hug, spinning me around. “Hell fucking yeah, di Angelo! I’m so proud of you!”
“I want you to be there,” I say through wet laughter. “Start your career in Switzerland with me. Please.”
“Callahan!” someone shouts. “Come on, man!”
“My girlfriend just got into a fucking awesome study abroad program! Give me a second!” he calls.
He takes both of my hands in his, squeezing tightly. “Absolutely. We can start planning it right away. You know why?”
I smile. I feel so warm, I might catch fire. “Why?”
“Because I love you too.” He leans in for another kiss, his lips lingering on mine. “Feels like I’ve loved you forever, you know.”
“I know that now.” I wipe at my eyes with the heel of my hand. My smile is wobbling, but I don’t care. “I know you mean it.”
“More than anything in the world, angel.” He leans in a bit, tugging on the ends of my hair. “You know that everyone in the stadium is staring at us, right?”
“Absolutely.” I bite my lip as I smile. “I’m probably going to be banned for life, so it’s a good thing this is your last game.”
He bursts into laughter. “There’s my girl.”
He scoops up his hat and glove, then picks me up. I loop my arms around his neck as he starts walking across the field. It’s ridiculous, I can’t stop blushing, but at the same time, I don’t care enough to twist out of his grip. I want everyone to know I’m his.
“The game isn’t over, you know.” I crane my neck for a glimpse of the scoreboard. “Only two outs.”
“They’ll have to start carrying on without me sometime.” He hefts me even closer. “I want to hear all about the symposium. And the haircut. Looks good, by the way.”
“I can’t believe you convinced my family to come.”
