by Dania Voss
“Don’t do that. I don’t want you rushing around because of me. Take your time. Experience everything at your own pace. When you’re ready, then I’ll send for you. Just as long as you’re there for the World Series, if we make it.” Luke squeezed her tight, and she let out a sigh. Although she would have hurried to get back to Luke, she was relieved he didn’t want her to, knowing how important college was to her.
They both yawned, the stressful day taking its toll and coming to an end. Luke leaned over and dug round in her nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom. As tired as she was, she knew it would be a while before they would be together again. Her body warmed and tingled.
“I know we should get to sleep, but…” Luke said after he rolled the condom on and positioned himself on top of her. Luke’s finger traced the softness of her lower lip, and she trembled in his arms. “I need you once more before I leave in the morning,” he whispered.
He nuzzled her neck, and her nipples pebbled and her slit got slick. It was always like this with him. Before she knew it, his mouth was on hers, telling her without words how much he loved her. Luke’s mouth was tender, kissing away all her doubts and sadness. He kissed her again and again, each one sending sparks of electricity through her veins.
His lips worked hers, making her dizzy, and then he slid his cock inside her until he filled her completely. She held him tight as he slowly thrusted in and out of her, taking his time, trying to make their final night together last as long as it could.
They tenderly made love as they whispered words of love and made promises for the future they’d spend together. Side by side, forever. Abbey clung to Luke as she crashed over with him following soon after.
As their ragged breaths began returning to normal, she felt him softening inside her. She sighed as he pulled out of her, wishing they had more time, but feeling sleep was ready to claim her at any moment.
“I love you so much, Luke,” she whispered.
He smiled down at her and wiped a strand of sweat-dampened hair away from her forehead. “I love you, too, princess. We’re so lucky we have each other. Our life together is going to be amazing. I promise. You’ll see.”
After Luke ditched the condom and they settled down to get some much-needed sleep, she believed in her heart and soul he was right. She couldn’t wait for their future to begin.
Epilogue
Sunday, October 28th
103rd World Series—Game 4
Chicago Cobras vs. Colorado Rockies
Abbey picked at her fingernails as she paced in the Cobras’ dugout. Darren, Jesse, and the rest of the team hadn’t said a word. Even asshole Earl had shut the hell up for a change. She felt a rolling, fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach. The rest of the team was silent because they were as worried as she was.
The Cobras were closing in on the end of game four against the Colorado Rockies. They’d won the first three games, with Luke pitching a few innings in each game. But if they won tonight, they’d win the World Series outright. The decision had been made to start Jeff Norten, a more seasoned and experienced pitcher.
But Jeff had pitched a long, hard game. He was getting tired, and it showed. The Cobras were leading two to one. It was the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies had a man on first and second with two outs, after just scoring. They were minutes away from winning the series or having to play at least another game.
“I need to pull Jeff out. He’s done. Luke’s warmed up and ready to go,” Jesse announced to everyone in the dugout and signaled to the pitcher’s mound.
“But Pete Myers is next up at bat. We’re fucked. Sorry, Abbey,” Evan Williams, one of the Cobras’ best batters, said.
By now, Abbey had become pretty used to the guys on the team swearing. She didn’t want them changing how they talked or acted on her account. They had been respectful of her, many of them bringing their wives and girlfriends on the road, too.
“We are not fucked. Luke’s a big reason we’re here, and you all know that. He’s worked his ass off for this team. I don’t give a shit that Darren’s down here with us, but I sure as hell expected a little more from all of you.”
Evan looked at his teammates for support. “We know he’s worked hard. Hell, he’s a natural. Maybe a few of us are a little jealous. But this rivalry with Myers. Luke’s been trying to strike him out for weeks. He’s up to two strikes and that’s amazing, but all we need is a ground ball to get the third out and win this thing.” The rest of the team nodded but remained silent.
“You’re right. That’s what we’ll tell him to do. But he if goes off on his own and tries to strike Myers out anyway, you’ll just have to deal with playing another game.”
The entire dugout moaned and threw their hands up. “That’s enough!” Darren shouted.
It was the first time Abbey had ever heard Darren raise his voice. A chill ran down Abbey’s spine, and she took her place beside him. She reached for his hand, relieved when he took hers in his and squeezed gently.
“I don’t give a shit that he’s my boy, and neither should you. He’s proven his worth to this team over and over again, and treated you all with more respect than you’ve shown him. Not once has he complained. He’s just worked harder. You all get paid plenty, and if you have to play another fucking game, so be it. But you won’t have to. He’ll win this thing, and if you don’t show him the respect he deserves after that, then maybe this ball club doesn’t deserve him.”
Abbey got goosebumps, and all the players, Jesse, and Earl were stunned silent.
Jesse nodded and made quick work of heading to the pitcher’s mound. The crowd roared as Jeff waved his ballcap to them and headed back to the dugout. The team clapped him on the back, offering their support for his efforts so far. He’d pitched a good game.
“It’ll be all right, Abbey. You’ll see,” Darren whispered in her ear.
She nodded, hoping Darren was right. The crowd leaped to their feet when the first guitar licks of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” began to play. A thrill shot through her as the stadium shouted Thunder! along with the song. It had yet to stop being amazing.
Luke reached the pitcher’s mound from the bullpen and acknowledged the crowd briefly and glanced toward the dugout. Those infamous butterflies took flight in her stomach when their eyes met. I love you, she mouthed, still holding Darren’s hand. Luke touched the brim of his cap and nodded slightly. His special sign for “I love you, too”.
Pete Myers took his place at bat, and Luke visibly sighed. She didn’t blame him. Pete was an asshole, and everyone knew it.
Abbey watched as everyone else did when Luke looked up at the night sky and closed his eyes. Darren squeezed her hand. “I told you, Abbey, it’s going to be all right. You’ll see,” he repeated to her.
After a few moments, Luke smiled and nodded. Opening his eyes, he focused his attention on Pete Myers, who was smirking back at him. With a murderous expression on his face, he pointed to Myers, and it looked like he said “I’m coming for you”. The entire stadium erupted in cheers and applause, and Myers glanced around nervously, even as he chuckled, trying to play it off.
****
Luke tuned out the roar of the crowd after telling Pete Myers the asshole, he was coming for him. This game was over. The Cobras were the 103rd World Series Champions, and he was about to give Myers the memo.
Luke had been told to let Myers hit a ground ball so they could get their third out, win the game, and clinch the series. He hadn’t been happy about that directive but was willing to “follow orders” for the sake of the team.
But when he’d looked up at the stars, he’d felt the presence of his parents and Grandpa Bradford assuring him he was loved and that he had this. This was his time, not Myers’s. Myers was in his town, in the stadium Luke would own one day, and Luke’s woman was watching from a few feet away.
No, for the first time in his life he would do things his way. Because his family’s spirits had declared he’d be victorious. Tonight, Pe
te Myers was going down. Luke was going to strike him out. Fuck a ground ball. He would teach Myers a lesson that was long overdue.
Luke threw a ball to the first and third basemen before turning his attention back to Myers and Finley, the catcher. He waited on the sign from Finley. As expected, a curve ball. Luke shook his head. He would throw his fast ball, and Myers would strike out. Finley signaled the curve ball again, and Luke sighed. After a second, he nodded.
He took a slow calming breath, tuning out everything and everyone else around him, focusing on Myers. He threw a perfect fast ball, and the idiot tried to hit it, clipping it.
“Foul ball!”
Shit. A time out was called. Finley and Jesse both approached the pitcher’s mound. Luke’s stomach quivered, but he’d be all right. He’d make them understand.
He and Finley covered their mouths with their gloves, and Jesse put his hand over his. “Luke, you don’t need to try and strike Myers out. We can get the third out with a ground ball,” Jesse pleaded.
“Come on, man. We all know Myers is a piece of shit. Save the vendetta for another time,” Finley urged him.
Luke glanced toward the dugout and was greeted with a knowing smile and slight nod from his uncle. In that moment he realized Darren must have also been visited by his father’s and grandfather’s spirits. With renewed determination he set out to convince Finley and Jesse it would be all right.
“I know what I’m doing. You need to trust me.” What more could Luke say without sounding like he was crazy?
“It’s not a matter of trust, Luke. We’ve all seen how hard you’ve worked. You’re a big reason we’re here. You don’t have to try…” Jesse began.
“I will strike Myers out, and we’ll win tonight.”
“Look, Luke, there’s no shame in getting the third out by having him hit a ground ball,” Finley offered.
“I will strike Myers out. If I don’t, I’ll quit the team.”
Jesse threw his hands up before covering his mouth again. “Darren—”
“Darren has nothing to do with this. I’m my own man. Either you trust me, or you don’t.”
“All right, Luke,” Finley said, looking at Jesse.
“I don’t give a shit. I won’t allow you to quit this team. Strike this motherfucker out so we can celebrate, all right?” Jesse asked.
Luke smiled, relieved they were backing off. “Yes, sir.”
After Jesse returned to the dugout and Finley was back behind home plate, Luke pointed to Myers again. “I’m coming for you.” He doubted Myers could hear him over the roar of the crowd, but it didn’t matter. The anxious expression on the asshole’s face spoke volumes.
Finley gave Luke the signal for a fast ball, and he nodded, grateful Finley was on board. Luke wound up and pitched what he knew was at least a hundred mile per hour fast ball. Myers swung and missed.
“Strike one!”
Keeping his composure rather than laughing in Myers’s face like he wanted to, Luke caught Finley’s return throw. The Rockies’ player at second base had a decent lead to third, but Luke ignored him.
Finley gave the sign for a fast ball. Luke wound up and threw another. The idiot Myers swung again, missed, almost losing his balance.
“Strike two!”
This time, Luke shrugged. The spirits of family had assured him of the outcome. There was no reason to be nervous. He was moments away from winning his first World Series Championship. His woman was with him. Life didn’t get much better than this.
He caught Finley’s return throw and took a deep breath. A sense of calm washed over him. It was time to finish this.
Luke wound up and threw the final fast ball of the night. Myers swung hard, missed, and cursed.
“Strike three! You’re out!”
Luke stood there, stunned for a moment, before the team and fans rushed him. The Cobras had just won the 103rd World Series, and he’d brought them the win. His way. Teammates and fans alike crushed him, but he needed to get to Abbey and Darren. They were who he wanted to celebrate with.
“Luke!” he heard Abbey yell above the chaos.
“That’s my girl! Abbey! Abbey!” Luke shouted when he spotted her golden blonde hair making its way toward him through the crowd with Darren right behind her. He shoved his way through the happy mob of well-wishers until Abbey was safely in his arms. He inhaled the comforting scent of cherry blossoms and was home.
“Oh my God!” she shouted and laughed up at him, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling.
Luke didn’t hesitate, and claimed her lips with fans and teammates celebrating their win around them. Unfortunately, their kiss didn’t last long. They were pulled in different directions. Darren gave him a quick hug, but Luke held on tight to Abbey’s hand, not wanting to lose their connection. There was a lot to do before they’d have a chance to be alone.
He’d borrowed a page from Jake’s playbook and had a promise ring waiting for Abbey back in their hotel room. Unlike Cassie’s though, Abbey’s had a genuine blue diamond center stone with white diamond accents. Only the best for his woman.
During those few moments with his family’s spirits, they’d also assured him Abbey was the woman for him and shared that he and Abbey would have a long, happy life together. He wondered if he could convince her to get married after she turned twenty-one, instead of waiting until she graduated from college like they’d planned.
There would be time to talk about that later. Now was a time for celebration. The future was so bright it nearly brought him to tears. As long as Luke had Abbey by his side, he had everything he could possibly need.
The End
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