“Where else could he be?” Amanda said mostly to herself.
All three of them sat in sheer silence. Amanda and Aaron pondered the worst, and they both reached the conclusion that Jake had, indeed, left for L.A. tonight. Carly propped her head against the window and closed her eyes, still praying that it was not too late. If ever she needed a prayer answered, it was now. Suddenly, a feeling of intense relief rushed over her, and her eyes flew open. She turned to Amanda and said with strong conviction, “He’s at the old baseball field.”
Jake sat inside the dugout. He leaned his head back against the stone wall behind him and propped his feet up on the concrete ledge in front of him. He peered at nothing in particular, his mind still reeling over what had occurred in the parking lot at the karaoke bar. The worst he could have imagined happening had actually happened, and for the first time in his life he had no idea what he was going to do next. Not even the prospect of returning to L.A. seemed enticing at the moment. If only Carly had accepted his apology and agreed to give him a chance, he would have enjoyed returning to his life there. But now it all seemed so pointless without her.
Just then, he heard the sound of a car approaching, and he turned to look. He figured it was probably a police cruiser patrolling the neighborhood to ensure curfew laws were being adhered to. The car came to a complete halt, and the engine died down a few seconds later. Subsequently, he saw the passenger-side door open and a tiny figure emerge. He removed his feet from the ledge and stood up, his eyes straining to make out who this was. The figure quickened its pace, and he slowly moved toward it. After several more paces, he finally recognized whom the mysterious figure belonged to. His heart leapt with renewed hope.
Carly stopped short just a few feet in front of him, afraid to come any closer for fear he was angry with her over the incident earlier tonight. She spoke first.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I never intended…I’m…I…I’m just so sorry.”
She was prepared to fight for his forgiveness.
“I should never have let you walk out of my life. I should have told you the truth. You mean everything to me, and I don’t ever want to let you go again. I love you so much.”
He stared at her beautiful face, which seemed to glow brighter than the biggest star suspended high above them. He suddenly noticed how the light breeze made her long hair flow like a curtain of delicate silk. He also saw that familiar warmth in her deep brown eyes that was both comforting and tender. More importantly, he noticed the loving smile that welcomed him wholeheartedly. With a sudden, unexpected motion that caught her by complete surprise, Jake closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. He held onto her possessively as though she might fly away from him at any moment.
“You’re mine, Carly. And I need you more than anything.”
He cupped her face with his hands, leaned down, and captured her mouth for a deep and searing kiss that seemed to last a blissful eternity. He thought he’d never pull his lips away, for he relished and delighted in possessing her so completely. When he finally released the hold on her mouth, he still held her close.
“You are extremely stubborn,” he said, grinning.
Carly laughed. She tightened her embrace, then rested the side of her face against his broad chest and contentedly closed her eyes.
“But, I will gladly learn to live with that,” he affirmed.
He kissed the top of her head and smiled to himself. He’d never been happier in his life.
Jake could hear Amanda and Aaron cheering from beside the parked car, and he shouted at them to come over. They happily complied, and before long they all stood in the outfield.
“Just like old times,” Amanda said. She sighed contentedly.
“Yeah, but we’re missing one person,” Aaron remarked. “Roy.”
Jake suddenly thought about the Hummer and groaned.
“Anyone up for a trip to L.A.? I gotta return a car.”
Carly smiled at him and whispered, “I’ll go wherever you go, Mr. Harmon.”
He leaned down and kissed her again.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he replied.
The Road to L.A. Page 24
