“How you feeling?” I fist bump Mason and Deacon. We’re here for him . . . he’s gonna finish college ball in a blaze of glory.
“Good.” He kicks the mound. “I can’t believe this is our last game together.” Nostalgia. “Unless you get signed with the same team next year.”
“Nah— measly me can’t compete with Mason fucking Adler.” He’s known I wasn’t leaving my junior year. And the love I have for the game won’t disappear— for any of us. It isn’t our priority like it is Mason’s. All three of us are good enough to play in the majors . . . and many teams were begging for us as a package deal before we graduated high school. Shit— three years and everything has changed.
“Let’s do this.” Deacon ends this walk down memory lane— all of us overcome with emotion. We need focus. We need to send Mason off with a bang.
As it comes to the last inning . . . our last game together, I stare at Mason through my mask. His determination is evident in his stoney face and tight lips. The grit that’s pushed him through the last year and I admit I’m choked up. He looks to the stands and searches Breck. Deacon turns and seeks Saylor. I find Avery and sigh in relief. The others are caught up in their own world and she mouths ‘I love you’ covering her heart.
I clap my hands drawing Mason’s attention and crouch to position. I throw my fingers signaling a fastball and watch him wind, draw his knee up, and release. It’s a beauty. “STRIKE!” The ref calls and cheers deafen me.
“Mason Adler just pitched a ninety nine mile per hour fast ball to secure the win. The Shockers have won the play-offs.” The announcer brings the crowd to their feet and I see my girl. My future. My past.
My life.
Deacon and I meet Mason at his mound . . . his legacy and future are made tonight. “Holy shit!” DD cheers. Avery, Saylor, Julie, and Emberlee run to the field and Brody joins us. We lift our joined hands together and smile at our parents. Julie is shouting.
“Unca Mace. Youz did it.” Julie launches herself into Mason’s outstretched arms.
“I feed her. Clothe her. And she still cheers for you.” Deacon is kidding— he couldn’t be happier his daughter worships him.
“Eat your heart out, DD. Princess has spoken and I’m her hero.” Mason still has to taunt him.
“She’ll miss you.” His smile fades and we all take a collective breath. First time we’ll be separated barrels into us. This is real life moving at Mach speed.
“Adler.” Coach calls. We follow Mason to the dugout and hang outside. We hear the offer, and we’re all overcome with so many emotions.
Pride.
Love.
Uncertainty.
He’s starting the walk we’ll all have to take.
We’re shocked he doesn’t accept— but he finally got it.
Love.
It’s a game changer.
As he walks towards Brecklynn, we all step back giving them room. In our way, with silence, we all acknowledge we’ll all remain connected but branching off. I don’t give a fuck— I grab Avery and pull her into my arms. It isn’t that this gesture is unusual . . . the feelings it represents aren’t friendship like they think but I don’t give a fuck. Her weight presses into me, our hearts in sync and I know she’s my beginning, middle and end.
After a few minutes, Mason’s dad joins them and some arrangements are made. He heads to us and you couldn’t burst his bubble. “I did it.” He rattles off terms. “I have to be in Pennsylvania by June. Breck is spending the summer with me.” I’m happy for him— for me— in a way his ending of college is the beginning for Avery and me.
We all celebrate with our parents, as one unit. As Breck and Mason drag their ass up my driveway, I holler to them. “Be as loud as you want. I’m taking the couch here.” I jog to Avery’s driveway and smile.
We’ll start with the couch.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mason signed a deal. Julie is turning three. The girls are turning one. Breck is packing to spend the summer with her man . . . time is flying— yet, I’m able to cherish the time with Caden. It’s like we’ve built this cocoon to shelter us and nobody has penetrated it.
“You ready?” Caden calls from the front room.
“Almost.” I grab my purse and cell and walk past the table to grab Julie’s birthday present. “It’s hotter than hell— why did they agree to have Julie’s party at the park?”
He laughs at my complaining. “Mason suckered them with a guilt trip. You should see what he did.”
“Lord. A plane so she can fly to see him?” I’m half serious.
“My lips are sealed. You have to see this one.” He grabs my hand and tugs me to the door.
“Wait. How do you know the secret?”
“Who do you think helped him?” Of course. Caden is everyone’s partner in crime.
We arrive at the park in the smoldering heat and the only kids here are Julie, Kinsley, and Darby . . . the latter two aren’t walking yet. I find it funny that Darby is taken with Caden. Julie loves all her uncles and her daddy but Mason is her favorite, we can’t deny that. But Darby . . . that little girl adores Caden and everyone knows it. She kicks her chubby legs where she’s sitting atop the blanket and face plants trying to get to Caden. Brody grimaces at the display his little girl is giving until Kinsley gives him a slobbery smile and he melts.
“For fucks sake . . . are any of my children gonna favor me?” Deacon pouts. I giggle because it’s so funny. Julie and Mason, Caden and Darby . . . and Brody has stepped in and claimed Kinsley’s heart.
“Built in babysitters.” Saylor whispers conspiring him to see the bright side.
“Not when the biggest pain in my ass is gonna be living in Pennsylvania.” I’m not sure if he’s talking about Mason or Julie . . . because let me tell you— that three-year-old is a tyrant. I’m wondering if there was some crossbreeding with Chucky on Adriane’s side. Fucking demonic little angel.
“What am I looking for?” I don’t take Caden’s hand but don’t leave his side either.
“Now that everyone is here,” all our parents come into the fold, “I can show my princess her surprise.” Julie beams as he lifts her and we walk behind the concession building that’s used during baseball season to a grassy field— filled with motherfucking ‘pops.’ Every size. Every color. Every brand. The entire field is overflowing. “Wanna tell me again, Shortstop, you can’t plant lollipops.” He’s smirking at her expression. And it’s murderous.
“Mason, how much was your contract for?” He pauses and stares as the smirk slips from her face.
“A lot. Why? Need a loan?” This boy is stupid.
“No. I need an amount. I figure if I offer to pay them your signing bonus and contract they won’t frown upon me murdering you. At this moment— I’m willing to take my chances. With bankruptcy or jail. Because if she eats all this shit you planted, I’ll be in hell.” She lunges for his throat as Deacon catches her waist.
“Easy.” He’s trying to hide his chuckle— and failing.
“She isn’t gonna eat them all at the same time. This is to tide her over until I get back to visit. Right, Princess?” He blows a raspberry on her stomach and she punches him in the cheek.
“Mine. Unc. Allz mine.” She struggles until he sets her down and she takes off running. One. Two. Three. Seven. She’s run outta room scooping them up. Pausing, she searches the ground for something and improvises— shoving them into her shorts, her top, a few in her sandals. And she’s off. Two. Six.
“Shit.” Mason whispers under his breath.
“Yeah, genius. Explain to a three-year-old these aren’t all for right now. That would be like setting you in a room full of spread legs and pussy but telling you only once can you dip your micro penis.” She sputters. “Pre-Brecklynn, of course.”
I bite my lip in amusement because Julie is wielding the stick of one of her lollipops at Deacon like a sword when he tries to take a few from her. I shrug; sit my ass down to watch this entertainment. Why
do I pay for Netflix?
“Aves.” Mason whines as Lee Lee plops next to me. Caden is still entertaining Darby as she snuggles into his chest. “You’re level headed. Go help Deacon.”
“Hostage negotiations and terrorist situations weren’t in my syllabus for my Fine Arts degree.” I grin and get comfortable.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Help.” He looks scared because Saylor is advancing and Deacon isn’t there to save him.
Brecklynn pops a squat on the other side. “You’re on your own, Ace. I told you this was a bad idea. If she draws blood, maybe you’ll listen to me next time.”
“Pussy.” Josh coughs into his hand and Deacon’s mom slaps him.
“Little ears.” She reminds him.
“What? My daughter-in-law said he had a little dick. I didn’t hear anything about little ears. You’re all kinds of screwed, Mason.” And this continues with every one taking a side— in spirit not in reality.
We’re all on the same side.
My mom plops next to us. “You look happy.” She says as she kisses my cheek.
“I am.” I sigh and no statement has ever been truer.
Shocking that Mason isn’t banned from the first birthday parties of Darby and Kinsley, but he had to sign, in blood, that Brecklynn would do the shopping and planning. He’s leaving in the morning so they moved up the parties. Neither will be one for a few weeks but this is our last celebration together for a while.
Best joint present ever . . . The grandparents and ‘aunts’ and ‘uncles’ chipped in for a two-week vacation to Disney World for both sets of parents and children. Brecklynn and Mason will be in Pennsylvania, the real grandparents will be with the two couples— that leaves Caden and me. Alone. Two weeks. It’s like every orgasm I’ve ever had rolled into one with the happiness this news brings me.
Each girl somehow managed to get a gaming console with Grand Theft Auto— nobody admits to it but I know it was Caden and Mason. Keeping up tradition and all. I’m thinking when it’s time for Caden and I to have kids— years off— I’ll adopt one at sixteen so this present isn’t so inappropriate. Or when he and Breck start hatching kids, I’ll buy them a Cubs baseball outfit. Mason will die. Then my problem is solved of him buying my impressionable child a video game with prostitutes and gang bangers.
“Last night. Shall we play truth or dare?” Emberlee suggests, because we are kids free at the moment. With copious amounts of booze.
“Sure. Or strip poker.” Mason deadpans.
“Yeah. I’ve always wanted to see Brecklynn’s rack.” Deacon throws the gauntlet down. We know he isn’t serious— his eyes are for Saylor. But it works. Mason is spitting, red faced, fuming— I think I might see a tear. “Kidding, Mace. But that’s payback for years and years of your asinine comments.”
“I’ll start.” Lee Lee challenges and we all groan. “Anal— who does it?”
Brecklynn stands up. “No. Some of us are siblings here.”
“Take a shot. Brody plug your ears or go home. Problem solved.” She acts like she found world peace. “We tried it last week. Wasn’t shabby ladies.”
“Kill me now.” Brody stands and exits to the kitchen.
“No.” Saylor announces. “Exit only.” Lee Lee opens her mouth and Saylor stops her. “Don’t give me any pointers. Don’t tell me I don’t know what I’m missing. Pass your sex advice to next in line.” Deacon is snickering at Saylor’s outburst.
“Jeez. Calm down. If you’d get some D in the poop shoot you’d be much happier.” Saylor flips her off and follows Brody to the kitchen.
“Aren’t they prudes.” Emberlee acts affronted.
“It isn’t that bad. Sometimes the size scares me when I think I wanna go there.” Brecklynn leans forward; the shots are working and loosening her lips.
“Really? I think I forgot something at home. In the bedroom. Walk with me?” Mason stands and I fall over in laughter.
“Sit down before you poke someone’s eye out with that, Ace.” Brecklynn swats his hand. “Overeager is one of his weaknesses.” She explains to us.
We don’t need alcohol— we need a fucking intervention from this train wreck.
“What about you, Aves?” Caden shifts when Lee Lee turns the attention to me.
I smile over the rim of my cup. “Just the tip. When he tells me to relax.” We hoot in laughter and the pucker hole powwow is ended.
“My turn.” Brecklynn claps. “Avery— who are you fucking?” I choke on my drink and Caden claps my back. Brody and Saylor enter and take their seats. I have a full court press for this one.
Time to play, motherfuckers. “Caden.” His body goes rigid next to me and our friends howl in amusement.
“Fine. Be that way. You can have your secret— for now.” Saylor narrows her eyes. I tried. Caden throws his arm over my shoulders and squeezes— both of us sharing the joke is on them.
After tears, goodbyes, hugs, more tears we all find ourselves heading home and Brecklynn decides her last night will be spent with me. I’ll miss her and Mason doesn’t balk about letting her outta his sight.
“It’s just us. Tell me the truth.” She yawns. I guess this slumber party includes her getting comfortable in my bed.
“What makes you think I’m lying?” I test the waters.
“I don’t believe it. Caden is quiet— and it works for him. You’re such a free spirit, outgoing, even-tempered. I don’t think you could handle him. He seems he’d be a beast in bed.” She giggles— the vodka flowing through her veins. I go to spill the truth and she begins to snore.
Senior year starts and we’re all gathered for a Skype call with Mason. Brecklynn got back a few days ago and this will be her last year as well. The call starts and Julie is bouncing, trying to touch her Unc and gets upset when she can’t get to him. After calming her down, Saylor hands her a lollipop and we work through getting caught up.
“I have an announcement.” Caden takes center stage. He’s ready to tell everyone his plans. “Avery and I both do.”
“No.” Brecklynn pushes him. “No more lies about fucking each other.”
He shakes his head. “We aren’t discussing sex lives tonight.” He points to little ears. “I wanted to wait until you got drafted Mace.” He was called up to MLB, Yankees, last week and his dreams are coming true. “I changed my major end of sophomore year.” Everyone gasps. “I was accepted into Vanderbilt. I’ll be heading to med school when this year finishes.”
Silence. “Where is that?” Deacon asks.
“Nashville.” Caden takes in everyone’s reaction. “And everyone is settled. Lee Lee is running a business, raising a kid.” He nods to Saylor and DD. “Y’all have two and are full time students. Breck is moving after this year.” She grins as she stares at Mason through the computer. “So, Avery decided she’s gonna open up a gallery there. We are both moving.”
I’m waiting for the realization to hit them. It doesn’t. “Makes sense,” Mason chirps. “You can watch over her until she finds someone to be with. Don’t let any of the skanks you fuck mess with her.” He smiles and flips us off. “I’m proud of you. Dr. Monroe— it has a nice ring to it.”
Everyone talks over each other except Breck. She stares at me. At Caden. And I think it’s dawning on her. But she keeps silent.
Nobody is traveling for Christmas break this year. The girls are into everything at nineteen months and you couldn’t pay a deaf person to sit next to Julie on a plane. Breck is the sole one traveling this year. Leaving us for New York and her man. Mason being gone is noticeable and I’d be lying if I said Caden and Deacon didn’t get a bit nostalgic when we catch his name on ESPN or a headline with his stats on Google. This could have been all of them. I often wonder where we’d be if that happened. I don’t see Saylor following him from city to city, possibly team to team. She’s too regimented and with kids, she likes her schedule. Lee Lee likes her job but if Brody starts working for a team, she can have her home base wherever. If Caden went, I don�
�t know what would happen. I can’t have a successful gallery if I’m not there to run it and I can’t cart my supplies all over the states. I hope they don’t regret it but decisions have been made.
The Christmas Eve celebration at Emberlee’s parents house was a riot. Kids, paper, noise . . . sensory overload. And when Julie opened her package from Mason, I swear one hundred pounds of pops poured onto the floor. Maybe it’s a good thing he isn’t here.
“Come sit with me.” He pulls me from my new art supplies. We’re at his house for the duration of Breck’s vacation.
I don’t hesitate and collapse into his arms. “Better.” I snuggle close.
“You didn’t open my gift.” He shifts me from his arms and reaches to his side.
“I figured we would do it in the morning before heading to our parents.” I have his gift in my room at home.
I fall back to the couch, exhaustion taking hold. He didn’t answer me and there’s a strange vibe in the room. I open my eyes and he’s kneeling in front of me. With a ring. “Avery Michaels, I love you. I adore the paint always staining your hair. Your clothes. My clothes. I love that you create what others dream. I love your selfless nature and your stubborn ability to do what you want. I love everything about you. Will you marry me?”
“Holy fuck.” I swallow but don’t have to debate my answer. “Yes. It will always be yes.” He slips the ring on my finger and I study it. Tears blur my vision but I can’t stop staring at the stone. It’s rose gold but when I move my hand colors catch it and it seems like a rainbow. It’s in a diamond halo setting but I don’t know the stone. “What is this?” I study his face and he’s— content— for lack of a better term.
“Morganite. I wanted something that had different elements.” He takes my hand and brings it to his lips. “It isn’t the most expensive or the rarest, but it’s you.”
Fighting Fate (Endgame #4) Page 23
