I turned into the large parking lot, selecting the first empty spot I could find. We made the short trek to the entrance, and I found myself both anxious and surprisingly excited about going inside. Holding Becca’s hand in mine definitely helped.
I checked in at the ticket sales counter, and the clerk told me to go around. I led Becca and went in through the side door where we were met by a suit-clad man I was sure I’d never met before.
“Gavin Powell, we are so excited you were able to make it tonight!”
“Yeah well, I decided I’d actually make this one.”
Becca looked at me quizzically. She was still trying to figure out what made this game unusual.
“Thanks for getting your husband to come tonight. It’s such a treat to have him here.”
I expected Becca to jump all over that comment considering our earlier fight, but she calmly replied, “Just boyfriend. He decided to come on his own.”
“Either way, we’re so glad he’s here.” The man, who still hadn’t introduced himself, handed us two passes on lanyards. “Let me show you to your seats.”
We were escorted to two seats behind the dugout, and I loved watching the look of excitement cross Becca’s face. I felt pretty excited myself. There was just something about being in a stadium. Even when baseball was a job, the excitement was still there.
“This is really cool.” She grinned.
“You like the seats?”
“Like?”
I laughed. She really did love baseball as much as I did.
“Do you want anything to drink? To eat?”
“Are you kidding? Did you not see me eat that entire cow?”
“Entire cow? Not quite, but I’m going to get some popcorn anyway.”
I ran back out and came back with popcorn and two beers.
The Bulls were playing the Charlotte Knights, and the first few innings were fairly uneventful. Finally, in the fourth inning, the Bull’s managed two runs. Becca got really into it, jumping out of her seat and everything.
“Having fun?” I teased, putting an arm around her when she sat back down.
“Yeah, but when are you going to tell me what’s up? I mean, why the special treatment? Do all former players get it?”
I bit back a smile. “Just wait.”
“This whole man of mystery act is getting old.”
“What are you talking about? I’m always a man of mystery. It’s not an act.”
She gave me that adorable pout of hers. “Gavin, please.”
“Just watch the game.”
We got a couple more beers and the game moved quickly. Before long, it was the seventh inning stretch.
“I think I’m going to run to the restroom.” Becca started to get up.
“No, you should wait.”
“Okay.”
She settled back down just as the announcer started in.
“Ladies and Gentleman, it’s the time of the season to welcome back some of our most honored former players. First, he led us to one of our most successful seasons in 1992 and went on to a long and successful career of nearly twenty years with the Atlanta Braves. I would like to introduce Chipper Jones.”
The crowd loudly applauded as he slowly walked onto the field. I could feel my nerves beginning to set in as the announcer continued.
“Next, I have the pleasure of introducing one of the most beloved players in our sports club. He holds the record for the most strikeouts in a game and is the only pitcher to have two no hitters in a single season. Please welcome back Gavin Powell.”
As I started to walk to the field, the audience rose to their feet and yelled. I could see the shock on Becca’s face as I let go of her hand.
“Our guests today will be awarded with a plaque for their contributions to the club and will be available after the game for a signing event.”
It was almost surreal being on the field. I hadn’t looked back when I’d left three years before, but standing there that night, I couldn’t believe I’d stayed away so long.
As I took my seat again, Becca leaned over. “So do I get an autograph?”
“You can have a lot more than an autograph.” I raised an eyebrow.
“Really? And I thought I was just another one of your groupies.”
“You’ll never be just another anything. Don’t forget it.” I settled my hand on her leg as we watched the rest of the game. The Bulls pulled out a 4 to 1 win, making it an even better evening.
After the game, we walked over to a large tent set up behind the field for a meet and greet. I was worried it would be overwhelming for Becca, but she was a natural. She didn’t even seem flustered. For someone terrified to meet my family, she had no issues hanging out with this group.
Dawn used to hate when I left her alone at events. She’d mope around the whole time and always wanted me to make it up to her afterward. Becca seemed to be having a great time. Every time I looked over at her, she was smiling.
I signed the last of the autographs and joined Becca. She nibbled happily on something.
“I thought you were never going to eat again.”
“They’re chocolate covered strawberries. They don’t count.”
I laughed. “Okay, but then I need to have one.”
After eating three strawberries, I noticed a familiar face heading our way.
“Do my eyes deceive me, or am I actually in the presence of the Gavin Powell?”
“Gary, hey.” I shook hands and then hugged my old pitching coach.
“And who is this?” He turned his attention to Becca.
“Becca Harris. Nice to meet you.” She shook his hand.
“How’d you get yourself messed up with this one?”
“He came to my rescue, and I haven’t been able to stay away since.”
“Nice. Maybe you’re the reason he keeps avoiding my calls.”
“Calls?” She looked at me questioningly.
“Oh, so he hasn’t even told you. I’ve been on his case about coming out to Tampa with me. We could definitely use him.”
“No, he didn’t tell me anything about it.”
I expected her to get annoyed, but she surprised me by putting her hand in mine. “He’s always so modest.”
Gary smiled. “At least promise to stay in touch this time, Gavin.”
“Sure, I’ll do one better. I’ll give you a call next week.”
Gary’s eyes widened in surprise. “You do that.”
We left soon after. We had a two hour drive back, and it was already late. Becca took off her heels as soon as we got in the car.
“Thanks for coming. It was a lot easier with you there.”
“Thanks for taking me. That was really cool. You’re really cool.”
“I’m cool, huh? Well you’re pretty cool, yourself. And by the way, thanks.”
“For?” She fidgeted in her seat so she could see me better.
“I don’t know. Being you, I guess.”
“Oh. Well, it’s just so hard, I don’t know how I do it.”
I laughed.
She started to run her fingers down my arm. I loved when she did that. “I don’t want to get into anything, but why didn’t you tell me about Tampa? I mean, if it’s your dream and all…”
“Because I wasn’t ready. Hell, it took me three years just to go back to that stadium.”
“Well you seemed right at home. I still can’t believe my boyfriend holds the record for the most strikeouts in a game.”
It was nice to hear her call me her boyfriend. She’d said it earlier, but this time it wasn’t because someone mistakenly thought we were married. At least I knew where we stood in her eyes—the same place we did in mine.
We rode in silence for a while, and I turned off the interstate toward town.
“If it’s okay with you, you don’t need to drop me off.”
I’d thought she was sleeping and was wondering how to approach the topic. We’d been apart less than a week, but it seemed like forever.
I wasn’t sure whether I could just assume she’d want to come home with me, especially after our fight. But I needed her. I needed to spend every last second with her before she left. I’d have to get time off work.
“It’s more than okay with me.” I reached over and took her hand.
I pulled into the driveway, feeling a whole lot more relaxed than I had been when I’d left. We took Max for a walk before coming back and settling into our usual spots on the couch. She looked out at the water even though she couldn’t have seen much of anything in the darkness.
I put an arm around her, and she leaned into me. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“I know, but we’ll make it work.”
“You still think so?”
“Of course. If anything, I’m more determined now. I need you in my life.”
She shifted, and at first I thought she was pulling away, but instead she got into my lap, straddling me the way she did our first night together. Before I could even register it, she kissed me.
I let her take the lead, more than willing to hand control over to her for a while. I loved that she felt comfortable enough with me to do it.
She suddenly stopped, hands stilling in their gradual descent. “You’re going to visit me, right?”
“Of course.” I’d be visiting her more than she could imagine. I finally knew how I was going to make her feel safe.
“Good.” Her hands moved again, and I decided it was my turn to take over. I flipped her down on the couch and followed behind her. As upset as it made her that first time, I realized it was the words and not the action.
She giggled, having no problem with her new position.
I grinned. “You weren’t moving fast enough.”
“No, I wasn’t, was I?”
I undressed her quickly, enjoying the process just as much now as I had the first time, just as much as I knew I’d enjoy doing it for the rest of my life. I’d already known it for a long time, but I was never letting Becca go. If our time apart had taught me anything, it was that I’d do anything to keep her in my life—and after our night, I’d finally figured out how.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Becca
I woke up in Gavin’s arms as the sun streaked in the window. I snuggled into him, not wanting the moment to end. The lyrics to every song I knew about saying goodbye flowed through my head as I ran my hand down his chest. He murmured something before pulling me closer. I closed my eyes and tried to memorize how it felt to be held by him, how it felt to be so complete. His skin felt warm against mine, and I even liked the way his stubble scratched my cheek.
The tears started. I didn’t want to leave him. I had no idea how I was supposed to survive the distance. We’d wasted so much time, and all I wanted to do was go back and make up for every second of it. I wished I’d spent every night with him, had woken up with him every morning. I wished I hadn’t taken him for granted. I’d never expected to fall in love, but over the course of a few months, I’d become completely attached to a man I knew I could no longer live without.
“Are you okay, baby?” Gavin said softly.
I opened my eyes. “I don’t want to leave.”
“I don’t want you to leave.”
“I’m scared.”
“Of leaving?” He absently played with my hair the way he did so often.
“Of everything. Of being apart, of being alone…”
“I know. But I have a surprise that might help a little.”
“What?” I looked up at him hopefully.
“He’s currently sleeping over there.” I followed his gaze over to where Max slept curled up on his bed.
“Max? Wait, are you saying I can borrow your dog?”
He laughed. “Well if I can’t be there myself, at least you’ll have him. Besides, he likes you better.”
“But what about you? What will you do without him?”
“I’ll be okay. I’ll see him all the time when I visit you. And it’s only for nine months, right?”
I nodded. “Right.”
I kissed him, refusing to waste even a minute of the time we had left.
***
Boston was as lonely as I’d expected. I got back into the groove of school, but it was so much harder. The longer I was away from Clayton Falls, the more I missed it. I missed Molly, Kelly, and Jake—missed the group of friends I’d never imagined I’d have, but most of all, I missed Gavin. Sometimes I ached for him so much that I didn’t know how to deal.
To make things worse, Gavin seemed kind of distant, as if he was hiding something. I knew I had to trust him. I understood that sending Max with me was for more than my safety. He wanted me to know he wasn’t going anywhere. Accepting Max meant I wasn’t either.
On the Thursday of my third week back, I got caught in a torrential downpour after getting off the T. I opened my umbrella, but a gust of wind turned it inside out. “Damn it.”
I dropped my useless umbrella into the trash can as I walked the few blocks to my apartment. Pelted by rain on top of everything else, I was soaked. I turned the corner and noticed someone leaning against the side of my building. As I got closer, he glanced up, and I got a look at my favorite hazel eyes.
“Gavin? What are you doing here?” I ran as fast as I could with my backpack full of books.
He met me halfway, sliding my bag off my shoulders, tossing it under the awning of my building, before pulling me into a hug. “You left something behind,” he whispered in my ear.
“What?” I asked, hoping he was going to say what I wanted him to.
“Me.”
I pulled my head away from his chest, knowing my face was now wet from tears and the rain. “How long are you here for?”
“Until you graduate.”
“Really?” I clutched on to his shirt, trying to accept that the man I loved was really moving across the country for me.
He smiled. “I figured I knew someone who wouldn’t mind having me as a roommate.”
“Well, I kind of already have someone living with me… but I think Max will be okay with you joining us.”
“Good. I would have come sooner, but I had to give my two weeks at work.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be. I know of a job up here I can take anyway.”
“Where?”
“Let’s say we’ll be at a lot of games at Fenway.”
“Are you going to coach?”
“I called my pitching coach, and he knew someone up here. It won’t pay much, but it’s a start, right?”
“Oh my god, you’re really going to help coach the Sox!”
“I take it you like the idea?”
“Is that a joke?”
He looked down into my eyes. “I love you, Becca.”
Before I could reply, his lips were on mine. His arms came around me, and I wrapped mine around his neck, pulling him as close to me as possible. The rain continued to pour down on us, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was how good it felt to have his lips against mine again and to be back in his arms. He eventually loosened his hold a little and pulled back. I jumped in immediately. “I love you.”
“Do you love me enough to get me out of the rain?”
“Of course. But wait. Where’s all your stuff?”
“In my car.” He pointed to where he’d parked.
“Do you need it now?”
“No. The only thing I need is right here.”
“And I’m not going anywhere.” I looked him right in the eye when I said it, letting him know I meant it.
“Me either, Becca. Me either.”
His lips met mine again, and I knew I was right where I belonged.
Veer (Clayton Falls) Page 19
