This Is Love (Evermore University #2)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

LOGAN

TWO MONTHS LATER

It’s the final game of the season. This is the best Evermore University has done in years. Digging deep, I seek out the one who gives me my calm—Rya. She’s up there in the stands with my mother and Macie. The three are on their feet, decked out in ball caps and EU baseball jerseys. Seeing the three women in our lives together still feels fucking surreal. But I fucking love it. It’s been good for all of us.

Come on, Logan. Just one more out, and that’s the game . My gaze shifts, seeking the one I look to for that extra push. My fire—Jaxon.

From the dugout, he gives me the smallest of nods, but I read it exactly how I know he means it. Get the fucking job done . I drag in a breath, seeking out Alexander where he’s squatting behind the plate at the ready. We communicate in a series of his hand gestures and jerks of my head until we finally agree on the proper pitch, and I nod. With my heart practically pounding outside my chest, I wind up and let the ball fly.

I blink, watching as if everything is happening in slow motion. The ball streaks through the air, flying just inside the strike zone as the batter’s swing comes around. My stomach lurches, but I’m ready to jump into action in case the bat connects with my pitch.

It never does. The ump calls the strike.

And that’s it. The game is over. I blink, punching both fists into the air. We fucking did it. The team erupts from the dugout and comes racing onto the field. Congratulatory slaps land on my shoulder and assorted fist bumps come my way, and then there’s Jaxon. He’s barreling toward me, a huge grin lighting up his face. His body connects with mine in a tight hug. We spin around wildly, trying to keep our footing as we laugh.

He rubs his hand through my hair, clutching me to him as he whispers in my ear, “You did so fucking good, Logan. So fucking good.”

I nod, my lips connecting with his neck and pressing firmly. “Thanks.”

He and I have come so far since those first games where we’d rather punch each other than kiss, but that time has passed. Thank fuck.

After the customary high fives between teams, we head back to the dugout. Coach Kimball bellows, “Good game, Hawks. Go enjoy your families tonight. We’ll have a final team meeting on Sunday.” As I walk by him, he clamps a hand on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. “Kid, that was fucking impressive. With you and Jaxon in my lineup for another two years together? I hesitate to say so, but we might be unstoppable. Good job.”

“Thanks, Coach.” I shoot him a smile.

He raises his brows, peering at me. “Don’t let anything get in the way of what we’ve got going, you hear me?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Jaxon and I are in a good place. Gotta go. He’s waiting on me.” I wink and jog away. I’m unsure if Coach was hinting that he’s aware of our relationship or if I’m simply reading into things because Jaxon—and Rya—are always on my mind. Either way, there won’t be any more trouble. Not from us ever again. Hopefully, there will be a day when we don’t live in fear of what people think. We’ll get there. I’m sure of it.

A few minutes later, Jaxon and I have gathered our assorted bags and, together, we head toward the chaos of families meeting up with their players. We see Rya sprinting toward us first, and she flies into my arms. I twirl her around, kissing her soundly before letting her go. She’s promptly scooped into Jaxon’s arms, and he gives her a lingering kiss, then sets her down.

Kinda like I assume is the truth with Coach, our team is definitely catching on to the relationship among the three of us now, but there’s a part of me that hesitates still, not wanting to push Jaxon too hard. So, it definitely surprises me when he grips the front of my baseball jersey and wrenches my body to his, kissing me with the fire I’ve become so accustomed to—it simply usually occurs in private. As he pulls away, he murmurs low, “Love you.”

I look at him from under hooded eyes. “Love you too.”

“And I love both of you.” Rya wrinkles her nose. “Now come on. Your moms are waiting on us.”