54. Dakota
54
DAKOTA
Somehow, silly string, shaving cream, and black and yellow glitter have made an appearance on the field. I don't know how that happened, but I do know that the field maintenance crew will likely have our heads for this stunt.
Worth it.
The entire staff and team are covered in the remnants of our winning celebration—not one smile wiped clean.
“Okay, settle down. Boys…you did it. I’m so proud of every one of you. You’ve worked your asses off this season, and we’re only halfway finished. A World Series win is looking pretty damn good. I can feel it. Take the weekend to recoup and be ready to hit it hard come Monday morning. The work doesn’t end here. Alright, everyone, hands in.”
Seeing Jack happy might be the highlight of my day.
The good days are limited for him during this season of struggle he and Tay are facing, but today feels a lot like a good one.
A good day we will gladly take if it means seeing him excited about something.
We’re all equal parts of this team, making these incredible people my family. It’s wild to think that, not long ago, my self destruction was influencing my ability to see past the current day. Tomorrow was never a thought, and the future wasn’t a part of my plan.
Now it is, and I’m grateful for it.
The team and staff are going crazy, making weekend plans to continue the celebration. “That reminds me. Dakota, can you come here for a second, please?
Oh goodness. I always get so nervous when Jack singles me out.
“Coach. What’s up?” Hopefully, he doesn’t see my nervousness, although I'm probably doing a terrible job at masking it with all the excitement around us.
His soft smile does nothing to comfort me.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you. I know your contract ends at the end of the season, and we haven’t discussed what’s next for you at Makers Park. I wanted to be certain that your job was fully secured before I asked you to stay.”
What. Seriously. I was not expecting that.
My head spins so fast as I lock eyes with Callaway and drop my jaw in shock. He smiles brightly and cups his hand over his mouth, howling at the top of his lungs. “Atta girl, Foster!”
The entire team goes ape shit, chanting “Foster” at the top of their lungs.
I can’t believe it. I shift back to Jack and find him still looking at me. I guess I should probably answer now.
“You want me to stay?” I could cry. I’m going to be sore from my smile tomorrow.
He’s laughing. “Why would you think I wouldn’t? You’ve done an incredible job, Dakota. The team loves you, and you’re my friend. We’re your family now. You can’t get rid of us that easily. ”
Everything I’ve ever wanted has happened this last year. He’s right. These people are my family.
Thankfully, I get to now stay and never have to say goodbye to them.
I’m throwing myself at Jack in seconds, my arms finding him in a friendly hug as I screech at an unsettling volume.
I’m so thankful.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. This means so much to me, Jack.”
I pull back from him as he nods kindly, remaining humble.
“Go on, the team needs you in that huddle.”
My feet reach where Callaway is, huddling in unity with the team and ready to celebrate again.
Mack roars, “Strikers on three...one, two, three...Strikers!”
All hands meet in a pileup, rallying together.
Callaway’s arm finds my shoulders as we all file apart. He pulls me tightly into his warmth and kisses my head, smearing more of the mess between us.
“We made it.”
His smile is so big it lights my heart on fire. Seeing him radiate happiness makes me want to do everything in my power to keep it that way.
I flash him a cheesy grin, “You did it, Callaway. I’m so proud of you and all the guys.”
I am. They have given their all this season, and it shows in how they play.
“That’s sweet. But I meant us, angel. We made it. It only took you long enough to date me. And thank fuck you did because I’m a better man with you in my life.”
I kiss him because I must after that declaration .
“You’re stuck with me now, Ocean Eyes.” He kisses me back, and we lose ourselves in the kiss.
I pull back to look into his beautiful blues, “I think I was always meant to love you. Maybe that’s why Navy is my best friend—it was life's way of leading me to you. The ocean has also always been my favorite place, and now it all makes sense.” He’s looking at me with hopeful curiosity.
“It’s my safe place, my stable ground. It’s where I feel like I can finally breathe when I feel like I’m drowning. You saved me, Callaway. You’re my solitude, my haven, the love of my life. Nothing else matters outside of you.”
I’m catapulted in his arms and thrown over his muscular shoulders in seconds. He runs with me in circles around the field, smacking my butt playfully. Hysterics flow from my lips—the ease of loving him is a privilege I don’t take lightly.
Our goofing off is stopped by Kingston flagging down our attention. “Let’s go! He’s about to leave. Go get it, Kodi girl.”
I almost forgot.
Jumping from Cal’s arms, I bolt to the dugout to grab the scrapbook and signed check from my purse. He can’t leave yet.
Taylor hasn’t been up to attending games, so he’ll have to relay the message to her.
I’m running like a maniac, heading towards the team and staff gathered together by the bullpen exit of the field. Cheering meets my arrival as everyone howls at the excitement and good news coming for Coach Leggins.
He’s the only one clueless about what’s going on.
“Coach.”
Callaway and Mack walk to the head of the group where Leggins is standing. They each saddle up on one side of him, caging him in with an arm wrapped around his shoulders. They’re all close to the same height, looking like a force to be reckoned with together. I’m stunned for a second at the beauty of them all.
“What the hell is going on, Graves? Hayes?”
The guys are chuckling loudly, refusing to give him an inch of what’s to come. By the time I reach the group, Callaway makes room for me at his side as I call Navy up to share the good news.
Waving her over, Navy hangs back to the side of Mack. I told Mack ahead of time that this was his role. He’s the captain, so it should come from him. Surprisingly, he agreed, despite not being a fan of public speaking or speaking in general.
Mack’s hand claps the back of Coach Leggins’s neck, “Coach, we know life has been giving you hell lately. I suck at this, but we wanted to help you somehow. We all know you make bank, although your hair products probably cost you most of your salary. Just know we love you, man, and we’re all here for anything you need—Taylor, too. That said, here’s a check for thirty thousand dollars from us. The team hosted a carwash fundraiser for Taylor’s treatments. Dakota put some photos of the carwash into a scrapbook for you to see and show Tay.” Mack hands Jack the check and scrapbook, giving him a nod of respect.
Silence covers the stadium, and every eye finds Jack, waiting for his reaction. His head bows as his eyes find the turf before a heavy sniffle settles over us. Jack lifts his head slowly, fingers sinking into his eye sockets, likely to hide the tears fighting to break free.
“Fuck, guys. You didn’t have to. But this…this means everything. Thank you.” He’s nodding in gratitude as claps and “we love yous” float across the air from different voices.
It’s hard for him to accept help, which the fact that he did proves how much they’re struggling. No one deserves to go through the unthinkable, but knowing you have an army of people who love and support you makes the battle a little more bearable.
“We’re a team, Coach. All of us, on and off the field. We’ve got your back like you’ve always had ours.”
The team huddles in for a group hug as the rest of us stand back, watching their love for their coach cause not one dry eye in the park.
“Now, who’s up for some dirty bingo?”
Leave it to Kingston.