Chapter 30
Kenzie
After visiting a single occupancy bathroom to scrub off Mallory’s decoy makeup, I’m led to an unoccupied office and offered a plate from the clubhouse spread.
Since I’d been planning on buying myself a ballpark hot dog for dinner before going full incognito, I’m famished.
The marinated chicken, roasted potatoes, and grilled asparagus are incredible.
The Waves nutritionalist’s skills live up to her hyped reputation.
I also slurp down a protein and fruit smoothie, chasing it with a handful of spiced nuts.
Brianna, one of the clubhouse attendants, raps her knuckles on the open door. “Trevor sent me to let you know they’ll be a bit longer but wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”
A blush creeps up my neck. I like how much he’s still taking care of me even when he’s busy in a team meeting.
“No, thank you. This all has been wonderful.” She nods, moving as if to continue down the hall before my question stops her. “Would it be okay if I closed the door for a phone call?”
“Of course,” she tells me, leaning into the office to close the door for me.
I slide my phone out of the pocket of my borrowed sweats, knowing it’s entirely too late.
My parents rarely stay awake past nine, and it’s nearly eleven p.m. If I didn’t know they were heading to our town’s farmers market early tomorrow to sell asparagus, rhubarb, and radishes along with cheese from our goats, I wouldn’t bother them.
The thing is, Ethel will be there. She isn’t just the town gossip, she’s the self-proclaimed ‘biggest fan of baseball’—albeit a Yankees fan. Ethel is also incredibly tech-savvy. There’s no way she won’t see tonight’s press conference with her morning coffee.
I’m debating whether I should set an early alarm for tomorrow to catch my parents before they leave when Mallory texts.
Mallory
Girl, you crushed that media session! Why did you pretend you needed tips when you’re obviously a pro? *painting nails emoji*
A snort leaves my nose.
Kenzie
That was beginner’s luck. Either that or the universe decided I’d struggled enough, so it gave me a win.
Mallory
Heck of a win. #CutieKenzie is trending.
Kenzie
What?
Mallory
There are still some clowns being nasty, but they obviously hate their lives. Their problem, not yours. Just this once, it’s probably safe to Google yourself.
I toggle to another screen, searching the hashtag.
I’m still not brave enough to Google myself after what happened last time.
There are already several posts and comments about how it’s refreshing how ‘real’ a person I am.
Another post comments on how her best friend is also a cat.
There’s a whole slew of videos stating that accountants should receive more love.
Then I check Trevor’s Fur-Ever Homes video and nearly black out—the share numbers have tripled.
Kenzie
This is…a lot.
Kenzie
Except for the love for Princess. I hope that sweet pig finds a permanent place soon.
Mallory
She’s got style for sure.
Mallory
Don’t worry about the attention. It will fade. If it makes you feel better, I can do something outlandish at tomorrow’s game to draw focus to me. You know I love the flashbulbs. *wink emoji*
My shoulders sag with relief.
Kenzie
Would you? I’m so glad things went well tonight, but now that the adrenaline is wearing off, I’m kind of freaking out.
Mallory
Don’t freak out. Everything will be fine. And it would be my pleasure to divert the attention of the masses.
Kenzie
You’re the best.
Mallory
Now take some deep breaths and remind yourself that all that matters is you and Trevor. *double heart emoji*
I heart her message and then darken my screen, taking several deep breaths with my eyes closed.
Unfortunately, it does nothing to quiet the blood sloshing in my ears.
My fingers shake as I check the time on my phone again and then decide my parents will forgive me.
The call rings three times before my mom picks up.
“What’s happened? Where are you? Are you hurt?” Then I hear a thump that sounds suspiciously like a pillow hitting something. “Buck, wake up! Our baby needs us.”
My mom’s panicked voice makes me wince. She probably thinks I’m lying in a ditch, calling at this hour.
“No, Mom. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
“Oh, good.” Her relief is palpable, even over a phone line and the five-hundred-mile distance. “You can go back to sleep, honey.”
“No, I’m up,” my dad says, voice groggy. “What’s going on, kiddo?”
“Um,” I hedge.
I want to let them know about the press conference before they find out from anyone else, but a part of me wants to gush about Trevor.
It was foolish of me to keep our relationship from my parents in the first place.
They love Trevor. Even if us getting together a month after my broken engagement might seem fast to others, my parents know about my year-long friendship with Trevor.
“This might seem out of left field, but…” I draw in a steadying breath. “Trevor and I are dating.”
“About time!” Mom exclaims as Dad says, “Letti, what month did I have for our bet? May? If so, you owe me a steak dinner.”
“You—you were betting on us?” I sputter.
My mom hums. “You did have May down. We can stop by the butcher on the way home from the farmer’s market.”
“But…”
“We knew it was only a matter of time.” There’s a smile in my dad’s voice. “That man has been smitten since he first laid eyes on you.”
My eyelashes flutter. “He— What?”
I remember after our first kiss that Trevor said he’d said he’d liked me for a long time, but like and smitten are two very different things.
“Switch to video,” I tell my parents. “I need to see you for this conversation.”
The sounds of a light clicking on and covers rustling come over the phone before my mom’s halo of bedhead comes into view. She’s tucked under Dad’s arm, the two of them sitting up against their wooden headboard.
“Hey, baby.” My mom gives me the same soft smile she always does when we call. “Did you seriously not know?”
“Of course I didn’t. Why didn’t you say anything?”
Mom tuts. “For the same reason I don’t tell the plants how to grow. It’s your life to live. You’d figure it out when you were ready.”
“Even when that other player started spending time with you, we kept it to ourselves,” Dad adds. “We didn’t like his showy gifts or his attitude the one time we spoke, but we figured you needed to make your own decisions.”
My mouth drops open, and a strangled sound escapes me.
“It’s part of life, kiddo. Just like when you were learning to ride a bike. Bumps, bruises, and falling down are all part of the experience.”
I tilt my head back with a groan. “But if you’d told me, I wouldn’t have humiliated myself on national TV by jumping on top of the dugout.”
My dad’s smile turns mischievous. “But then Trevor wouldn’t have caught you when you fell.”
“You didn’t know he was going to catch me! I could have broken all my ribs.” I draw in a noisy breath, growing more agitated. “I could be in a coma right now! Then you wouldn’t feel so good about your let-me-make-my-own-choices parenting style.”
My father actually rolls his eyes at my hysterics. I don’t think he’s ever done that in his entire life. “The man loves you. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to you.”
I nearly choke on my own spit.
“Oh, Buck.” My mom swats at his bare chest. “Now you’ve done it.”
Mom keeps talking, but I can’t hear anything beyond the ringing in my skull after hearing the word love. I thought that Aaron loved me. Finding out how easily I could be cast aside nearly shattered me. But…that wasn’t love. That was emotional manipulation attached to a word.
The idea of Trevor loving me feels…
Like being wrapped in my favorite blanket with Banks and Jet sleeping in my lap.
Like my ideal day stretched out before me—gardening and puzzling and eating entirely too much ice cream.
Like coming home.
It feels real in every sense of the word. A flood of memories surges forward. All of Trevor’s tiny actions stack upon each other like bricks.
Real love is in the details.
It’s being patient when I take entirely too long to choose which sticker to go on my chore sheet.
It’s charging my phone when I leave it out.
It’s burning up because he’s reset the thermostat to keep me warm.
It’s not getting bored when I ramble about accounting or Marvel movies…
or anything really. It’s always prioritizing me even when his schedule is bonkers and his life beyond hectic.
“Actually, Mom, I think I—”
A rap at the door stops me from telling my mom the truth.
“Come in,” Mom says for me since my brain is currently overheating.
Trevor’s eyes turn stormy as he rushes to crouch beside my chair. “I thought I heard Loretta’s voice. Is everything okay? Is there a problem at the farm?”
“No, no,” Dad says. “Kenzie was just telling us the good news about you two.”
His shoulders drop as a boyish smile blooms on his lips.
“Speaking of which…” I shake off the realization surging through my veins in order to take a few moments to detail the theatrics from this evening’s game and media session.
Now my parents won’t be surprised when Ethel beelines for their stand in a few hours.
Mom is cackling by the end of the story while Dad keeps smiling at the two of us.
“You should come visit us when the season is over,” Dad tells Trevor. “We’d love to have you.”
“That—” Trevor clears his throat. “I would be honored.”
Mom waves a hand. “Don’t get too excited. We’ll be putting you to work.”
“I don’t mind work.” Trevor’s lips twitch up.
“We could probably come to you in late winter if we strategize our greenhouse plantings,” Mom adds, smiling fondly at my dad. “It’d be nice to see the ocean again.”
The last time they’d been to the coast had been on their honeymoon.
“Our home is always open to you.”
Mom shares a look with Dad before we all say our goodbyes.
Trevor stands, extending a hand to me. My fingers slide into it with a smile while my other hand pockets my phone. I expect him to open the cracked door, so the air puffs out of my lungs when Trevor brackets my hips and backs me into it.