Chapter 34
Dylan
Agent Webster arranged for Faye to take an early-morning flight to D.C.
, giving the three of us one more night together.
It wasn’t as much time as any of us had wanted, but I took the win where I could.
Even with additional agents stationed just outside the door and rotating through the room, I was grateful for every extra minute we had before reality forced us apart again.
We were crammed into the backseat of a black SUV on our way to the airport, the sun just beginning to rise over the horizon.
Jase and I already needed to change our flights because of the trade, so we went ahead and scheduled them earlier than originally planned.
We saw no point in staying when Faye was leaving.
Portland was waiting, and so were the rest of our lives, whether we were ready or not.
The SUV slowed as we pulled up to the private terminal, and for a moment, none of us moved.
Faye sat between us, her hands threaded through ours, but I wasn’t ready to let go.
“I hate that our trip was cut short,” she sighed. “It feels like no matter what we do—no matter how careful we are or how much we try to keep things just between us—something always comes along and ruins it.”
Frustration laced her words, and I felt it as well.
I squeezed her hand. “Maybe that’s been part of the problem.”
She turned to look at me, her brows pulling together. “What do you mean?”
Jase shifted closer, cupping the side of her face and turning her gently toward him. His thumb brushed her cheek. “We’ve been so focused on keeping our relationship out of the headlines to avoid any fallout.”
Her lips parted, yet she didn’t interrupt him.
“That’s on us, too,” he continued. “We wanted something that felt normal so badly that we all agreed it made sense for you to go without protection for the trip.”
She swallowed. “It’s not your fault, so don’t feel bad. We agreed that walking around with a security detail drew more attention. I never suspected I was causing more problems by doing my own thing.”
“Hey,” I cut in. “If you won’t let us blame ourselves, you can’t do that either. We all wanted the same thing. But maybe it’s time we stop pretending we live in a world where no one pays attention to us.”
Faye’s gaze shifted between us. “You’re right. I guess a part of me has been wondering whether you’d stick around if the media started scrutinizing you the way they do me.”
I lifted her chin and brushed her lips with a gentle kiss.
“What did we tell you at that gala? Nothing is going to scare us away. We love you, and that hasn’t changed.
If we become the subjects of news stories, I think I speak for both of us when I say we won’t care.
Nothing anyone says about us will ever change how we feel about you. ”
Faye exhaled slowly. “Nothing can change how I feel about you either.”
One of the agents finally opened the door, signaling it was time for her to leave. We climbed out, gathered her luggage, and walked her to the secured entrance.
“Call us as soon as you land,” Jase said, then bent down to kiss her goodbye.
I stepped in next and pressed my mouth against hers.
“Go take care of what you need to,” I told her quietly as I pulled away. “But after that, we’re going to figure out how to stop hiding.”
She smiled. “I like the sound of that. I won’t be away long.”
Jase let out a breath. “That’s good. It doesn’t feel right when you’re not with us.”
For a moment, the three of us just stood there, pressed together in the early morning quiet.
Then the agent cleared his throat.
Time.
Faye stepped back, adjusting her bag over her shoulder. “Love you both.”
“Love you too,” we replied in unison.
She smiled, and then she was gone.
It was a comfortable seventy-eight degrees when we landed in Portland, but despite the perfect weather, all I could think about was Faye on the opposite coast.
Between the chaos of the night before and the early-morning rush to get her on a flight, neither of us had thought to call our dads to tell them we were getting in a day early.
That meant no one was waiting for us at arrivals.
It was just Jase and me, rolling our bags through the sliding glass doors toward the passenger pickup area.
Jase walked beside me, his hat pulled low, his jaw tight. He hadn’t said much on the flight. Neither had I. We’d spent most of it staring out the window or checking our phones, as if she might suddenly text to say she was already back.
“Just ordered a rideshare,” I told him as we reached an empty bench.
He nodded as if he’d already known I was going to take care of that.
This was our home now, even if it didn’t quite feel like it yet. We’d already been in college when our dads moved to Portland, but with the Seawolves trading for us, this was where our future would take shape.
The ride to the house passed in silence, but not the comfortable kind. No music. No jokes. Just the city passing by as we drove into the suburbs.
As the driver pulled into the driveway, the front door swung open.
Chase stepped out first, already grinning, wearing a T-shirt and sweats as if he’d been relaxing for once. My dad followed close behind, his hair damp, likely coming straight from the shower, his smile just as wide.
“Our boys are home,” Chase announced, spreading his arms wide.
Jase had barely grabbed his bag from the trunk when Chase was there, pulling him in with one arm and slapping his back with the other.
“Hey, Dad,” Jase said, and I could hear the effort it took to put any enthusiasm into it.
My dad came straight for me next, wrapping me in a tight hug. “Dylan. We figured you’d want to stay in Vegas as long as you could and wouldn’t be here until tomorrow.”
I swallowed. “Change of plans.”
He pulled back to study my face. Whatever he saw there made his smile falter. His gaze shifted to Jase, then back to me.
Chase must’ve noticed it too, because his brows drew together. “Okay. I was expecting a bit of excitement about you both getting traded to the Seawolves, but you two look like someone stole Christmas.”
“Yeah,” my dad added. “What’s going on?”
Jase exhaled. “We’re fine.”
Chase didn’t hesitate. “No, you’re not.”
I glanced at Jase. He met my gaze, and we shared one of those silent conversations we’d perfected as kids.
I nodded once, letting him know I was cool with whatever he wanted to share.
“Can we go inside?” Jase asked.
Chase’s expression shifted instantly. “Yeah, of course.”
Dad closed the door behind us, and we dropped our bags by the entry before moving into the living room. Chase didn’t sit. He stayed standing, arms crossed, as if bracing for impact.
Once we were settled, Jase rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. “You know we were in Vegas with Faye.”
Dad nodded. “Yeah. Did something happen? Did you break up?”
“No,” I said immediately. “We didn’t break up.”
“But something did happen,” Jase added. “She was attacked by a guy she knows.”
The room went still.
Dad’s face hardened. “Is she all right?”
“She’s okay,” I said quickly. “She fought back, hit the asshole with a lamp, and got out.”
Chase let out a breath. “Oh, thank God.”
Dad nodded, but his jaw stayed tight. “We heard on the news this morning that a senator’s son was arrested in Vegas.”
My stomach twisted. “That was him.”
Both of them swore under their breaths.
“And that’s why you came here early,” Chase stated, not a question.
Jase nodded. “The Secret Service moved her to D.C. They wanted her somewhere more controlled for the time being.”
Chase dragged a hand down his face. “That makes sense, but definitely sucks for you all.”
My dad shook his head. “I hate that all three of you went through that, but I’m glad you’re here and safe.”
Chase looked at us again, really looked this time. “So what do you guys need now? Food, showers, or a nap?”
Jase and I exchanged a glance, then he nodded.
I leaned forward. “Actually, there’s something else we should probably share.”
Silence stretched between us, and in the moment I felt like I was standing in front of an open door and trusting that everything would be okay when I stepped through to the other side.
Jase cleared his throat. “You both already know we’re dating Faye.”
Chase nodded. “Yeah …”
“She’s good for both of you,” my dad added.
“There’s more,” Jase said.
Chase tilted his head, his eyes narrowing just slightly. “Okay.”
Jase took a breath. “We’re together too.”
For a second, neither of our dads spoke.
Then Chase blinked. Once. Twice. “Together? As in—”
“As in, we’re an us,” I explained. “Not just with her.”
My dad’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.”
Jase let out a weak laugh. “Neither were we, to be honest.”
Chase’s mouth curved into a small smile. “And you were scared to tell us?”
I looked down and nodded.
He crossed the room and clapped each of us on the shoulders. “You both should know that all we ever want is for you to be happy. If being in a relationship with each other and another person makes you happy, then we couldn’t ask for anything more.”
My dad nodded. “We love you. Everything about you.”
Jase swallowed hard. “You’re okay with this?”
“Of course we are,” Chase said. “We raised you better than to think love is something to be ashamed of.”
Dad chuckled. “Can’t believe you guys were nervous about telling us, of all people.”
Jase snorted. “Hopefully, our new teammates will be cool with it too, because we don’t intend to keep things a secret anymore.”
Chase rolled his eyes playfully. “Crew and Knox just celebrated their one-year anniversary. Aron and Drew are married. Gage and I are right here.”
He was right. Crew and Knox had made coming out and getting married in the league look easy. Then there was Aron, our new manager, and his husband Drew who’d known us since we were kids. The Seawolves were probably the best place for us to end up.
“If anyone gives you shit, it’ll be because you’re Chase’s sons, not because of who you love,” Dad added.
I laughed for the first time since Vegas. “Great. They probably already thought we were nepo babies. Now that we’re on the same team, they’re going to assume we’re getting special treatment.”
Chase pointed at us. “You’ll just need to prove otherwise.”
Faye: Good luck at today’s game. Can’t wait to watch you make your Seawolves debut
Jase: Wish you were here
Faye: Me too. Hopefully, I’ll make it to Portland soon
We’ll call you after the game
Faye: You better! I want to hear all about your new team
The three of us had spent the past forty-eight hours texting as much as possible and sneaking in phone calls whenever Faye wasn’t busy providing statements to the FBI or tied up in meetings with the Secret Service.
She still didn’t have a definite date for when she’d be able to come see us, which I understood, but I couldn’t wait to have her in my arms again. I knew Jase felt the same way.
We walked behind Chase toward the stadium's employee entrance, and my entire body tingled with adrenaline.
Jase bumped my shoulder as we stepped inside. “You good?”
“Yeah.”
He gave me a look like he didn’t believe me, but I was closer to being okay than I had been in the last couple of days.
Baseball was something I understood.
It was where everything made sense.
We’d barely taken three steps inside before someone clapped Jase on the back.
“Well, if it isn’t the newly acquired package deal.”
We turned and found Crew Stratton. His husband, Knox Singleton, was right there too, with a huge grin on his face.
“Welcome to Portland,” Knox said.
“Thanks.” Jase gave him a fist bump. “Still haven’t quite wrapped my head around playing here.”
Crew nodded. “I can imagine, but we’re happy to have you both on the team.”
I nodded. “Appreciate that. And happy anniversary.”
His expression softened as he glanced at his husband. “Can’t believe it’s been a year already.”
“Okay,” my new manager’s voice cut in. “As much as I love a reunion, we have a game to prepare for.” Aron Parker stood near the lockers, hands on his hips, wearing that expression that meant he was amused but pretending not to be.
“Dylan. Jase.” He stepped forward and pulled us both into quick hugs. “Glad to have you on the team.”
“Good to see you, Skip,” Jase said.
Parker snorted. “Gotta say, it makes me feel a little old hearing you say that.” He turned to the rest of the team. “I’ve known this guy since he was barely taller than the equipment bags. And this one”—he gestured toward me—“for nearly as long.”
A few of the guys nearby laughed.
He continued, “All right, listen up for a sec. I know most of you already recognize these two, but for those who don’t, this is Dylan Statler and Jase Matthewson. They’re ours now. Treat them accordingly.”
Someone in the back muttered, “Poor bastards,” and the room burst out laughing.
Parker smiled. “Before we head out for BP, I’m giving you two the floor. If you’ve got a few words to say, now’s the time.”
Jase looked at me.
We’d talked about this—a lot. We’d talked about it with Faye too, since it was her story as well. This was the beginning of us owning our story and not caring what others had to say.
I stepped forward and took a deep breath. I could feel the weight of every pair of eyes on me.
Here goes nothing.
“You’ve probably already seen some speculation,” I started. “About Jase dating the president’s daughter.”
A couple of heads nodded. Someone let out a low whistle.
“It’s true,” I continued. “But I’m dating her as well.”
I heard a few rumblings and murmurs throughout the room.
“And,” I added, my pulse picking up, though my voice stayed calm, “Jase and I are together as well.”
Silence.
Clearly impressed, Crew let out a long, exaggerated, “Damn ...”
Knox smiled.
Parker crossed his arms and surveyed the team.
I kept going before anyone could say anything. “We know there’s going to be attention once this information goes public. Probably more than either of us wants. But we’re here to play ball. To work. To help the Seawolves win. Nothing in our personal lives is going to change that.”
Jase stepped in beside me. “If anything, we’re more locked in than ever.”
A beat passed.
Then Parker clapped his hands. “All right. We’re all here for the same thing.” He looked around the room. “Anyone got a problem with that?”
A few responded, “No, Skip.”
“Okay. Now, let’s get out on the field,” Parker instructed.
We headed to our dugout, and several guys came up to introduce themselves. Everyone was cool and seemed genuinely happy to have us there. Honestly, it’s what I expected, given the kind of team Parker strived to create.
I stepped onto the field, ready to take my cuts for batting practice, and scanned the stands without really meaning to.
Then I saw her.