Chapter 40
MYLES
It’s the bottom of the ninth, and I’m up to bat. Our teams are tied, and we’re so close to winning I can taste it.
As I walk out, I can clearly see Emma sitting at the very top of the bleachers. She waves when our eyes meet and my heart skips.
A few rows below her, Mom sits next to Adam, cheering me on. Mom went all out, wearing our school colors. She even made a sign. It’s embarrassing, but I love it.
I tap home plate with my bat and make sure I have a good grip before I bring it over my shoulder. I take a deep breath as I bend my knees and watch the pitcher.
He throws the ball and I swing with all my might. The ball slams against the bat and flies through the air. It soars over the other team’s players and across the fence.
I’m so shocked, I don’t move until everyone behind me starts yelling. I jog forward and the dirt billows behind me.
The crowd cheers as I run, rushing from base to base. I imagine my dad standing at home base and I run faster, harder. He’s waving me on like he did at my Little League games.
My foot hits home. There’s yelling and cheering. My team runs onto the field and Sam practically attacks me. In the chaos I catch a glimpse of my mother. She smiles at me, and the happiness in her eyes warms my heart.
I smile back, and I want to cry. Not because I’m sad but because having her here makes me feel closer to Dad.
And I know if Dad were here, he would be proud. Not just of the game, but he’d be proud of us.
Of Mom and me.
I walk home with Emma after the game, and we stand just far enough away for our hands to brush against each other every few steps.
“I missed seeing you in your little baseball outfit,” she says.
I laugh. “Excuse me. My what?”
“You heard me.” There’s a smirk on her face.
“It’s a baseball uniform. Thank you very much.”
“My bad.” She lifts her fist to her mouth and clears her throat. “Your little baseball uniform.”
I glare at her even though I secretly missed how it felt to have her tease me. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”
She shrugs, eyeing me. “I think I’m okay with that.”
“Oh really?” I ask with a glint in my eye.
She steps farther away, catching on to what I’m about to do. “Don’t.”
But she knows better and takes off running toward her house.
I run up behind her just as she’s about to reach the steps and wrap my arms around her waist.
“Gotcha,” I say.
She squeals. “You cheated. Your legs are longer.”
“You had a head start.”
I spin her around and my heart stops.
She looks up at me with the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen, and I can’t look away from her.
My gaze drops to her lips and heat rises up my neck.
I want to give in and do what I was too afraid to do when I was younger.
But I just got her back and I don’t want to scare her away.
What if kissing her is too much too soon?
If I stand here much longer, I won’t be able to stop myself.
“You should probably go inside,” I whisper.
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” She steps back, and tears my heart away with her. “Goodnight, Myles.”
Her hair is a mess from me chasing her down the road.
“Wait,” I say, biting my lip.
She stops.
I step closer and I tuck one of the loose strands of hair behind her ear, but it isn’t enough. Before I can stop myself, I lean down and kiss her forehead.
When I pull away, she stares at me intently, like she’s trying to understand, but she doesn’t say anything.
My nerves start going haywire inside my body. I’m worried I just ruined all the progress we’ve made.
I wish she’d speak. Is she upset? Did I make her uncomfortable? I should’ve thought that through. What If she doesn’t even like me like that?
“Goodnight, Emma,” I say, stepping away to give her space.
I take two steps when she yells, “Hey!”
A lump grows in the back of my throat, and I freeze.
“Are you serious? That’s it?” She glares at me, pointing to herself. “I’ve been waiting for you to kiss me since I was eight!”
Something snaps inside of me and I sprint back toward her. I cup her face in my hands and I lower my mouth to hers, kissing her.
This isn’t just anyone. This is Emma. The girl I daydreamed about. The girl I couldn’t forget no matter how hard I tried, and even after all our time apart, there’s still an undeniable connection between us. A magnetic force so strong I know nothing will ever be able to separate us.
I kiss her like I need it more than air. Like if she stops, so will my heart.
This kiss doesn’t feel like a passing moment. It’s a promise that Emma and I are mending the broken bridge between us.
This is how we were meant to be—inseparable.