Chapter 41
FORTY-ONE
CANE
THREE YEARS LATER
There have been a lot of moments that I’ve been proud of my girlfriend.
Too many to count because she’s Harland fucking Meadows.
She’s as badass as they come, so how couldn’t I be proud?
But today, she’s just played her first pro softball game as a Northern Nor’easter.
She played the entire game, had a single, a double, and a triple, and she made a few crucial outs for her team behind the plate.
And now she’s signing autographs for a group of little girls, all of them wearing a shirt with Meadows on the back and a two below her last name.
I’m watching her live her dream right now, and as cheesy as it probably sounds, her dream is my dream. So, I can say with absolute certainty that this is the best day of my entire life.
Harland always knew that she wanted to play softball for as many years as her body would allow her to play.
And playing in this professional softball league was always her goal.
I never had that dream to play in the MLB.
I love the game, sure. I always will too. But not enough to do it professionally.
Besides, if Harland and I were both professional ball players, when the fuck would we see each other?
Instead, I got the opportunity to open a baseball and softball training facility right here, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the Nor’easters are based.
And when Harland isn’t training here at the stadium, she coaches some softball clinics at the facility.
I feel like I found my calling, and if she hadn’t gotten the opportunity to play here, I don’t think I ever would have had this happen for me. So, like everything else, I have her to thank for helping me find what the hell I wanted to do with my life.
More people gather around her, and I know my girlfriend; she’d sign autographs all night without complaining because that’s just who she is.
But when the assistant coach comes over, uttering something to her, she nods and signs a few more things before waving politely at everyone, likely telling them she’ll return shortly, once she’s done with whatever it is the coach needs her for.
Interviews probably.
Her mom walks beside me, holding a bag up. “Got my Nor’easter merch,” she says with a grin, peeking inside the bag. “And let me tell you, it was not cheap.”
I chuckle, taking a sip from my water. “She looks so happy, doesn’t she?” I say mindlessly, and she looks down at her daughter.
“She sure does,” she answers softly. “I wish her dad were here to see her. He would be so proud.” She pauses briefly.
“She’s worked for this moment her entire life.
As a kid, she knew this was what she wanted in her future.
It seemed far-fetched to so many, you know.
But I know my Harley girl. So, I knew … I knew that if she wanted this, she would get here.
” She wipes her eyes. “There is no stopping that girl once she decides something.”
“I want to marry your daughter,” I blurt out. I pinch the bridge of my nose because that’s not at all how I envisioned asking her if I could marry Harland.
Swallowing, I exhale. “What I mean is, I really want to ask her if she’ll marry me. I’ve wanted to for a while now, but she’s been gearing up for opening day for months, and I just didn’t want to overshadow this day with anything else.”
She turns toward me; her mouth hangs open slightly. “Why are you always so damn selfless, kid?” She swats me gently. “It’s scary.”
“Well, I did go to therapy for it once, just so you know,” I deadpan before quickly shaking my head. “I’m kidding—kind of.” I stammer over my words. “Anyway … would it be okay with you? If I, uh, asked her?”
She stares at me, seemingly studying my face before finally, she throws her arms around my neck.
“I would love it if you did,” she says, practically sobbing.
“You two … you just get each other. And I’ll tell you, I never knew if anyone would get her the way she deserves.
But you, Cane? You do.” She squeezes me.
“And I know he isn’t here for you to ask, but I can tell you with my whole heart that if her daddy were here, he would say yes too. I know that.”
Now my eyes are glossing over, and I swallow back a lump. “Thank you,” I whisper. “Thank you so much.”
Today has been pretty fucking amazing. But now I want to make it even better. And while it’s for her, it’s also for me too. Because, goddamn, I want that woman to be my wife.
HARLEY
After all the interviews are done and all the autographs are signed, I gather my things up in the dugout, unable to stop myself from looking out onto the field.
I showed them, Dad …
I think about those words in my head, truly feeling like I really have shown anyone who ever doubted me or told me I wasn’t good enough that I am. And I got to play my first professional softball game today with my mom and my boyfriend cheering for me in the stands.
What in the world could top that?
“Taking it in, Catch?” Cane’s deep voice drawls, one foot propped up inside the dugout.
Without thinking twice, I run toward him, throwing myself into his arms.
“You did so good, baby,” he utters against the top of my hair. “So fucking good.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I angle my chin upward so that he’ll kiss me. Right away, he does, and I melt against him like an ice cube on the hot pavement.
“Was it everything you dreamed of?” he says softly, lacing his fingers between mine.
I nod against him. “It really was,” I whisper, looking at him. “And guess what made it better.”
“What’s that?”
“Having you here,” I say honestly. “Not just today, but here in New Hampshire … always.”
“Wherever you go, I go.” He kisses my forehead. “My sexy, professional softball–playing girlfriend.” He gazes down at me, the corner of his lip turned up in a tiny smirk. “Although I do have one question for you.”
“What’s that?”
Slowly, his hand releases mine, and he moves away from me the slightest bit before he sinks down onto his knee. He holds a ring out, and his eyes, along with mine, are teary before he even speaks.
“I was wondering if you’d marry me, Harland Meadows.
I know you’re way out of my league, and I know you’re a busy woman with big dreams, but I have to tell you, I could watch you play ball for the rest of my life and be content.
And I promise to always bring you snacks and make sure your catcher’s bag has Wild Berry Skittles and grape Gatorade in it too. ”
“You want to marry me?” I squeak, my vision blurry.
“I do.” He nods. “Because you make everything better. And because you are my favorite part of every single day. And I know to the softball nation, you’re Harley Meadows, but to me, I can’t wait till you’re Harland Hale.
” He stops, shrugging. “Although if you want to keep your maiden name, I’d understand. I just want to be your husband, Catch.”
“Yes,” I sob, grabbing his face and pulling him up from his knees. “Yes. Yes. Yes!” I hold my hand out, letting him slide the ring on before I attack his lips.
I just played in my first professional softball game, and then the love of my life proposed to me—in a dugout, of all places …
How can I beat that?
Lifting me up, he holds me in his arms, and I stare up at my soon-to-be husband.
“You’ve seen me at my worst, and you’ve seen me at my best,” I whisper. “Thank you for loving me so fiercely through both.” I smile through my tear-soaked lashes. “And thank you for helping me find my way back.”
His eyebrows pull together. “Your way back?”
“To happiness,” I whisper. “You are the happiest part of my day too, Cane Hale,” I say genuinely. “And even though today, playing ball, was a fairy tale … this part right now? It means even more.” I press my lips to his. “My dad would have loved you.”
His eyes stay on mine, and he barely nods. “Mine would have loved you too.”
It’s unfair that his father will never see the man he’s grown up to be. And it’s agonizing that mine won’t walk me down the aisle when I marry the man I love. But through the pain of not having our dads, we found each other when we both needed it most.
And in some ways, it seems like maybe someone up above did that for us, knowing we’d need someone.
Cane could have played in the MLB. There were teams—good teams—that wanted him. Instead, he chose to put his time and wisdom about the game into helping young athletes develop the skills and love for baseball and softball while I chase my dreams, playing pro ball.
I’ve come to realize that Cane putting everyone before himself isn’t a flaw or a result of his trauma. It’s just who he is as a person. I hope, one day, I can repay him for all the times he’s put me first. But until I do, I’m going to spend my days loving him fiercely.
As I look into his eyes and see my whole future, I know that what I said is true. My dad would have loved this man.
I found a good one.
No … the best one found me.
And like I told him years ago, in my darkest hour … he really did hold me up. And I hope that I can spend the rest of my life doing the same for him when he needs it.
The End