Chapter 36 Fletcher
Fletcher
During my entire baseball career, my little league days included, I’ve never once stepped onto a field and not given it my all.
But, tonight I promised Hollis a win, and after what she did to prove her feelings, it’s only fair I keep my word.
So, I do what I do best and lock it in, leaving it all out here.
To say I’m on fire would be an understatement. Every chance I get I’m dishing out another trick play, and now, at the bottom of the ninth I’ve got one last chance to end things in style.
With Lando from the Rattlers on first, Cameron Beckett hits the ball straight to me. I kick the baseball up and it sinks perfectly into my glove. I send it to Mateo on second, before he cranks it off to Jaxon on first as we land the double play.
Game over.
With that, the crowd erupts into pure chaos as The Honky Tonks officially take the win.
Cannons of red, brown, and gold confetti shoot into the air as “Honky Tonk Stomp” by Brooks & Dunn plays throughout the stadium.
My first instinct is to run across the field and pull Hollis into my arms just like earlier, but the show isn’t over yet. It’s tradition for the winning team to celebrate with a choreographed dance as we perform the one we’ve spent the past two practices perfecting.
The crowd eats it up, and only as the song comes to an end do I take a quick moment to celebrate the win with my teammates. I’m given extra hugs and shoulder slaps, which I assume are half for my killer performance, and half for the fact that I’ve officially won the girl.
Hollis Clemmins is finally mine.
I know her well enough to know she’s possibly scared, and maybe even still tempted to run, but I’m not worried. I’ve put in the work before, and I’ll continue to do so now. Whatever she needs, I’ll happily give. It’s all such a small price to pay if it means I get to keep her in my life.
“Told you everything would work out,” Hudson says after pushing his way toward me. “Now go and get your woman,” he directs as he slaps my ass.
I chuckle, and I definitely don’t need to be told twice.
I scan the area before my eyes lock on from where she’s standing near the third-base line.
I take off toward her, and she starts jogging too.
When we’re only a few feet apart, I stop and open my arms. She doesn’t hesitate and jumps into them with an excited shriek.
Had I not been prepared, her impact alone could’ve knocked me flat on my ass.
But instead, I catch her easily as she wraps her legs around my waist and as her arms wind around my neck.
Neither of us hesitates as our lips collide in pure, electric relief.
I’ve waited far too long for this. It doesn’t matter that it was only a few innings ago that I got to steal a quick, much more chaste kiss.
When it comes to Hollis, and the way I crave her, I’m pretty sure it’s never going to feel like enough.
I want to deepen it and lose myself completely, but we both know that can’t happen, at least not here. She pulls back first, and I chase her lips, following the faint taste of her as I hold onto this moment for as long as I possibly can.
“Hi,” she finally says, a lovesick, happy grin plastered on her face. My gaze drops like the traitors they are, zoning in on her soft, full lips. I’m so fucking tempted to lean in for one more quick taste, but I force myself to stay strong.
Making out in front of a crowd full of fans probably isn’t the best career move.
“Hi,” I echo, dragging my eyes back to hers, silently praying I don’t find even a hint of regret or hesitation there.
“Thanks for winning for me.” Her fingers thread into the sweaty, damp hair at the base of my neck.
“Thanks for giving me a reason to.”
I’ve always been a competitive person by nature, but playing for the Honky Tonks has helped take some of the edge off. It’s no longer the end of the world if my team loses, but tonight was different. It wasn’t about the stats, my teammates or even the crowd. It was all about her.
The best part is, she’s smiling up at me like I just handed her the whole damn world. Hell, if winning is all it takes to keep her looking at me like this, then I’ll happily dedicate every win and every game to her from here on out.
“So,” a deep voice cuts in, bursting our once private, happy bubble.
I unfortunately know that voice.
I’m not one who gets intimidated easily, but right now, that sound is absolutely terrifying. Not only does it belong to my boss, but the father of the woman I’m so incredibly in love with.
“Exactly how long has this been going on?” he presses, his tone stern.
As much as I want to keep her in my arms forever, this man deserves my respect. I loosen my grip beneath Hollis’s thighs as she slides down my body until her Converse covered feet hit the grass.
“Not long,” Hollis says at the exact moment I say,
“A while.”
We exchange quick glances as his presence somehow grows even more intimidating, his strong arms folding across his sculpted chest.
“Okay, maybe it’s been going on for a little bit,” Hollis says, taking a step toward her father, “but it’s not like you think.”
“Honestly,” I cut in, done with the hiding and the sneaking around.
It’s not like I’ve ever been particularly good at it anyway.
Plus, he’s my boss—he deserves to know the truth.
“I’m not sure what you’re thinking Mr. Clemmins, but I’m crazy about your daughter.
” I sneak a quick glance at Hollis before looking back at him.
“I looked into it and while there’s no current no-fraternization policy, I want you to know that I’ve never had anything but the best of intentions for Hollis.
” I reach for her hand, threading my fingers through hers and give it a firm squeeze.
“In fact,” I say, turning to face her. “I’m in love with her. ”
Her lips part in surprise before curving into a wide, radiant grin.
“I’m so in love with you Hollis, and whether I’m allowed to stay and play for this team or not, I need you to know, I’m all in. It doesn’t matter what happens next or what team I play for. All that matters is that you’re by my side wherever I end up.”
“I love you, too, Mason!” She drops my hand and wraps her arms around my waist, and I do the same. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. It doesn’t matter where you go. I’m in. You’re it for me..”
“Hold up now,” Jared cuts in, uncrossing his arms as he holds them up. “What’s all this talk about you playing somewhere else?”
I wasn’t planning on bringing this up just yet, but I suppose now feels like as good of a time as any. I unwrap my arms from around Hollis before pulling her into my side.
“It turns out a few Major League teams have shown some interest in getting me to sign with them once my Honky Tonks contract us up,” I say, a wave of relief washing over me at finally having it all out in the open.
“But I want you to know I’m not interested.
As long as you’ll have me, this is the only team I want to play for. ”
A smile breaks through Jared’s serious demeanor.
“That’s absolutely amazing, son,” he says, his tone carrying the same fatherly kindness he shows all of us players in the league.
“That really is something. But I also want you to know that whether you’re playing for the Honky Tonks or somewhere else, you’ll always have my full support.
” He steps forward and gives my shoulder a pat.
“And most importantly, you’re always going to be wanted here—even if you’re dating my daughter. ”
“Although,” he adds, his voice sharpening just a notch, “if you treat her wrong, it won’t be your boss you’ll have to deal with. It’ll be her father. And I can assure you, he’s one tough son of a bitch when it comes to his daughter.”
I don’t doubt him for even a single second.
“You have nothing to worry about, sir,” I promise, glancing down at the beautiful brunette as she smiles up at me. “I can assure you, nobody will treat your daughter better than I will.”
“I trust you.” He nods, leaning down to give his daughter a hug and one final congratulations before excusing himself to make an appearance at the after-party held just outside the stadium.
Normally, I’m one of the first ones out there and would be going with him, but it’s probably not a surprise to anyone that Hollis and I are still lingering on the field.
There are a few staff members cleaning up the field and getting it ready for tomorrow’s practice. But thankfully, we’re finally given a mostly private moment to ourselves.
“So it’s official?” she asks, wrapping her arms back around my middle. “You’re staying with the Honky Tonks?”
“Yep,” I nod, letting one hand settle on her hip while the other cups the side of her neck.
“I’ve never felt more at home than I do here on this team.
It might not be the dream I had as a kid, but that’s only because a team like this didn’t exist back then.
” I brush soft circles over her cheek with my thumb.
“It’s an honor to be a part of history and show kids a different path forward. ”
A heavy weight lifts from my shoulders as she gazes up at me, especially as she tilts her head to press a kiss to the side of my thumb. “And I think you are absolutely the best person to do that. These kids are so lucky to have you as a role model.”
“Thanks, Holls,” I whisper, brushing a quick kiss to her lips. “And what about you? What are your plans moving forward?”
“I think I’d like to stick around Houston for a while."
A mischievous grin tugs at her lips, as she boldly hooks her fingers into my belt loops before pulling me closer.
“Really?” I ask, my voice sounding desperate even to my own ears, but damn. This is the best news I’ve gotten all night. Well, second best. Nothing will ever top hearing her say she loves me. “But only because you want to, right? Not because of me, or because you feel pressured?”
“You’re a part of it, sure.” Her hands slide up my body until they settle over my chest. “But it’s more than that.
I’ve always felt like I needed to run, and be as far away from my family and the pressure that comes with my last name, just to feel proud of myself.
But you were right. Maybe I did get this job because of who my dad is, but the success I’ve had and the growth we’ve seen is proof that I’m worthy of all of this. ”
“Say it again,” I whisper, lowering my forehead to hers.
“What? That I’m worthy?”
“No, that I was right.”
She swats at my chest “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, you still love me,” I say with a smug grin.
“And you’re lucky I do.”
“Oh, believe me. I’m quite aware of just how lucky I am.”
Instead of speaking, she curls her fingers into my jersey as she yanks me into a kiss that’s not only full of heat, but promises.
The feelings racing through me are different from what I felt after winning the game as the crowds roared and the confetti flew from the cannons. This is much quieter, yet so much deeper as we create our own kind of fireworks.
I finally deepen the kiss, pouring every last unspoken word or feeling into this moment.
There’s no doubt about it, this high is so much better than the one that came with tonight’s win.
If forced to choose between winning a game or winning Hollis, I’d choose her.
I’ll always choose her, and will for the rest of my life.