27. Killian #3
Several fans pick up on Isla’s words and help spread the love as shouts are heard from all around the stadium.
“We love you, Haynesy!”
“You’ve got this, Haynes!”
“Let’s go, Haynes!”
“Bring it home, Haynes!”
I take a deep breath and settle myself into position. The batter is staring me down, ready for whatever comes his way, but he has no clue what’s really coming.
“Toot toot, motherfucker!” I mutter to myself before I pitch the ball. It spins through the air, looking like a fastball until the last second when it drops, catching the outside corner of the plate. The batter swings, his bat cutting through empty air…and that’s the game.
“Strike three!”
For exactly one heartbeat the stadium is silent. Then it explodes one last time. The team swarms the field, Bishop reaching me first, throwing his arms around me in a bone-crushing hug. “You did it, Kill! You fucking did it!”
“We did it, Hop. We all did it!”
“Fucking playoffs, bro! The PLAYOFFS!”
I can barely process his words as the rest of the team piles on, their voices blending into a roar of celebration. But I’m not focused on them. I’m scanning the crowd frantically, searching for her.
For my girl.
For my Isla.
Finally, I find her. The flash of red hair giving her away.
Security is already helping her get to the field and without thinking, I push through my teammates, my cleats digging into the dirt as I sprint to her.
I reach her just as her feet touch the field and I immediately sweep her into my arms, lifting her off the ground, crushing her to my chest and swinging her around.
She laughs, that beautiful sound that’s been missing from my life for days, and wraps her arms around my neck.
When I finally stop moving, I hold her against me as I stare into her glistening green eyes. “You came back,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion.
“I never left,” she says, tears falling down her gorgeous face.
“I couldn’t leave, Killian. I couldn’t leave you.
I almost lost my life eight years ago,” she tells me, her voice steady despite the tears falling.
“And then I spent all those following years trying not to need anybody. Trying not to love anybody because I didn’t want to lose anyone else.
But then you showed up,” she continues with a smile.
“And somehow you made me realize loving someone isn’t the scary part.
The scary part is never loving them at all. ”
I’ve waited so damn long to hear words like this. For someone to really mean it and fuck me, I can barely process what’s happening.
“I love you, Killian Haynes,” Isla announces proudly, her voice breaking on my name. “I’ve loved you longer than I’ve been willing to admit, even to myself.”
I pull her closer, needing to feel her solid against me. “Say it again. I need to hear it again.”
She laughs, the sound bright and clear despite her tears.
“I love you, Killian. I love your stupid jokes and your ridiculous dance moves. I love how you look at me like I’m the only person in the entire stadium.
I love how you call me Coach even when I’m being an idiot.
I love every single thing about you, and I’m not going anywhere. ”
“What about New York?” I ask her, secretly hoping she doesn’t give me more bad news because I certainly don’t want to deal with it right now.
Not tonight.
“Well, it just so happens that my boss called me during the game.”
My brows pique. “She did?”
“Mm-hmm.” Isla smiles. “She told me that Kristan decided she didn’t want to continue in the position because she’s enjoying being at home with her baby girl.
So, she’s not coming back and…” she shrugs.
“I mean, it looks like you guys are going to need someone to help you get to your playoff games so…”
I beam back at her. “So, you’re staying? Permanently?”
“For as long as the Lagers will have me.” She nods, giggling.
I lift her and swing her again. “Isla Fallon, I’m going to fuck you so hard when we get home.” I rip off my hat and turn it around putting it on backwards. “But right now I’m going to kiss the hell out of you right here in front of this entire stadium.”
She laughs and that beautiful smile melts me. “I’ve been wondering what’s taking so long.”
I crash my lips against hers, pouring every ounce of emotion I’ve been holding back for days into this one kiss.
The stadium is still celebrating around us but I don’t hear a thing.
All I can focus on is the feel of her in my arms, the taste of her lips, and the way she wraps her hands around my neck, claiming me as hers.
When we finally break apart, both of us gasping for air, I press my forehead against hers. “You have no idea what these past few days have been like without you,” I tell her. “I’m so fucking sorry for how I acted.”
“No, Killian,” she splutters, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not being honest with my feelings from the get-go. I’m sorry for even thinking that leaving would be better for both of us.”
“I really thought I’d lost you.”
“You can’t lose me, Killian,” she says, her voice steady despite the tears still streaming down her face. “Not unless you want to.”
“Never,” I promise, my voice cracking with emotion. “I’ll never want to. And I’ll never leave you, Coach. I promise I’ll be right by your side for as long as you’ll have me. You’re my person and I need you in my life. I love you, Isla. Fuck, I love you so damn much.”
“I love you too, Kill.”
The team surrounds us now, their celebrations momentarily paused as they watch us with knowing grins. Bishop steps forward first, clapping a hand on my shoulder.
“About fucking time,” he says, but there’s no heat in it. Just relief and happiness in his expression.
“We’re going to the playoffs!” Carter shouts, slapping my back hard enough to make me stumble.
“Thanks to you, Haynesy,” Brock adds, grinning at me. “That last pitch was sick.”
“It was all Isla,” I tell them, focusing on the woman in my arms, her smile brighter than all the stadium lights.
“I have to agree with Brock. I was third-strike smitten watching you do your thing. I’m so proud of you.”
“Hearing you in the stands…knowing you were with me gave me hope,” I reply, my voice rough with emotion.
“Hope for what?” she asks, pulling back just enough to pierce me with her emerald gaze.
“That you’d come back to me.” I brush a strand of hair from her face. “That we weren’t really over.”
“We’re not over, Killian,” she promises, her eyes full of meaning despite the smile playing at her lips. “We’re just getting started.”