I hadn’t thought I could feel any more surprised, but I did. The only thing keeping me from exploding was Kane’s strong arms around me.
“And Eliana, we think she might have been responsible for the fire that killed your grandparents. There was more talk of insurance and getting rid of responsibility. We still have a lot of work to do to make those charges stick, but I wanted you to hear it from me that it’s a good possibility. We’ll also be re-opening the case of your father’s death.”
I just lay there, Kane stroking my hair as I absorbed all that I’d learned.
Agent Mason patted my hand and shook Kane’s. Agent Grinstead did the same. I had the presence of mind to thank them, then they were gone.
“I’m so sorry,” Zoe said and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m going to leave the two of you alone. Do you want me to take Target back to my place?”
I thought of my furry hero, who would be much happier in a home than a car. “Please. And give him a big bone. And a bath. He loves those.” Zoe nodded and headed toward the door. “And give him a kiss. Tell him he’s a good boy.”
“Yes, Mama.” She was halfway out the door when she stopped and came back, digging in her jeans pocket. She pulled out Nana’s ring. “Thought you might like this back.”
Kane took it from her and kissed my cheek. “You’d be right.”
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Kane
I had a dream.
It was a damn big one. A dream so big that only a handful of men ever got to achieve it.
There were a million youngsters who picked up a bat and glove and ran out on a field for the first time each year. Those little guys were missing teeth and hammering away at the tee. Then those kids got older. Some lost interest. Some got cut from teams — a few didn’t care, the rest had their hearts broken. By high school, those Little League numbers had dwindled down to nearly nothing. Then they dwindled down even more. Only half a percent of high school seniors would ever be drafted to an MLB team.
Fewer than that would ever wear a World Series ring.
I was one of them.
Me.
I had stood on first base and tagged out the winning run. I still couldn’t believe it.
It was something. Actually, it was a repeat of something.
Ninth inning.
Two outs.
Runner on second.
We were up by one.
My girl was in the stands.
Just like the game when I’d damn near broke my leg.
There was a big difference though. This time we were playing game seven of the World Series.
The batter stepped up to the plate. Calvin wound up for the pitch.
Crack!
Damn thing came at me, knee level, like it was fired from a gun. But… I caught it.
Me.
Kane Bartholomew Steele.
I caught the last out, and the entire world went crazy.
I never thought anything could ever surpass that feeling, that sense of achievement and teamwork. The glory.
And then the music began to play…
And I saw her.
Eliana.
And I realized another type of dream was in the midst of coming true.
White dress, frothy veil not quite thick enough to hide the freckles I loved so much. She was walking toward me on the arm of my grandmother in the silk and lace dress that looked like it was created just for her, a bouquet of blush pink and white roses, dahlias, and peonies in her hands. Her grandmother’s favorite.
It was a slow walk, but it didn’t matter because it gave me more time to just look at her. To feel every cell in my body attempt to explode from pure happiness.
Our wedding was perfect. My parents, my sisters, and our friends — my team — surrounded us. Zoe was the only bridesmaid, and Target sat at her feet, our rings tied to his collar.
When Nana tucked Eliana’s hand into mine and kissed my cheek, I knew real glory. Real achievement. Real teamwork. Real love.
Before the preacher uttered a word, I pulled Eliana closer. Her eyes widened in surprise at this breach in procedure. The wedding planner was probably having a heart attack at the back of the church.
“Marry me.”
She laughed and looked down at her dress. “I think that’s what I’m doing.”
I was serious.
After I was released from the hospital, our lives had been nothing but a tornado driving us toward today. The Beasts rebounded from our losses and went on another winning streak, just enough to land us in the playoffs as a wildcard. We’d fought through every game, refusing to give up. And by my side was Eliana, my good luck charm. And Target, the good dog who rarely left our sides.
I wasn’t the only one who was busy. Eliana became the voice of revenge porn and was invited to a number of major news channels for interviews. There were even talks about doing a documentary to raise awareness and increase the laws protecting the victims.
I was so proud of her. Proud of the me I was with her. And even though all of this started off as a lark, I never wanted it to end.
“Marry me,” I repeated and pushed the veil over her head so she could see me and I could see her. See how much I meant this. “Forever marry me, Eliana. Have my babies and let’s grow old and gray together. I love you. And I want to be your husband, and I want you to be my—”
She placed her fingers on my lips, smiling gently. The strong one this time. “Shhh… you had me at forever.”
My face exploded into a grin as all my dreams came true. “Is that a yes?”
She bit her bottom lip, her blue eyes shining. “Will she, won’t she?”
The preacher leaned forward. “Should I come back later?”
We both laughed, and I could hear the rumble of laughter all around us. Our friends. Our family. And a woof.
“Don’t you go anywhere,” Eliana fake demanded and turned to face him, “you’ve got a forever marriage to perform.”
The preacher winked. “Yes, ma’am.”
And in the space of a few moments, a different kind of winning streak was born.
THE END
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