I clung to her as I reached out with my free hand and grabbed Mom’s. My head was resting against Delilah’s chest. The dull beeping of the machines kept me from slipping into a deep sleep, but I kept clinging to the woman who was becoming the center of my universe and holding the hand of the person that had been there for me every day throughout my life.
Chapter 31
Gunner
“Are you sure you don’t want to come? I’d like for you to be there.” I cradled the phone between my ear and shoulder. The hitch in Ms. Young’s voice tore at something in my chest, but I’d keep trying.
Ms. Young had begun watching Tucker so Delilah could run errands. Sometimes Delilah didn’t really need to run errands, but since learning about Declan, she wanted to bring Ms. Young into our lives in any way she could. And Tuck brought a smile to anyone’s face. Ms. Young was even watching Rattler that evening because we’d be gone for the night. If she had agreed to go with us, we would’ve found other arrangements.
“I’m sure,” Ms. Young said. “Congratulations, Gunner. Enjoy the day.” She hung up before I could reply. I ran a hand through the dark locks I’d tried to comb into submission. I’d been in front of the press before, but this was different. Delilah, Tuck, and Mom would be in the audience. It was a new team.
Smooth, slender arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I laid my hands over hers and squeezed. Her breasts were pressed against my back, and every inch of her body was molded to some part of mine.
“We’re ready,” Delilah said.
I spun around, putting my arm around her. She melted into my side like she belonged there. She did belong there. Delilah had gotten around every defense I had up. I was defenseless against her.
“How are you feeling, Mom?” I asked when we entered Delilah’s living room. She’d stayed at my cabin while I’d been at Delilah’s.
Mom stopped packing her purse and sighed before standing and placing her hands on her hips. “Gunner, you listen here. I’m saying this one more time and then I’ve had it. I’m done after that.” She took a step toward me, leaning in to make sure I understood every word that was coming out of her mouth. “It was one cold. It was one day in the hospital. There is nothing getting me down today. I feel fine. No nausea.”
“Woah,” Tucker whispered. “She looks like you, Mom.”
Delilah chuckled and patted my back. A tiny smile played on her face as if she enjoyed this.
“Today,” Mom continued, ignoring the others in the room, “cancer does not exist. Chemo does not exist. If you ask me how I’m feeling one more time, I’ll grind you up, make you into a ball, and pitch it to Tucker so he can knock you out of the park!”
I pulled my ear. The last of her words had risen to an octave not meant for humans.
“Alright,” I said. “I—” I started to explain myself but stopped when I caught her glare. I knew when to shut up. “Alright, let’s go.”
Delilah locked up her house as we headed out. The luggage for the night was in the car. We would be staying in Austin; I’d booked a three-bedroom suite downtown. I had a night planned for the four of us—then some time with just Delilah while Mom watched Tucker.
Tucker’s excitement escalated throughout the drive to Austin. “Look! There it is!” He pointed through the front windshield. He was leaning over the center console, straining his seat belt to its maximum capacity. The Austin Rattlers stadium was slowly rising in front of us as we inched along in traffic.
Deep purple and silver banners waved from street lamps and flagpoles. The Texas flag and the United States flag flew high in the air, whipping in the wind. The stadium lights were off. As we edged closer, I made out the details on the old red brick archways. The history of the team and the state were carved into the stone.
Playing for the home team is every child athlete’s dream. I couldn’t believe I would be living my dream, and the people in the car with me made it that much sweeter.
Even with the cool air and blowing air conditioner, my brow broke out in a sweat. I glanced at the time. There was no telling how a new member of the team would be received. Every locker room was unique, with its own hierarchy, and finding your place wasn’t always easy and could make or break a career.
I drove into the underground garage for players, employees, and families of the team. “This is where you’ll park when y’all come to games,” I said to Delilah.
Her eyes widened at the row of fancy cars, mostly fast sports cars. Some were decked out in the colors of the team. “I don’t need a special place to park.”
“Wives and girlfriends park with the players,” I said, raising her hand to kiss the back of it.
“Mom,” Tucker hissed. “We need to park here. Look at these cars! What if we see players! Oh my god! Can we go to opening day? I’ll save all my allowance! I swear!”
“We’ll have to see,” Delilah said.
I squeezed her hand and turned toward her. “You’ll be at opening day.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off with another kiss on her hand and repeated myself. “You’ll be at opening day.”
Delilah grinned and leaned across the console to lay her head on my shoulder and planted a kiss, which I felt through the fabric of my shirtsleeve.
“Ew,” Tucker said. “Mom, you can’t act all lovey-dovey inside! You’ll embarrass Gunner.”
I parked and turned in my seat. “I’ll always be proud to have your mom next to me and any time she kisses me, it’ll only make everyone wish they had what we do. She’d never embarrass me.”
And she wouldn’t. I couldn’t be prouder walking into my new home stadium with her on my arm. She was beautiful and confident. And the long legs showcased under her red dress were tantalizing. I still wasn’t sure how she’d come like a fastball into my life and taken over every thought, but I never wanted her to leave.
Tucker tilted his head, reminding me of Delilah, before he nodded. “You’re right. She’s the best.”
“Damn right,” I said.
We exited the car and strolled to the door. Delilah was next to me, holding my hand, and Tucker was on my other side. I laid a hand on his shoulder, and he walked right next to me, taller than I’d ever seen him. His eyes were darting around the underground garage like it was the holy grail, and he hadn’t even seen the good stuff yet. Mom was on Delilah’s other side, striding toward the doors, looking happy.
“You have a lovely family.” Mr. Owings, the Rattlers’ general manager, shook my hand when the cameras were off and the press was exiting the room. The press conference had been the usual. I’d answered questions for the media, I’d put on my new uniform, and they’d taken photos. Photos I’d made Delilah, Tuck, and Mom join me for.
Buttoning up the purple jersey with silver stitching had been surreal. Declan and I had gone to Rattlers games as kids, and we’d worn their name with pride, but I’d never truly thought I would be playing here.
“Thank you.” I glanced over at them. Delilah was taking pictures of Tuck sitting at the table I’d just left. He was acting like he was talking into the microphone while wearing the jersey I’d requested for him. It was a replica of mine made in his size.