The day my mom passed away, a piece of my dad died too; he’s never been the same. He’s stayed strong-willed and hard-working, but affection disappeared. The occasional handshake and pat on the back has been my greeting when I’ve returned home, but nothing like the affection in Milly’s family. No wonder she’s as warm and incredible as she is. How could she not be?
But my dad has shown his love differently. He saw my passion and helped me in every way he could to make my passion a reality. He sacrificed, he put his actual blood and sweat into his jobs so I could be where I am today. His love is different, but it’s still love.
“Carson,” Milly calls out. I lift my gaze and see her calling me over. Throat tight, I try to relax and not let my emotions about missing my dad get the best of me. “Come here.”
I plaster a smile on my face and when I reach Milly, I take her hand in mine and let her give introductions.
“Everyone, this is Carson Stone. Carson, this is Cory, my dad, my mom, Sean, and Rian.” I reach out and go to give them a handshake, but Cory is the first to scoop me up into a hug, sending my mind into a tailspin.
Fucking Cory Potter is hugging me, straight-up . . . hugging me.
“Congratulations on graduation and the amazing season.” He pats my chest when he releases me.
“Uh, thank you,” I say right before I go down the line of family members, getting a hug from each of them and unexpected words of encouragement. By the time I’m released from Rian, I’m an emotional wreck about ready to tip over the edge into boo-hooing my way through the night.
Jesus. Get it together, man.
Milly must see the emotion clouding my eyes because she quickly snags me around the waist and says, “Shall we go get pizza?”
“Lead the way,” her dad says, motioning with his hand.
“Wait,” her mom calls out. “Pictures first, then food.”
Classic mom . . . from the brief interaction we’ve shared, my mom would have liked Mrs. Potter.
“Milly, what the fuck?”
“What?” she asks, whispering back.
“What the hell are you wearing?”
We’re sitting at the table, as her family’s still parking their car, and Milly is sitting next to me looking fine as fuck in a yellow sundress I’ve never seen before. The sleeves are capped, showing off her toned arms, and the neckline scoops just low enough for me to catch some cleavage. And did I mention the dress is hugging every last inch of her body?
She takes in her outfit and says, “It’s a dress.”
“I’m aware, but why are you wearing it?”
“Jerry helped me pick it out. You should have seen him at the department store. Kept telling everyone he was my Jerry godmother, getting me ready for my debut—I think that’s how he put it.”
“Jerry,” I mutter. “Is he trying to embarrass me in front of your family?”
Her eyes widen and she leans in even closer, her hand on my thigh. That’s not helping. “Oh my God, are you getting turned on?”
“Uh . . . yeah. My girlfriend, who I’m crazy about, showed up for graduation in a dress that’s barely containing her perfect body and decided to reveal it right before we have to eat a meal with her family.”
“Ah, you’ll survive.” She pats my cheek, her compassion at about a level two—not really giving a fuck whatsoever.
“You’re a temptress, you hear me? An evil fucking temptress.”
“Oh, is that how you really feel about me? Does that mean I’m going back to my dorm alone tonight? Such a shame, I had a new bra I wanted to show you.” She winks and then casually takes a sip of her water.
I lean over and whisper harshly into her ear, “I don’t know what you’ve done with my shy and blushing girlfriend, but if you can return her, that would be great.” And I sure as hell hope Jerry didn’t help her pick out her new underwear.
She laughs and doesn’t show one ounce of care for how incredibly turned on I am simply from the sight of her. I’m about to reprimand her again, let her know how difficult she’s making things for me, when her family walks up to the table and takes a seat. Sean and Rian sit at the end, her parents sit on the corner, and Cory sits directly in front of us.
Seriously . . . Cory Potter is about to share a pizza with me. The guys at the loft are going to shit themselves and yeah, I had zero chill and asked for a picture with the guy in front of the Brentwood dugout. He put his arm around me and he smelled like fresh spring. I wanted to stuff my head in his armpit, live there for years, and breathe in his scent, his manliness, and his talent.
Guy crush? Possibly, and I’m not even sorry about it. It’s Cory Fucking Potter. The dude just sticks his bat out over the plate and hits a home run.
“Get whatever you want, it’s on me,” Cory announces, as Sean and Rian both start surveying the pitchers of beers.
“Oh honey, you don’t have to buy,” Mrs. Potter says, a hand to her son’s forearm. “We can pay.”
“Mom,” Cory says with a get real look. That’s all it takes, because Mrs. Potter backs off. I admire Cory more than before. There’s no doubt he’s very generous with his money. It’s the same way I want to be when I make it to the big leagues. I used to say if, but I know I’ll get there. I’ve worked too damn hard not to make it, but only time will tell how long it will take me.
With Milly by my side though, I know I can make my dreams come true.
Mr. Potter orders a few pizzas for the table that everyone agrees on. I was asked at least five times if those choices were good. Little do they know if they cut up their shoes for pizza toppings, I would still eat it. Sean orders a few local brews and fills up a glass for all of us. I’ve never drank with adults before, so it feels a little weird. Dad doesn’t drink, says it’s a waste of money. The man is incredibly frugal.
Cory pins me with a stare and says, “So when did you first fall for my sister?”
“Cory,” Milly says, almost groaning out his name.
Sean and Rian both move closer and say, “We’d like to hear that answer too.”
“Yes, please.” Mrs. Potter claps her hands and then says, “Can I just say, you two would make the cutest babies.”
I hold back my snort while the rest of the table groans.
“What?” Mrs. Potter looks around, as if she doesn’t understand what she said. “They would.”
“Please, Mother. Don’t scare him away.”
“Nah.” Cory shakes his head, looking me dead in the eyes. “This guy isn’t going anywhere, I can tell.”
He’s damn right about that. I know our life moving forward is going to be hard, but I’m bound and determined to make it work, even if it means having a long-distance relationship, something we have yet to talk about, but something I feel confident Milly will work hard for, just like me.
Under the table, I squeeze Milly’s hand and say, “Well, the first time I ran into her was in the dining hall and that wasn’t a pleasant interaction on both accounts. But the first time I was introduced to her was in the weight room, and I was a bit of a douche to her. I was in a shitty mood and brushed off her help.”
“Is that right?” Cory asks, bringing his pint glass to his lips. I’ve seen this man play so many damn games of baseball, I’ve seen his lighthearted attitude, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the seriousness that passes over his face when I talk about his sister. Something tells me if I fuck this up, he’ll have my balls ripped from my body and shelved in a glass case with the rest of his monumental memorabilia.