Before I know it, the ceremony is starting, and I’m waiting behind the scenes with the plaque in hand and nervousness in my veins. I’ve never been in front of such a big crowd before, and I’m pretty sure this is the first time we’re making a statement about our relationship. Locker room chasers are going to hate my guts after this.
Oh well . . . sorry, not sorry, ladies. He’s mine.
I tune into David’s voice as he speaks about Carson’s many accomplishments since he’s been at Brentwood, his dedication to the team, the game, his injury, and his comeback. David also talks about the teams interested in him with the upcoming draft and his potential for being picked early. The crowd cheers boisterously when they announce the Bobbies interest, which if it comes to pass, would be amazing because Carson could reunite the bromance with Knox Gentry, his best friend. The Storm, Cory’s team, also announced their interest. That’s something I could be happy with as well, my brother and boyfriend playing on the same team. I could be really, really happy with that.
“To honor Carson’s time at Brentwood, we have a few gifts to present. Carson, please stand at the pitcher’s mound.” The guys push him out on the field and the crowd roars, the sound deafening. Fans chant his name and his teammates join in. Shyly, Carson’s lifts his cap to the crowd and immediately my eyes start to well with tears. This will be one of the best moments of my life, watching Carson play his final game at Brentwood. It’s coming to an end. After this, the team takes off to regionals, he’s drafted, and then goes straight to his new team, wherever that will be. In my head, I’ve understood this. But my heart’s breaking a little. I know there’s life post college, yet a part of me wants to press pause. I’m not ready for things to change, even though I know it’s part of life. This hurts.
Maria nudges my shoulder. “You’re up, sweetie.”
“Oh, sorry.”
David calls over the PA system, “Presenting Carson with a plaque with his impressive records listed and engraved is his girlfriend, Milly Potter.”
Coupled with the video, I’m pretty sure people will know exactly who I am after the announcer just said my last name, but at this point, I don’t really care. All I care about is seeing that giant smile on Carson’s face as I approach him.
I hand him the plaque that he takes in one hand and then with the other, he cups my cheek and presses a long, almost risqué kiss against my lips. The team erupts in cheers, and I’m positive I heard Shane and Jerry screaming their heads off in the distance.
When Carson releases me, he says, “Thank you, Coach.”
I smile up at him and drag my thumb over his lip. “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
At that moment, the jumbotron comes on and my brother’s voice fills the stadium. You can barely hear him at first through the cheering of the fans, but once it dies down, it’s all that’s heard. “Sorry I couldn’t be there to support you, bro, but I’m really proud of you and all you’ve accomplished. You have a bright future ahead of you, and I can’t wait to see where your baseball journey takes you.”
Carson stands stunned next to me, his arm wrapped around my shoulder, his mouth hanging partially open.
“Wow, wasn’t that great, everyone?” David asks as Carson looks down at me.
“That was unreal. Did your brother really do that for me?”
“He did and honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything less from him.”
“Ditto.” He leans down and presses another kiss to my cheek. “Thank you, Milly . . . for everything.”
Chapter Fifty-Nine
CARSON
“Get your ass down here,” I say to Milly, who’s still standing behind the fence.
She glances around nervously. “Am I allowed on the field?”
“You were just on the field before the game.”
“I know, but that was different.”
“Milly,” I say sternly. The entire stadium has cleared, and Disik gave me permission to soak up the last moments on the field. There’s only one person I want to do it with. “I got the go-ahead from Disik, so stop stalling and get down here.”
Hands still wringing together—my little rule follower—she makes her way to the door that connects to the dugout and I let her in. Taking her hand in mine, we walk up the steps to the field and I take her to my spot between first and second base. From my pocket, I take out my phone and a small Ziploc bag before sitting, pulling her down on my lap.
“What’s with the bag?”
“I have to collect some dirt. I collect dirt from every field I’ve played on that’s had an impact on me.”
“That’s really cute. How many bags do you have?”
“I keep the dirt in vials actually. The bag is just for transportation purposes, but I’ve collected a few. One from the field I made my first home run, my high school field obviously. The field I won the little league world series on, another where I had my first cycle, and then of course, field six.”
Her eyes widen, a soft expression following. “As in our field six?”
“Yeah, because that’s where I realized you were the girl I wanted by my side at all times.”
“That’s really sweet, Carson.” She cups my cheek and presses a kiss to my lips, her tongue peeking out and her mouth lingering for a second longer than anticipated, exciting me. I have plans for tonight, just her and me, but first, I want to hang with my girl here.
“It’s true,” I answer before giving her the bag. “Hold this open for me?”
She takes it and I scoop some dirt up from the field, placing it in the bag marked Brentwood Baseball, and then I zip it back up and stick it in my pocket.
I wrap my arms around her waist and squeeze her tightly, soaking in her scent, her presence. These last few moments I have with her before the next chapter in my life starts are incredibly important to me. I want her to remember that it’s me and her in this journey, that we’re going the distance.
“Thank you for being here today, it meant a lot to me.” I kiss the side of her head. “I haven’t really had anyone cheering for me personally in the stands in a really long time. Honestly, I think it dates back to little league when my dad didn’t work as much. It was phenomenal knowing you were there for me.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” she says, playing with the brim of my hat that is now backward. “I love watching you play. It’s like poetry on the field. You’re so smooth and accurate with everything you do, one of the best second basemen I’ve ever seen.”
“Ah, you’re just saying that.”
She cups my cheek and shakes her head. “I’m really not. I’ve seen a lot of baseball games and you have what it takes to go all the way, to make an impact on the sport. I’m really excited for the next chapter in your life.”
“Me too.” I kiss the tip of her nose and then hug her, resting my chin on her shoulder. “It’s so unreal that it’s all over, that I won’t play another game here. It might sound lame, but this is where I grew into a man. I came to Brentwood as a boy with big dreams. Coach Disik put us through hell, challenged us mentally, physically, took everything we had to give, and prepared us for the big leagues, but with the knowledge that it’s up to us if we succeed or not.”