“I haven’t been able to make it to one of his games all season, so I’m playing hooky for a few days to make this happen.”
“Nothing wrong with a few mental health days now that the season is over.” She winks.
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Peyton, we’re going to grab a drink. Would you like anything?” Anna asks.
“A bottle of water, please,” I reach into my purse for money, and Gary waves me off.
“Your money is no good here.” He laughs, taking his wife by the hand and leading her down the steps.
“Hanging out with the parents, I see.”
This woman knows way more than I would expect her to know. “Yep.”
“He looks good out there. Almost pitched a no-hitter.”
“I know. But let’s not talk about it. We have two more innings, and I don’t want to jinx him.”
“Got it. Look over to your right. There are two men in Ohio gear. They’re from the majors. Rumor has it they’re here to watch Griffin.”
“Wow. Are you serious?” I casually look over and scan the crowd until I see the men she’s referring to.
“Griffin has incredible talent on the field, and he’s getting a lot of attention.”
My heart swells. “I’m so excited for him.”
“Are you?” she asks.
“Yes. Of course, I am. He’s worked his ass off to be where he is. He gives everything to this sport he loves.”
“He’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.” I turn my attention back to the game. One more inning, and he’s done it. Pitched a no-hitter.
“He’s on fire tonight,” Gary says, handing me a bottle of water.
“Thank you. He really is.”
“He’s showing off for you,” Anna jokes.
“Nah, he’s always this good.”
“True,” Gary agrees. “However, I do think that you give him some extra motivation.” I can feel the flush of my cheeks as I imagine the extra motivation we’ve been giving each other.“I’m just here to support him.”
“And he knows that. He knows you’re here for him. Not what he can do on that field. That’s pretty damn good motivation if you ask me,” Gary states.
I smile at him and turn my attention back to the field. My leg bounces as I peel the label from my bottle of water. Two outs and another batter strolls up to the plate. I hold my breath as Griffin winds up the pitch and lets it fly. I watch as the ball reaches the plate and the batter swings.
“Strike!” the umpire calls out.
I stand, as do his parents, and even Coach Stone climbs to her feet. The anticipation of what’s about to happen propels her to do so. Griffin winds up his second pitch, and I hold my breath until I hear, “Strike two!”
“Come on, baby,” I say under my breath. I know he can’t hear me, but maybe he will telepathically get the message that I’m standing here cheering him on.
Griffin glances into the stands, and I swear he’s looking right at me. I mouth, “I love you,” even though I know he can’t see me, and hold my breath as he winds up the pitch and lets the ball fly.
“Sttrriiikkee three! You’re out!” the umpire calls.
I jump up and down and hug his parents and even Coach Stone. “He did it. He did it.” I clap and scream and cheer for my man, who has pitched his first no-hitter of his college career. The crowd roars around me, most of them chanting Griffin’s name and calling out for him. I hear my name being called, but I don’t know where it’s from. I look all around, and it’s Gary who points it out. Sam, Daniel, and Oliver are all in the dugout calling out to me. Once they see that they have my attention, they wave for me to come closer. I’m not sure why, but I do it anyway, taking the steps slowly until I reach them. “Hey, guys. Great game.”
“Get over here,” Sam says. Before I know what’s happening, he has his hands on my waist, and he’s lifting me over the wall.
“What are you doing?” I laugh.
“Go greet your man. You’re his good luck charm.”
“No. This is all Griffin. And I can’t go out there. It’s a mob.”
“Fine.” Daniel rolls his eyes. “The things we do for love.” The next thing I know, he’s nodding at Sam, and they’re hoisting me onto their shoulders. Oliver laughs as he walks in front of them, clearing the path.
“This is crazy,” I call out to them, but they don’t seem to care that I’m even talking. Instead, they carry me effortlessly through the crowd, following Oliver and only stopping once they reach Griffin.
“Hey, Griff, we brought you something,” Sam calls out to him.
“Or someone,” Daniel corrects him.
Griffin’s smile lights up his entire face as the guys lower me to the ground. Only to be picked up by Griffin as he spins me around. When he stops spinning us, I wrap my legs around his waist and kiss him soundly. “I’m so proud of you.”
“You have to come to all of my games from now on.” He laughs. “You’re good luck.”
“You don’t need luck, Griffin. It’s all you and your talent. Babe! You just pitched a no-hitter.”
“And you were here to see it,” he says, burying his face in my neck.
“Griffin, great game,” a guy with a polo shirt representing one of the major sports networks tells him. He holds a microphone to his mouth and nods to the camera guy behind him. “Great game. How does it feel to pitch your first college no-hitter as a freshman?”
“It feels great.” Griffin smiles.
I tap his shoulder, telling him silently to let me down, and he does. His eyes find mine as he slowly helps me slide down his body.
“Who’s this?”
“This is my girlfriend. This is the first game she’s been able to make this season because of her own softball schedule,” he tells them.
“Sounds like she’s your good luck charm.” The reporter laughs.
Griffin leans down and kisses my forehead before turning back to the reporter. He adjusts his gaze to look at the camera. “She’s my everything.”
Several things happen at once. First, heat rushes to my core. Second, my heart trips over in my chest and expands with love for him. Third, the butterflies swarm, causing my belly to flutter, and fourth, he slides his hand behind my neck and kisses me.
On. National. Television.
I can only hope they edit this out. I can imagine what my dad is thinking right now if he’s watching, and I’m certain he’s watching. He knows I’m here, and Mom told me he’s been recording all of Griffin’s televised games so he can watch them. I know this isn’t what he would be expecting to see on his TV screen.
His teammates descend on us, and the reporter gets pushed back from the chaos. Griffin ends the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. We’re standing in the middle of the baseball field surrounded by his teammates, reporters, coaching staff, fans, fellow students, and I don’t see or hear any of them. All I see is the man holding me as if I’m the most precious thing in his world.
“I love you.” He smiles.
“I love you too.”