Page 99 of Catching the Coach
She shrugs her shoulders. “You’ll never have to find out.”
I wrap an arm around her and give her a side hug. “Thank Jesus for that,” I say grinning at her.
“You ready for this?” she asks, returning the squeeze.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say. I pat my back pocket, checking it for the millionth time.
Kara turns and gives me a quick full body hug. “I’m so happy for you,” she whispers.
I return the hug and clear my throat. “Ok ok, enough of this.” I blink my eyes multiple times to keep myself from crying. “I can’t redo my makeup again. Kessler will be out any minute.”
As if saying his name summons him. I see Kessler appear out of the dugout and jog over to the plate. I shiver as he gives me a wink and places his mask over his face. Charlie is directing Hudson over to his place and the team cheers from behind him. He looks over his shoulder and meets my eye. I give him a thumbs up and cheer with the rest of the team. The announcer introduces Hudson and the team and we all give the stadium a wave.
The announcer gives Hudson the go-ahead and he throws the pitch at Kessler easily sending it over the plate and into Kessler’s glove. Kessler jogs over to Hudson and gives him a fist bump before walking the rest of the way to the team for a picture.
Kessler gives me one of his panty melting smiles, making my stomach flip like always, and I wonder if he’ll always make me feel that way.
“Coach,” he says, finally reaching me.
“Davis,” I respond back, my grin growing bigger.
“Ok, everyone get in for a picture quickly so we can get the game started,” Charlie yells over all the noise. Kessler takes his place beside me and puts his hand on my lower back sending a new round of goosebumps through my body.
“Cold?” he whispers into my ear, humor in his voice.
“I’m good,” I say back, looking over my shoulder and giving him a smirk. A sense of déjà vu sweeps over me as I think back to our first meeting.
“Ok, everyone look forward. 1-2-3,” Charlie counts and the photographer takes pictures.
Charlie gives a thumbs up and I take that as we’re done. I look at Hudson who’s grinning up at me, but not unbuttoning his jersey like we planned. I’m about to remind him when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and Kessler is smiling down at me. The team has moved away from the mound but is still on the field. I look over at Kara who’s holding her phone up and swiping at her face. I try to turn back to Hudson but Kessler grabs my hand stopping me.
“Lucy,” he says looking into my eyes. He moves his hand from mine and brings it to my face, cupping my cheek. I see his Adam’s apple bob a few times before continuing.
“You and Hudson have been unexpected lights in my life, when I needed them the most.” He pauses and takes his hand from my face.
I stare up at him. My brain frozen.What is going on? He has a game to win.
Kessler takes a step back and reaches into his pocket pulling out a mini baseball.
I let out a gasp and my hand flies to my mouth.No. He's not. He's going to…Then my mind goes blank as he gets down on one knee.
The full stadium collectively gasps and I look up to see us on the Jumbotron.
“Lucy,” he starts grinning up at me. “Coach, I don’t want to spend another day without knowing you are mine, forever.” He looks to my left, making me turn my head. Hudson has come to stand besides me and is grinning up at me. “You and Hudson. You guys complete what has been missing in my life.”
I can feel the tears streaming down my face now and I don’t even try to hold them back.
“Lucy,” Kessler says again, grabbing my left hand and placing a kiss on the knuckles. “Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Wordsmy brain says,use words.
I can’t seem to make my mouth work so I just nodyesvigorously. Hudson whoops beside me and Kessler launches from the ground and picks me up, spinning me around.
The crowd erupts and cheers sound from all over.
I place both my hands on his face and he leans forward and gives me a kiss once we’ve stopped spinning. He puts me down and opens the box. A beautiful ring shines back at me. I let out a gasp. “Kessler, it’s beautiful,” I whisper as he takes the ring out of the box and slips it into my finger.
“Just like you,” he says, stealing another kiss.
