Page 98 of The Curveball
“You’re talking like we’re a forever kind of thing.”
“Well, aren’t we? Pretty sure this one means we’re stuck with each other,” she says, smiling and nudging Ivy’s bouncer with her toe.
I surge forward, pressing Sage back against the couch as she shrieks and giggles. My lips find hers, and I kiss her with all the pent-up emotions from the last couple of hours.
“I fucking love you, Sage McCallister. Yes, this is a forever kind of thing. Yes, I want you and Ivy to move with me. Yes, we’re stuck with each other, and I for one, couldn’t be happier.”
“So, you’re going to take the offer? Say goodbye to the Thunder and hello to the Tridents?”
I think about it for a second before answering. As much as I hate the idea of saying goodbye to the life we’ve built here and the friendships we’ve made, it’s a given I’ll say yes to the Tridents. For a guy who, a short while ago, had basically given up on ever playing baseball outside of a rec league, this is a dream come true.
Having it with Sage and Ivy by my side?
Even better.
40
BRADY
“Areyou sure today is the right time to tell them? I don’t want to make it all about me.” I’m white knuckling the handle of Ivy’s car seat as we walk slowly up the path to Cal’s house.
He invited a bunch of guys from the team over for a Friendsgiving dinner tonight, in advance of actual Thanksgiving this weekend. Sage is trying to convince me to tell them about the offer from the Tridents.
“You can’t keep this a secret any longer. You know Dom wants to send out the announcement, he’s just waiting for you to give him the go-ahead. Besides, if we wait much longer, it’ll be Christmas, and then we’re moving to the mainland.”
I blow out a breath. “I know.”
Sage tugs on my arm, bringing me to a stop. “What’s holding you back? Are you second-guessing the move?”
The way she asks, gently and without judgment, makes me incredibly grateful. Throughout the past week, we’ve had a lot of conversations about what life wouldbe like if I said yes, and if I said no. It would be a lot easier to just take the offer and celebrate, and not give any thought to the future, but I can’t be that guy. And to my surprise, Sage has wanted to discuss the pros and cons and make plans just as much as I have.
That alone is proof—not that I needed any—that she’s in this for the long haul. That we truly do have forever ahead of us.
“I’m not second-guessing the move. You and Ivy are the only things that would make me hesitate, so if you’re still on board with moving, then there’s no reason to turn down the offer. It’s everything I used to dream about.”
Sage wraps her arm around my waist, giving me a sideways squeeze. She tips her chin up, and I kiss her lightly.
“I guess there’s a part of me that wonders if I really deserve all of this.”
“I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.”
The front door opens, and warm light spills out into the damp, dark evening. “It’s fucking cold out here! Are you three just gonna stand there, or are you gonna come inside?” Cal calls out. From behind him, I can hear the sound of voices and laughter from our friends.
“I’ll miss these guys,” I say quietly to Sage as we head up the path.
She silently gives me another squeeze in response.
The second we step inside, Isla comes hurrying over. “Give me that delicious baby. Sage, wine’s in the kitchen.”
“Perfect.” Sage gives me a smile before carrying thetray of appetizers she made this afternoon into the kitchen, following Isla, who stole my daughter from me, car seat and all.
“How’s it going?” Cal asks as I hang up our coats and trail after him to the living room.
“Good. Great.” I take a seat next to Griff on the couch. I lift my voice to cut through the conversations happening among my other teammates “Actually, I’ve got some news.”
Griff’s eyebrows lift. “Yeah?”
I nod.
