Page 57 of Run Home

I also needed her voice of reason to slow me down a little.

Which is why I did not go to the store this morning to buy an Ortiz jersey to wear to the game today. I’m sporting one of my favorite Crowns T-shirts from three years ago rather than wearing Adrian’s name across my back two weeks after we started dating.

It’s also why I called Marcia and arranged to go to her house Friday morning even though Adrian would likely be available then since they have a night game. I’ll attend the game with Griff and Jason, then I’ll work my first day at the salon on Saturday. Danae and I are spending all of Sunday working together on wedding plans. I’m trying to keep my responsibilities and relationships in balance instead of dropping everything to mold my life around Adrian’s schedule.

Because the voices of reason are pulling the reins on my heart that wants to run wild into everything with Adrian.

After swinging at a curveball that was clearly a ball, Carlos steps out of the batter’s box and taps the bat against his cleats. He takes a couple of practice swings before stepping back up to the plate. This time, the pitcher throws a fastball right down the middle, and it cracks hard against Carlos’ bat, pinging through the hole between the first and second basemen.

Adrian takes off in a sprint, and the entire crowd screams, willing him to make it home. The third base coach signals him forward, and he crosses home plate a split second before the ball reaches the catcher. He pumps a fist in the air and turns to egg on the cheering fans. Our seats behind home plate are close enough that I see the sparkle in his eyes when he looks our way.

He doesn’t blow a kiss or point in our direction—nothing that would obviously send attention my way. He just pats a hand over his heart before he jogs to the dugout and celebrates with all the teammates waiting for him.

“See, now, you wouldn’t be able to make googly eyes at Adrian from the suite,” Griffin murmurs, and I elbow him hard. He grunts but laughs.

“You’re one to talk,” I chide. “Your eyes haven’t had any setting other than googly ever since you met Danae.”

“That’s true,” he says before leaning over to kiss Danae’s cheek.

“Are you even paying attention?” Jason yells at Griffin. “We need to talk about the big plays on the podcast. Get your head in the game, Griffin.”

Danae, Griffin, and I all burst out laughing.

Griffin does lock in, which is a good thing since there are a lot of big plays to pay attention to. Several involving Adrian. Jason records them all in his miniature notebook.

After his fourth hit of the game, Danae leans forward to smile at me around Griffin. “It’s almost like Adrian has someone to show off for today.”

“It’s because I demolished him at mini golf yesterday. He’s trying to prove he has skills,” I joke.

“No, I think it’s because he likes you, and you’re here watching,” Jason says confidently.

The three of us burst out laughing for a second time.

Adrian definitely proves his skills by the end of their decisive 7–2 victory. His postgame interview is being streamed on the jumbotron as the reporter congratulates him on the four-hit game. They’re interrupted by Drew and Carlos dousing Adrian with water bottles—not sure where the typical cooler of Gatorade went—before the reporter asks an obviously leading question.

“Is there anyone in particular you’re dedicating this win to today?”

Adrian grins and wipes his hand through his hair, shaking the water off onto the ground. “Every win is for every Crowns fan. Every person who shows up to cheer for us, every person watching at home or secretly listening at work. All of you believing in us—everything we do out here on the field is for you.”

Although it wasn’t the answer the reporter was fishing for, she pivots and reiterates the loyalty of the Crowns fan base. As she turns her attention away from Adrian for her sign-off, I catch Adrian’s sly wink into the camera.

My heart cartwheels.

Adrian gives high fives to kids leaning over the stands and pauses to sign a few autographs, but he’s quicker to head inside to the locker room than usual. The four of us step into the stream of people leaving the stadium. Griffin gets stopped to take some photos, but I continue with Danae and Jason on the stairs. Once he rejoins us, we take the back channels we’re all so familiar with to wait in the family area outside the locker rooms.

As players begin to trickle out, Griffin receives several back-slapping man hugs. A few of the guys stand around catching up with him, and Adrian comes out the door. Griffin continues talking to Luke, but I notice his eyes are on me as Adrian strides over.

Adrian wraps his arms around my waist and lifts my feet off the ground in a hug. He’s quick to return my toes to earth and releases me, although he keeps one hand on the small of my back.

“I’d tell you ‘good game,’ but you already know that. And we’re still working on keeping that ego in check,” I tease, and he grins down at me.

“I’ll say ‘good game!’” Jason exclaims. “Great game, Ortiz! You gave us a lot to talk about on the podcast, bro.”

I manage to catch my laugh before it escapes, and Adrian just smiles at Jason testing out the “bro” waters. “Thanks, Fireball. I always get jealous when other teams take up more of your airtime on the podcast. We had to make sure the Crowns dominate the conversation this week.”

Griffin joins our circle, and a wordless look passes between him and Adrian.

Adrian continues talking to Jason, but his hand tugs me closer to his side.