Page 74 of Switch Hitter

Emiliano

We are serious.

Sean

Like… serious serious.

Emiliano

Sí, bebé. Serious serious.

Sean

Don’t call me bebé. I’m not a baby.

Emiliano

You’re my baby.

Sean

Emiliano.

I grin every time because I can practically hear the blush bloom across his face. Then he sends something on Thursday that makes my chest go tight.

Sean

I keep thinking about saying it out loud again.

Sean

“This is my boyfriend.”

Sean

I’m scared my voice is going to shake.

I stare at that message for a long minute before I answer. Because I wanted to tell him the truth. That even if his voice shakes, I’ll still be proud. That courage doesn’t mean steady hands. It means moving anyway.

Emiliano

Let it shake.

I’ll be right there.

And if you freeze, I’ll squeeze your hand once. You’ll know I’m with you.

He takes a minute to respond.

Sean

Okay.

As long as you’re with me.

Don’t let go of my hand.

Sean