Page 78 of Switch Hitter

Sean swallows hard, shoulders tight, and gives me a look that says, “Welcome to the chaos.”

His mom’s gaze softens. “Everyone… just give them a second.”

David immediately ignores her. “Hey, aren’t you the Mets ace?”

Sean groans. “David… please… I’m begging you.”

“What? I’m just curious.” David lifts his hands, then looks back at me. “So very curious why my brother's rival is in our house for the holiday.”

Sam mutters under his breath, “You’re insufferable.”

Kieran’s eyes stay on Sean. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” Sean nods too fast.

Out of all his siblings, it’s James who steps forward and extends a hand to me. “Thanks for coming. I’m sorry some of us have forgotten our manners. I’m James, the second oldest of the boys. The one with no filter is David.”

I shake it. “Thanks for having me.”

Ciara’s gaze flicks between me and Sean, and then she says, “Oh my gosh… you’re holding his hand.”

Sean chokes. “Ciara.”

“Are you two like…”

I glance at Sean first. When he gives me the smallest nod, I say. “Yes. We are.”

Mrs. O’Malley appears with a tray of snacks, as if food can solve discomfort.

It can.

Sometimes.

“Emiliano, can I get you something to drink?” she asks.

Before I can answer, Sean’s dad clears his throat from the doorway. His voice is calm, but it carries.

“Seán,” he says. “Kitchen. A word.”

The entire room tightens, and his mother’s head snaps toward her husband. “Not tonight,” she says softly, as if she’s giving him a warning.

Mr. O’Malley’s expression doesn’t change. “Tonight.”

Sean’s hand squeezes mine once, automatically, and I know he’s scared. He starts to step forward, like he’s about to go alone, and I catch his hand just before it slips away.

Then I lean close enough to murmur, “I’m gonna be right here.”

His throat works, and he nods once. Then he lets go and walks toward the kitchen like he’s walking toward his own execution.

No… fuck this; if he’s going to get ripped into, I’m going to be there too.

I start to follow, and his father’s gaze pins me in place. “Just Seán.”

My jaw tightens, but I promised I wouldn’t bulldoze his life for him.

So I stay frozen in place, even when every cell inside me wants to be with him. I just angle my body toward that hallway anyway, ready to run in.

Just in case.