Page 96 of Rain Delay

She pulled back, her hands sliding up to hold my forearms. “I’m so proud of you, Wyatt. Look at this. Look what you’ve done to get to this point.”

“I definitely didn’t do it alone,” I said, my voice dropping low. I took her hand, pressing a hard, lingering kiss into her palm before folding her fingers over it. “Win or lose, I always get to come home to a personal win in you, babe.”

Her eyes blinked back tears, but she composed herself, giving me a reassuring smile. “Go get ‘em, Mitchell,” she whispered.

She kissed my cheek before stepping back and disappearing into the camera well where she would call home for the night.

It was time. The announcer’s voice was booming over the speakers, announcing all of us, and forty thousand people went absolutely feral.

I have to give it to the production crew, though. The way they set up the stadium for an electric night was amazing. Every effect, pyro trick was perfect.

I grabbed my glove, taking a deep breath of the Milwaukee air and stepped over the baseline. My cleats hit the dirt and I jogged over to assume my position at shortstop.

I looked over at the stands, seeing my mom, dad, younger brother, and Willa all standing together. It got me a little choked up, not going to lie. Seeing my family here, supporting me, cheering me on in the biggest moments of my life.

At the end of the day, it wasn’t the rings or wins I accumulated over the years, it was about the end result and all that mattered was the trophy I had already won and got to cherish every single night when I got home and she’s waiting there for me with open arms.

GAME 1 WAS OURS. I had never seen our offense so alive in nine innings before. Maybe it was the playoffs atmosphere, but whatever it was, I sure hope it stuck around through the remainder of the series.

There was this new-found fire lit under the guys — Some of them playing like I’ve never seen them play. They were hungry, even the rookies; They played with a sense of urgency, alertness, like they finally understood what this meant to the veterans on the team. What it meant to guys like me, who just wanted to bring it home once again.

A couple of the guys were coming over to my place for some food and drinks. I wanted to be at home with my friends and some of my family, celebrating the first of several wins to come. I also had some tricks up my sleeve for a certain someone that she would not see coming from a mile away.

As I walked out of the clubhouse, I looked down both ends of the hall, trying to see if I could find Eliana. When I don’t see her, I assume she’s already gone to the car so I make my way down to the players lot.

“Don’t leave me!” A voice calls out and I stumble forward as Eliana jumps on my back. “You were going to ditch me!”

I looked back at her, getting her off my back to face her. “I thought you were gone, so yes, I left.”

Her lips pout, her bottom lip sticking out. “That’s rude.”

“Either way, you’ve made it to the car, yeah?”

“I guess, but I like walking with you. Especially when I’m walking with a winner,” she nudged me, taking my hand as we walked together to my car. “You did really well tonight. I got some good pictures I’ll have to show you once I edit them.”

When we got back home, I changed out of the clothes I had worn after the game into some comfy sweats and a t-shirt before all the guys came over.

What Eliana didn’t know was this was going to be the most casual marriage proposal in front of our friends and some family members. Lila and Willa were both going to be there too, and she had no idea.

I was hoping I would end the night with two wins.

Chapter 36

Eliana

I HAD NEVER BEEN TO A WORLD SERIES GAME before tonight, and it was probably the most fun I’ve had at a baseball game in a long time.

Watching Wyatt in his element, watching him as he was focused and dialed in on making sure his team got the win was so enchanting to watch. This sense of pride swelled throughout my chest as I watched him, got videos and pictures that would be used later. This is what he always talked about doing – Going to the World Series.

While the team went last season, I wasn’t there to experience that with him. I didn’t get to see all of these monumental events happen in front of my eyes.

Five years ago, I didn’t think this would ever be a reality. I was trying to pick up all these pieces I had lost and tried to put my puzzle of life back together.

Now? I was cheering on the love of my life, the man that’s had my heart since we were twelve years old. Because even when we weren’t together, Wyatt was still the only man I would ever want to give my heart to.

It’s funny how things can end up working in your favor. As much as you tell yourself that you’re wanting to navigate a different direction, ultimately, you’re going to follow your heart. You’re going to follow what you know is the right decision in the end. I think being assigned to work with Wyatt this season was what my heart wanted and needed.

Wyatt and some of the guys stuck around after the game to sign some baseballs and take pictures with fans. Most of them were super excited to see Wyatt and Liam, those were the two stars of Milwaukee. One boy was over the moon when Wyatt gave him his batting gloves.