Anything but Minor - Kate Stewart Page 0,81

her second home, and I turned to Andy and collapsed into his hug.

“God, I love him,” I whispered as the crowd again made their way out of the stands and the stadium lit up, illuminating the clouds of dissipating smoke.

“I believe the feeling is mutual, doll,” he whispered back. I pulled away with a smile.

“Good game, Andy,” I said with admiration as I looked up to him. “Are you okay?”

“Let’s go nurse our broken hearts,” he said with a quiver in his voice. I looked over at him as he shook his head in confirmation that Kristina left. I swallowed the slight agitation of her sudden departure without notice and decided it was for the best. We all needed time.

“Fuckin’ A,” I said with a nod as I followed him up the aisle.

“Hembrey, let’s go,” I heard my pitching coach call from just outside the bathroom door.

“I’m coming,” I said as I finished the video of Alice. I saw it all. The minute she realized what was going on. My eyes stayed glued to Andy’s cell video as her beautiful features contorted in shock and then the tears that followed. She’d never looked more beautiful as she smiled with her face lit up with firelight. I coughed at the pain that seared through me and the pang of jealousy of those around her.

When I’d left her at the airport, I had to push past every fucking emotion in my chest to leave her there. I didn’t want to rush what had always come natural between us. I’d declared my love, I told her I wasn’t leaving her, and she would never be alone, and I’d meant it. I would keep my promise but wouldn’t ask for her future until I was sure it was exactly what she wanted. Though she remained steadfast and strong as I kissed her with everything I had, I felt myself break apart as I reluctantly let her go and made my way into the airport without a look back. I fucking lost it shortly after and damned near made a fool of myself as I tried to catch her car as she drove away. I threw my glove at her Prius and just missed her by a foot when she pulled away. I had no idea what I would say, but as I watched her car pull away, I felt like it was pulling my whole goddamned chest with it, with her. I loved her completely, and the only way I could prove it and keep my word to her was over time and with dedication. I was completely torn apart, half of me intent on seeing my dream through, half of me hating the fucking fate that had me in knots, and in fear of losing the best thing in my life.

She’d given me everything when she’d decided to love me, and I would give her everything I could in this life. I had no idea how we were going to make it work, but I knew I wouldn’t, for any reason, let her go. My phone buzzed right before I was about to throw it in my locker.

Alice: You gave me my movie moment. I love you. I’ll never stop loving you.

Rafe: Sorry I wasn’t there, baby.

Alice: You were. You totally were. I felt you everywhere.

Rafe: You can’t talk like that right now. I’m about to warm up.

Alice: Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.

Rafe: Seriously?

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay, Ms. Boyd?”

“I am,” I answered with certainty.

“What will you do?”

“I’m hoping for anything private or commercial. I want to get back in the air,” I said as I gathered my purse and shook the hand of Garret, my supervisor. I’d managed to escape the rest of my contract, and they’d found a replacement without holding it against me. It was a small miracle, but one that left me just as unsure as I had been in the past month.

“You will be missed,” he assured as he guided me out of his office. “The door is always open here.”

“Thank you.”

I packed up my Prius with a small box of crap I was sure I would throw away when I got home. I had a small amount of savings and wasn’t sure what my next move was. I hadn’t lied when I told Garret that I wanted to be in the air again, but had no idea what was in store.

I thought of Rafe and sighed. He’d left Charleston only two months ago, and