I’m not ready for things to change, even though I know it’s part of life. This hurts.
Maria nudges my shoulder. “You’re up, sweetie.”
“Oh, sorry.”
David calls over the PA system, “Presenting Carson with a plaque with his impressive records listed and engraved is his girlfriend, Milly Potter.”
Coupled with the video, I’m pretty sure people will know exactly who I am after the announcer just said my last name, but at this point, I don’t really care. All I care about is seeing that giant smile on Carson’s face as I approach him.
I hand him the plaque that he takes in one hand and then with the other, he cups my cheek and presses a long, almost risqué kiss against my lips. The team erupts in cheers, and I’m positive I heard Shane and Jerry screaming their heads off in the distance.
When Carson releases me, he says, “Thank you, Coach.”
I smile up at him and drag my thumb over his lip. “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
At that moment, the jumbotron comes on and my brother’s voice fills the stadium. You can barely hear him at first through the cheering of the fans, but once it dies down, it’s all that’s heard. “Sorry I couldn’t be there to support you, bro, but I’m really proud of you and all you’ve accomplished. You have a bright future ahead of you, and I can’t wait to see where your baseball journey takes you.”
Carson stands stunned next to me, his arm wrapped around my shoulder, his mouth hanging partially open.
“Wow, wasn’t that great, everyone?” David asks as Carson looks down at me.
“That was unreal. Did your brother really do that for me?”
“He did and honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything less from him.”
“Ditto.” He leans down and presses another kiss to my cheek. “Thank you, Milly . . . for everything.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
CARSON
“Get your ass down here,” I say to Milly, who’s still standing behind the fence.
She glances around nervously. “Am I allowed on the field?”
“You were just on the field before the game.”
“I know, but that was different.”
“Milly,” I say sternly. The entire stadium has cleared, and Disik gave me permission to soak up the last moments on the field. There’s only one person I want to do it with. “I got the go-ahead from Disik, so stop stalling and get down here.”
Hands still wringing together—my little rule follower—she makes her way to the door that connects to the dugout and I let her in. Taking her hand in mine, we walk up the steps to the field and I take her to my spot between first and second base. From my pocket, I take out my phone and a small Ziploc bag before sitting, pulling her down on my lap.
“What’s with the bag?”
“I have to collect some dirt. I collect dirt from every field I’ve played on that’s had an impact on me.”
“That’s really cute. How many bags do you have?”
“I keep the dirt in vials actually. The bag is just for transportation purposes, but I’ve collected a few. One from the field I made my first home run, my high school field obviously. The field I won the little league world series on, another where I had my first cycle, and then of course, field six.”
Her eyes widen, a soft expression following. “As in our field six?”
“Yeah, because that’s where I realized you were the girl I wanted by my side at all times.”
“That’s really sweet, Carson.” She cups my cheek and presses a kiss to my lips, her tongue peeking out and her mouth lingering for a second longer than anticipated, exciting me. I have plans for tonight, just her and me, but first, I want to hang with my girl here.
“It’s true,” I answer before giving her the bag. “Hold this open for me?”
She takes it and I scoop some dirt up from the field, placing it in the bag marked Brentwood Baseball, and then I zip it back up and stick it in my pocket.
I wrap my arms around her waist and squeeze her tightly, soaking in her scent, her presence. These last few moments I have with her before the next chapter in my life starts are incredibly important to me. I want her to remember that it’s me and her in this journey, that we’re going the distance.
“Thank you for being here today, it meant a lot to me.” I kiss the side of her head. “I haven’t really had anyone cheering for me personally in the stands in