Six
I’d never seen Fenway Park like this. Quiet and almost empty. It was late and the air was cold. I waited by the entrance to the clubhouse, right where Adam told me to. Only an hour before, the ballpark was teeming with people, but now, it was like a ghost town. The fans had been ushered out. Security had tried to make me leave too until I showed them the pass Adam had given me and then they left me alone.
The game had been over for a while now and I wondered how much longer I’d have to wait. It was my last night in Boston before I headed back to Silver Falls to prepare for my finals and then graduation. Adam had told me I didn’t need to come to the game. He knew it’d get over late and I had to leave early. He told me I could watch it on TV, but I wanted to be there. Even though he wasn’t pitching, I still wanted to support the team and so I’d sat by myself in the seat by third base he’d managed to get me. Now though, I waited for him.
A few players trickled out, nodding hello to me and then I saw Emmett. He smiled when he saw me.
“Hey, Caroline,” he said, walking over to me.
“Good game tonight,” I told him.
“Thanks,” he said and then seemed to hesitate for a second. “Listen,” he began, “about that night at Adam’s when you were Skyping…I was a jerk. I shouldn’t have said what I did about trying to get Adam to look at other girls. He chewed out my ass once you hung up and even though I was messing around, I realize I was being an ass and I’m sorry.”
I was quiet for a second. I’d known he had been joking that night, but truthfully, it had bothered me and I appreciated his apology.
“It’s okay,” I finally said.
“Really, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to DeLain. It’s not easy being in a relationship with a ball player. We’re gone a lot and it all depends on trust, but I can tell you, you have nothing to worry about.” There was something about his tone that brought me comfort. Emmett had known Adam his entire tenure on the Red Sox. He’d seen Adam during his wild days and he saw Adam now. He would know if I needed to be concerned, but the way his green eyes stared back into mine, I knew I didn’t need to worry about the long road trips ahead.
“Thank you, Emmett,” I said just as I head the door open. We both turned to see Adam walking out. No longer in the uniform I’d seen him wearing in the dugout during the game, but back in his jeans and polo shirt along with the addition of a jacket to keep him warm in the cool spring air. He looked up and smiled when he saw me, quickening his pace, leaning in and greeting me with a kiss when he got to me.
“Is this douchebag bothering you?” Adam asked, smirking over to Emmett.
“Not at all,” I assured him.
“I was just apologizing for the other night and now that that’s done, I’ll leave you two to do whatever it is you do.” He raised his eyebrows up and down a few times in a way that made me laugh and blush at the same time.
“Get the hell outta here,” Adam said, pushing him away, but when I looked at him, there was a smile on his face.
“Catch ya later, Caroline,” Emmett said and then turned and walked away.
“I love that guy, but he’s an idiot sometimes,” Adam said once Emmett was gone and I started to laugh.
“It was a good game tonight,” I said a few seconds later, changing the subject.
“Yeah. Two and O isn’t a bad way to start the season,” he said with a grin before linking our hands together and leading me away from the clubhouse.
I expected to follow him to the player’s entrance, but instead, he took a right up one of the walkways that led to the field. A few seconds later we were in the centerfield bleachers, staring out at the field. The lights were still on as the grounds crew worked. Adam was quiet as we stood there and so I remained quiet as well.
He started walking again and we climbed some steps until he sat down in one of the seats, gesturing that I should do the same in the seat next to him. I did and he took my hand again.
“Sometimes I like to come out here when there’s no one around and just sit,” he began.
“Why?” I asked quietly.
“So I don’t forget how lucky I am,” he said and I turned to see him gazing out onto the field, his eyes seeming to span over every inch of it. “I used to worship this place when I was a kid. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever play here. That I’d ever stand on that mound and hear the fans cheering for me. This was never in the plan for me, but somehow it happened and when it first did, I took it for granted. I let it get to my head. This last year though, not being able to play and realizing what I almost lost, it’s humbled me, Care. I don’t want to ever forget how fortunate I am.”
He turned to look at me, intensity swarming in his eyes. I could see how much he loved the game. During his time in Silver Falls, he’d been trying to figure out if he still did after his injury. The truth was, he’d always loved the game, he just needed to remember why.
“It’s different this time around though,” he continued. “Because you’ve been here. Knowing you’re here changes everything. The whole ballpark might be cheering me on, but all I care about is the fact that you’re cheering me on, and now, because of your job, you’re still going to be here.” He leaned in, kissing me gently and then eased back, running his fingertips lightly over my cheek, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind.
“I’m always going to be here, Adam,” I said softly and he smiled sweetly at me.
“I know,” he said and then paused for a few seconds before continuing. “But, Caroline…I want to know you’re waiting for me when I come home every night. I want your face to be the first thing I see when I wake up.” He paused again and I could sense his anxiety. I could feel mine too. Adam never got nervous, but he was now. “So, I’ve been thinking. After you graduate and you come to Boston to start your job, I want you to move in with me.”
I didn’t know what to say. Erica had jumped all over the idea of Adam and I moving in together if I got the job in Boston. I’d wanted it too, but I didn’t know what Adam would want. He’d mentioned it before. Before it was a real possibility. It was very real now though and he wanted us to live together, to share our life together on a daily basis, in the same home, in the same bed. The thought of it sent all kinds of emotions running through my mind. It was terrifying and exciting all at once, but I wanted it. I knew I did. I just had to be sure it was what he wanted too.
“Are you sure?” I finally asked and he smiled unabashedly.
“Completely.”
“And you don’t think you’ll get sick of me?”
“I could never get sick of you, Caroline.”
“I can be a slob, you know. I hate doing laundry and I don’t always squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom.”
“I can handle that,” he grinned.
“And I don’t always make the bed in the morning.”
“Neither do I.”
“And I love to watch cheesy romance movies on Hallmark more than I should.”
“The cheesier the better, I say.”
“And you’re up for all of that?”
“If it means I come home to you every night, I’m up for anything.”
He took my hand and looked at me hopefully, waiting for my answer. A few quiet seconds passed between us and then, without hesitation, I met his eyes and smiled.
“Okay,” I said and a wide grin spread across his face, hearing the answer that we both knew changed everything.