The Dugout(76)

I glance down at my worn-out dress shoes and feel embarrassed immediately. Shit, I should have bought something nice to wear.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Milly says when she releases herself from her brother. “I thought you have a game tonight.”

“Coach gave me the night off. I just have to be back in time for the first pitch,” his deep, refined voice says.

“This is the best surprise ever.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen Milly this excited. She really does have a special connection with Cory.

“What are we, chopped liver?” one of her other brothers says before pulling her in for a hug.

From a distance, like the outsider I am, I watch Milly receive love and praise from her family including her mom and dad, who are probably overjoyed to have their last child out of college and gearing up for the real world.

And even though I know my circumstances are different, I can’t help but feel a little pang of hurt from not having the same with my family. It’s just my dad and me, and even though I know he loves me unconditionally, I don’t think he’s ever hugged me like Mr. and Mrs. Potter hug Milly, nor have I ever seen him smile as wide like when her parents saw her approach.

The day my mom passed away, a piece of my dad died too; he’s never been the same. He’s stayed strong-willed and hard-working, but affection disappeared. The occasional handshake and pat on the back has been my greeting when I’ve returned home, but nothing like the affection in Milly’s family. No wonder she’s as warm and incredible as she is. How could she not be?

But my dad has shown his love differently. He saw my passion and helped me in every way he could to make my passion a reality. He sacrificed, he put his actual blood and sweat into his jobs so I could be where I am today. His love is different, but it’s still love.

“Carson,” Milly calls out. I lift my gaze and see her calling me over. Throat tight, I try to relax and not let my emotions about missing my dad get the best of me. “Come here.”

I plaster a smile on my face and when I reach Milly, I take her hand in mine and let her give introductions.

“Everyone, this is Carson Stone. Carson, this is Cory, my dad, my mom, Sean, and Rian.” I reach out and go to give them a handshake, but Cory is the first to scoop me up into a hug, sending my mind into a tailspin.

Fucking Cory Potter is hugging me, straight-up . . . hugging me.

“Congratulations on graduation and the amazing season.” He pats my chest when he releases me.

“Uh, thank you,” I say right before I go down the line of family members, getting a hug from each of them and unexpected words of encouragement. By the time I’m released from Rian, I’m an emotional wreck about ready to tip over the edge into boo-hooing my way through the night.

Jesus. Get it together, man.

Milly must see the emotion clouding my eyes because she quickly snags me around the waist and says, “Shall we go get pizza?”

“Lead the way,” her dad says, motioning with his hand.

“Wait,” her mom calls out. “Pictures first, then food.”

Classic mom . . . from the brief interaction we’ve shared, my mom would have liked Mrs. Potter.





“Milly, what the fuck?”

“What?” she asks, whispering back.

“What the hell are you wearing?”

We’re sitting at the table, as her family’s still parking their car, and Milly is sitting next to me looking fine as fuck in a yellow sundress I’ve never seen before. The sleeves are capped, showing off her toned arms, and the neckline scoops just low enough for me to catch some cleavage. And did I mention the dress is hugging every last inch of her body?

She takes in her outfit and says, “It’s a dress.”

“I’m aware, but why are you wearing it?”

“Jerry helped me pick it out. You should have seen him at the department store. Kept telling everyone he was my Jerry godmother, getting me ready for my debut—I think that’s how he put it.”

“Jerry,” I mutter. “Is he trying to embarrass me in front of your family?”

Her eyes widen and she leans in even closer, her hand on my thigh. That’s not helping. “Oh my God, are you getting turned on?”

“Uh . . . yeah. My girlfriend, who I’m crazy about, showed up for graduation in a dress that’s barely containing her perfect body and decided to reveal it right before we have to eat a meal with her family.”

“Ah, you’ll survive.” She pats my cheek, her compassion at about a level two—not really giving a fuck whatsoever.

“You’re a temptress, you hear me? An evil fucking temptress.”

“Oh, is that how you really feel about me? Does that mean I’m going back to my dorm alone tonight? Such a shame, I had a new bra I wanted to show you.” She winks and then casually takes a sip of her water.

I lean over and whisper harshly into her ear, “I don’t know what you’ve done with my shy and blushing girlfriend, but if you can return her, that would be great.” And I sure as hell hope Jerry didn’t help her pick out her new underwear.

She laughs and doesn’t show one ounce of care for how incredibly turned on I am simply from the sight of her. I’m about to reprimand her again, let her know how difficult she’s making things for me, when her family walks up to the table and takes a seat. Sean and Rian sit at the end, her parents sit on the corner, and Cory sits directly in front of us.