Real Fake Love (Copper Valley Fireballs #2)(95)

Luca folds me into his arms and buries his face in my neck. It tickles as he laughs. “My life was so boring before I met you.”

“I know. You’re welcome.”

He laughs again, and we spend the rest of the reception cracking up every time we look at each other.

This man.

He gets me. I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life.

He is my heart.

And I’ll never let go.





Bonus Epilogue





Luca Rossi, aka a guy who almost forgot to tell you this part of the story, which happened a few months before Emilio and Marisol’s wedding



Exactly one week after we’re knocked out of the playoffs, six days after I finally found my Henri and convinced her to come home with me forever, we’re all back at Duggan Field.

It’s the day.

The day.

The only day that matters in the rest of this baseball season.

Mascot Day.

My teammates and I are all in uniform, and our families are with us on the field. Considering everything Mackenzie and the Lady Fireballs have done to support the team and the city, of course they’re invited.

Everyone’s families were added because we are family.

All of us.

I don’t know if my father will be in the stands—probably not, since we lost in the playoffs—but Henri and my mom and Nonna are by my side, and that’s what matters.

Jerry’s here too, which is its own kind of weird, but other than him stammering when I asked what his intentions were toward my mother, and then me growling at him when he got within touching distance of Henri, who’s taking this way better than I am, it’s not bad.

It’s weird, for sure, but Mom’s acting like a teenager, which is moderately adorable, so I can handle this.

Also, it’s the first time in almost a week that I’ve gone more than two hours without hearing babies or toddlers or preschoolers who need something, and while my respect for mothers has gone up a thousand-fold, it’s nice to have a small break from Elsa and her family.

It’s possible Henri’s sister is growing on me now that she’s letting her guard down to show her less-than-perfect side.

It’s possible she’s growing on Henri too, though Henri’s so patient with everyone, you’d barely know when she’s frustrated or tired.

I know, though.

And I’m glad she has a break today too. Especially a break that comes with seeing her Lady Fireballs friends for the first time in a week.

We’re lined up along the baselines, with Tripp and Lila and their kids at a podium at second base, the stands full of fans who were given free tickets to come and meet the newest official member of the Fireballs team. Lila’s speaking about what this town has come to mean to her since she inherited the team a year ago, and I’m getting as antsy as Mackenzie on my other side. She and Brooks brought along their dog, who’s being very well-behaved despite how every single minute feels like it’s taking twenty-six years.

Henri squeezes my hand. “It’ll be over soon, and whatever happens, I’ve got your back,” she whispers.

Mackenzie leans around me to peer at her. “I don’t know if I can take another hour of this. I just need to go somewhere and cry.”

“It’s not over,” Brooks murmurs. “You have too much blackmail material on all the mascots now. I don’t care how much gray hair they put on Fiery. They’ll have to bring him back.”

“I’ve been writing mascot porn between helping with Elsa’s kids,” Henri whispers. “Like, porn written by the mascots. Glow’s story is especially offensive, and you’ll never believe who Meaty gets it on with. If your blackmail material isn’t enough, I’ve got phase two ready to launch.”

“She’s truly terrifying, Luca,” Mom murmurs. “I approve.”

Nonna turns and grins at me. “Did I ever tell you how hard I laughed when you put out that fire on my ziti?”

“What? No!” Henri gasps.

Then she claps both hands over her mouth while Lila pauses and looks at us, and it’s clear the Fireballs’ owner heard her.

Possibly half the stands did too, since Lila’s staring straight at Henri as she continues. “It’s true. I never considered selling the Fireballs, despite what you might have heard.”

Max starts coughing on my other side. Brooks has to turn around while he gets his snickers under control.

“I’d laugh at that but I’m too close to crying,” Mackenzie whispers once Lila picks back up with what was clearly her original speech. “Is this supposed to feel like a funeral?”

“You are my hero,” Mackenzie’s dad says to Henri. “She should’ve sold the team if all she was going to do was replace Fiery.”

“She also invested heavily in coaches, talent, and the city to save the team from being shut down by the commissioner,” her papa points out.

“Tomato eggplant.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“And that’s why you love me.”

“I love you,” I whisper to Henri as I loop my arms around her from behind and rest my chin on her head, which is covered with my old Fireballs hat from that fateful day when she got attacked by birds.