The Trade(130)
Being traded midseason does a lot of damage to an elite sportsman. Yes, to our egos, because even though I never considered myself egotistical, I was proud. The years with Baltimore had encouraged that pride, that sense of being irreplaceable. But clearly, I wasn’t. I was expendable.
Expendable. It still kills me that I made Natalie feel that way. Especially because she was there. She was one of the first people I talked to about the trade. How it affected me. She had listened.
I’ll never understand why Chicago’s media can treat baseball players—people—the way they treated me. The lies. The blatant misinformation that only encouraged animosity still makes zero sense to me.
Even though the way the Rebels initially shafted me was horrible to experience, it was all worth it because in the long run, I have a few more men in my life I can truly call brothers. They’re fiercely loyal. I get that now. They really weren’t sure if I’d become a Rebel and aim to win with them or go against them.
And our fans? Yes, our fans. I’m glad to say that some of that arrogance and penchant for nastiness has left the ballpark when we play. Some. Not all. Because miracles do not occur overnight. I have an odd but loving relationship with my fans who now wear shirts that say, “Bending over for the boss.” Charming, I know.
As for my future? I have the love of my life in my arms, with my ring on her finger, and a wedding set for this time next year. “You know the more you mention the four times, the more you’re not going to get four times again.”
I laugh into her ear and lower my hand an inch, just above her ass crack. She gasps in my arms as I slide my finger across the small divot. I found out very quickly she’s not wearing any underwear or a bra under the silky blue fabric of her dress, and it’s been driving me crazy the entire wedding.
“You act as if four times was my idea. You’re the one who kept mounting me.”
She laughs and slides her hand under my jacket, playing with my flat nipple until it peaks under her fingertips, causing me to groan.
“Can’t help it, for an older man, you’re incredibly sexy.”
“Enough with that old shit.”
She chuckles and the sound pools all the blood in my body straight to my dick, making me harder than stone right here on the dance floor, surrounded by friends and family. And Natalie feels it because she groans against me.
“God, Cory, you can’t be serious.”
“Your fault,” I say, keeping her close. “All your fucking fault.”
Jason takes that moment to come up to us and grip both our shoulders. “I’m married. I’m fucking married.” He holds his ring finger up to both of us, screams, and then runs off to the next couple.
Chuckling, I say, “Your brother is so fucking weird.”
“Yeah, but he’s the reason we’re here together, your ring on my finger.”
“True.” I bring her engagement ring up to my lips and kiss the back of her hand. “Proudest moment of my life was bending down on one knee to ask you to marry me.”
She lifts her head to look at me. Almost surprised, she says, “That’s a really sweet thing to say.”
“It’s true. You are the best decision I ever made in my life, even if I stumbled along the way realizing it. I know my life wouldn’t be the same without you in it.” I reach down and press a very soft kiss across her lips. “You’re my girl, my love, my beautiful.”
Her hand runs up to my neck where her thumb plays with my freshly shaven jaw. “You are so getting fucked four times tonight.”
I throw my head back and laugh right before I wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tight, never wanting to let go.
I didn’t know I wanted her, needed her, but here I am, the girl of my dreams in my arms, a future ahead of us, surrounded by a band of brothers I never thought I’d have. I thought being traded was the worst thing that ever happened to me, but life works in mysterious ways, because sometimes, when you think you’ve hit rock bottom, perhaps you’re opening a door to an entirely new chapter in life.
And this new chapter, fuck, is it going to be beautiful.
Do you want to find out how Cory proposed? Click HERE
The End