Disgusted, I snap at him. “Ooh, gross, he’s a dog. I wouldn’t have anything to do with him.”
His face softens and he smiles. “I didn’t mean it that way. Is he bothering you? You can tell me. Just because he’s my teammate doesn’t mean I would ever stand by and let someone treat you wrong. I want you to tell me what he’s saying to you.”
I know there’s no way around this. He’s miserable. I’m miserable. I know this party is supposed to be a surprise, but I can’t do it anymore. “It’s a surprise party. The team is throwing you a party and I’m supposed to get you there. That’s what he was telling me. That’s why I want to go to the bar down the street. If it was up to me, I would rather go home and be alone with you, but it’s my job to get you there.”
I can see the moment it finally dawns on him and he reaches for me, but I pull my hand back away from him. “I can’t believe you thought I had something going on with Carter. First of all, gross. Second of all, I’m with you. I’m happy with you. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize this… whatever this is.”
He’s shaking his head and this time when he reaches for me, I’m unable to resist. He pulls me across the console until I’m sitting on his lap. He stares straight into my eyes when he tells me, “I didn’t think you were like that. But I knew you were lying to me. And then I started having all these crazy thoughts that I was losing you. I went a little crazy. But I’m sorry. I promise I’ll never not trust you again.”
I forgive him easily. The last few hours were the worst and right now, all I want is to be held by him. “Okay,” I tell him.
“Okay?” he questions me.
I nod my head right before I lean in and kiss him. Before he can deepen the kiss, I pull back. “You can’t let on like you know. The guys are all going to be mad at me that I ruined the surprise.”
He agrees. “I won’t tell them. As long as we only stay an hour tops and then you come home with me.”
I smack him on the chest. “Of course I’m coming home with you. I have to give you your birthday present.”
He smiles like a little boy on Christmas morning. “What did you get me?”
I was nervous thinking about this before. I mean what do you get a famous baseball player that has everything? But now, after tonight, I know I made the right choice.
“Me. I’m giving you me,” I whisper against his lips.
His arms go around me and he squeezes me tightly. “That’s the best gift I’ve ever received. It’s exactly what I want.”
I hate to feel so unsure, but I can’t stop myself from asking, “Really?”
“Abso-fuckin-lutely,” he mutters right before he kisses me until I’m breathless.
Epilogue
Shawn
I can’t believe I ever doubted her. When we get to the party, I act surprised and I’m pretty sure everyone believed us. Holly stays right by my side. The other wives and girlfriends ask her to go dance and she says yes, looking over at me before she goes. Just the way she walks away from me, I can tell she doesn’t want to be apart from me. Why didn’t I notice this sooner? I nod my head at her before pecking at my watch, reminding her that we agreed on one hour. It’s not like I’m controlling. Now that we had our talk, I’m a lot more relaxed, knowing for sure that she’s going home with me tonight… and hopefully every night after.
I watch her as she spins on the dance floor. I can see other men looking her way, but I hold on to my cool, because it’s obvious now she only has eyes for me.
Reagan slaps me on the back, pulling my gaze from Holly. “I guess you’re good now?”
Nodding my head, I turn back to Holly and take a drink of water. “Yep.”
He laughs next to me. “She’s got your balls in a vise, buddy. But as long as you’re happy…”
He trails off, but his words make me think. I’ve always been a content guy. But now I am happy. Every day since I met Holly, I have been happy. She brings so much to my life and I haven’t even thanked her for it. “Yeah, I’m happy,” I assure him.
He holds his mug out to me. “Happy birthday, buddy.”
I clink my mug with his, telling him, “Thanks.”
I smile at Holly across the room, who’s still dancing, but now she’s smiling at me. Right when I’m about to go and drag her off the dance floor and take her home, they start playing a slow song. I can’t resist holding her in my arms.