Page 74 of Run Home

“I’ll definitely come up for a few minutes,” I say. “I wouldn’t miss the chance to snag an extra moment with you before we leave.”

Crack!

I feel in my hands where the ball made contact with the bat, and I know it’s going to be a grounder heading toward the shortstop hole. Which means I need to book it to first if I’m going to beat the throw.

Sprinting as hard as I can, I try not to question my Venezuelan fried food choices. When I make it to base and the ump motions “safe,” I know Sam is going to have some smug words for me about my home-to-first time. I plan to kiss the smug smile right off her face.

But first, we need to win this game. We’re tied in the bottom of the ninth, and I’d love to finish this off without going into extra innings. I want to steal those few moments with Sam before we have to head to the airport.

Drew hits a single that successfully moves me to second, but the following batter strikes out. Carson is up next, and I mentally channel every good vibe his way. He’s played well tonight—a little looser than his typical uptight self, going so far as to pretend to shoot a basketball after a particularly good defensive save.

“Come on, kid,” I mutter under my breath, taking an extra step in my lead off the base. The pitcher punishes me for it, throwing the ball to second, but I make it back before I’m tagged out. The pitch clock is winding down, so I sneak my way back to that extra leadoff.

When the ball thwacks off Carson’s bat, I pump my arms and run to third, motioned by the coach to head for home. I easily make it to home plate before the ball, winning the game. The stadium lights flicker in celebration, and I run with my hands out to my sides toward Carson at first. Drew meets me there, and together we bear-hug a grinning Carson. I grab around his waist, leaning all my weight back, lifting his feet into the air and giving him a good shake.

“That’s what I’m talking about, Hendricks!” I yell as I release him. He doesn’t grunt, growl, or even glare.

He smirks and says, “Don’t throw out your back, old man!” He smacks the visor of my ball cap over my eyes, and I know we’re going to give him a double dousing of Gatorade during the postgame interview tonight.

After showering Carson with ice-cold blue liquid, then showering myself in hot water, I make my way up to the suite where Sam was watching with Lily and the other WAGs. I smile to myself, so happy that I’m one of the players on the way to visit my girlfriend in that suite.

How long do I need to wait to change Sam’s status from G to W? I wonder as I ride the elevator up.

When I open the door to the suite, I see that Drew beat me here. He’s holding Asher up in the air, making him squeal with a gummy grin even though Lily is reminding Drew that Asher is supposed to be sleeping in the car seat.

I recognize the back of Sam’s choppy blonde hair as she looks up at Asher. When my gaze drops to her back, I freeze.

Striding across the room, I announce, “Hello, we’ll be right back!” Sam turns to see me just before I take her hand, pulling her out of the room and into the empty suite next door.

“Adrian, what are you—” Sam starts to ask as I close the door. She can’t finish her question, though, because my mouth is on hers, kissing her with all the fiery desire I’ve tried to restrain the first few times our lips have met.

I can feel Sam’s surprise melt away as she wraps her arms around my shoulders, as she threads her fingers through my wet hair.

I trace her lips with my tongue while my fingers trace the letters on her back.

When I know I’m on the verge of completely losing control of myself, I take a step back. Sam’s breathing heavily, her eyes dazed in the most hypnotizing way.

“You’re wearing my jersey,” I murmur, my voice husky.

Sam glances down at her shirt, as if needing to confirm for herself that she is, in fact, wearing my jersey. When she looks back up to me, there’s a playful smile on her lips. “You noticed,” she says.

Matching her playful smile, I growl as I step back toward her. “I definitely noticed.” Resting my hands on her hips, I say, “You’d better throw out every other Crowns shirt that you own. We’ll get you an Ortiz jersey in every color.”

She laughs as she locks her hands behind my neck. Pressing onto her toes, she kisses me slowly, then says, “We should maybe go back to the other suite before everyone assumes we’re over here making out.”

I pivot our feet so her back is against the suite door, effectively blocking her from opening it to leave. “Considering that’s exactly what we’re doing, I don’t care what they assume.”

And then I kiss her again, taking my time, controlling the passion, savoring every sigh that escapes Sam’s throat.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Sam jumps as the door shakes behind her. Her eyes flare with panic, and she buries her face in my chest.

“Ortiz? Get out here! We’re gonna miss the flight!” Drew’s stern voice calls from the other side of the door.

“Be right there!” I call.

“Now!” Drew yells. “Don’t make me tell Griff about this!”