“I didn’t take Danielle from you,” Ace said, whispering her name. “I would never do that.”
“We trusted you,” Mrs. Kipling said, her voice breaking “When Linc was with you, we always assumed he’d be safe, that you’d look out for him.”
Finally, they were getting to the heart of their hatred.
“I should have.” Ace hung his head. “I let him down, and I let you down. I’m sorry.” He forced himself to look into their eyes, but he knew his apology was just empty words to them. They held no meaning.
“You didn’t just let us down,” Mr. Kipling argued. “If you’d let him leave with someone else, someone who’d been driving drunk, that would have been letting us down. But yo-you killed him! You were behind that wheel—”
“I know,” Ace said, trying to breathe. “There’s no excuse for what I did. I’ll have to live with that for the rest of my life, knowing that I was responsible for my best friend’s death. But I’m not the same dumb kid I was back then. I swear to you.”
“We know you’re a baseball player now,” Mr. Kipling said, shaking his head. “That everyone looks up to you like you’re some demi-god, but we know what you really are.”
“What am I?” Ace asked, looking into his eyes. “What do you see when you look at me? Do you see a murderer? Do you see a man who would intentionally kill your son?”
Mrs. Kipling sank back on the bottom step, resting her face in her hands as she cried softly.
Her husband looked at her as he opened and closed his mouth. “I see a spoiled, entitled excuse for a man who’s never even tried to take responsibility for his actions.”
Ace could argue that he’d done his time and tried to help the city he loved. He could tell them that he’d been a good role model for the kids who looked up to him, that he’d even set up a scholarship in Linc’s name. But none of that would erase the fact that he’d waited too long to face them with an apology.
“You hate me for what I did,” Ace said, resting his shoulder against the wall for support. “I get that. You have every right to feel that way. But I think you also hate me because you think I’m living the life your son should be living. Playing in the big leagues the way he would have wanted to.”
“The way he deserved to,” Mr. Kipling snapped. “I have no doubt he would have made it.”
“Neither do I.” Ace turned his arm over while pulling his T-shirt sleeve up to reveal his tattoo. “You think what happens ever leaves me? It doesn’t. He’s with me all the time.”
Mrs. Kipling gasped as she stared at the portrait of her son on Ace’s arm. “Oh my God, it looks just like him, doesn’t it?”
“It does.” Ace brushed his thumb over the ink. “The artist was amazing. She didn’t just capture his smile, but his spirit too, don’t you think?”
Mrs. Kipling nodded as she stared at it. “His eyes seem to sparkle… just like I remember.”
“You think just because you show us some tattoo that all will be forgiven?” Mr. Kipling asked, slicing his hand through the air.
“No.” Ace pulled his sleeve down, shoving his hand in the pocket of his jeans. “I don’t expect the tattoo to mean much to you. But it means everything to me. It reminds me of my mistakes. It makes me want to live in a way that honors Linc’s memory every day. It makes me want to be the kind of ball player he would have been, the kind of role model he would have been.”
“You were like a son to us,” Mr. Kipling said, tears filling his eyes as his voice cracked. “And you betrayed us.”
“I know.” Ace’s heart twisted painfully. “I betrayed Danielle too.”
Mrs. Kipling’s eyes raised to meet Ace’s. “Is that the real reason you’re here? Did she ask you to come?”
He shook his head. “Last night, I found out about the baby she lost.”
Danielle’s mother closed her eyes and folded her hands, resting her elbows on her knees. “We haven’t talked about that in years.”
“Were you sad when she lost the baby? Or did you think it was for the best?” Ace knew picking at an old scab wasn’t the way for it to heal, but he had to know what they’d been thinking and feeling back then.
“She was young,” Mrs. Kipling whispered. “So young. And we were all still grieving. At first I thought a baby would be more than any of us could handle.” She looked up at her husband. “But when we found out she’d miscarried, I locked myself in my room and cried for days. Danielle thought I was crying for her brother. And I was. But I was crying for her too… and for us and that sweet baby we’d never get to meet.”
“Danielle could have more children someday,” Ace said, wondering if he was crossing an invisible line. “Wouldn’t you like to be a part of their lives?”
“If not for you, she’d be married by now,” her father said, glaring at Ace. “To a man who loved her, who would have been a good husband—”
“A good husband wouldn’t cheat on her.” Ace met Mr. Kipling’s determined stare with one of his own. “I would never cheat on her.”
“You expect me to believe anything you have to say?”
“Look at me,” Ace challenged, pushing off the wall as he stepped toward the man who’d taught him how to face his fears. “I’m still the same kid you used to say you loved like a son.”
A sob escaped Mr. Kipling’s lips before he covered his mouth. “No. That isn’t true. I don’t even know you anymore.”
“You could get to know me,” Ace whispered. “If you gave me a chance, you’d see I’m not the monster you think I am.” When Mr. Kipling looked at his wife instead of responding, Ace bent down on one knee, looking into her eyes. “I can’t give back what I took from you. I know that.”
Fisting her hand over her mouth as tears streamed steadily down her cheeks, she whispered, “It still hurts so much.”
“I know.” He grasped her free hand. It was ice cold, but at least she didn’t pull away. “And I’m so sorry I hurt you.” He looked up at the man towering over him. “I’m so sorry for the pain I caused both of you. But I’m begging for a chance to make things right. Please. Can you give me that?”
“How?” Mrs. Kipling asked, swiping at her damp cheeks. “How can you do that?”
“You still have a daughter who loves you and needs you in her life.”
“We do miss her,” Mrs. Kipling said. “I hate this rift that’s developed between us since…”
“She started seeing me.” Ace released her hand as he inched back. “Only time can prove to you how much I love your daughter and that making her happy is the only thing I want.”
“Does she love you?” Mrs. Kipling asked. “Has she told you she loves you?”
Ace nodded.
The Kiplings exchanged a glance before Danielle’s father said, “We’re not going to stand in the way of her happiness.”
He wasn’t exactly endorsing their relationship, but Ace felt they’d made progress. It was something they could hopefully build on. He stood, debating whether to offer his hand to Mr. Kipling.
“Thank you,” Ace said finally, stepping back.
“We didn’t want to hate you,” Mrs. Kipling said, standing. “Our pastor told us we had to forgive you so we could move on. But until I saw you again, I didn’t see how that was possible.”
Mr. Kipling put his arm around his wife. “Please ask our daughter to call us when you see her? We need to talk.”
“Of course.” Ace only hoped that by the time he was able to talk to her, she’d still be willing to listen.
Chapter Twenty-One
When Tenley texted and invited her to Ace’s game that night, Dani wasn’t sure she could go. She hadn’t heard from him since he learned about her pregnancy. Twenty-three hours, and each one seemed longer than the last. But in the end, she decided getting out of her apartment was her only hope of not going off the deep end.
They agreed to meet at the stadium, and Tenley said she’d leave a ticket for Dani at the front office.
Dani arrived at the stadiu
m and approached the box office window.
“Hey,” Tenley said, jogging up. “I’m so glad I caught you. I was going to text you to let you know I was running a bit late, but my phone died.” She held up the device with a blank screen. “I left my car charger in Rowan’s vehicle last time I drove it.”
“No worries,” Dani said, giving her friend a hug. “Thanks for the invite. I needed to get out of the house.”
“I’m guessing things didn’t go well with Ace last night?” Tenley asked, handing their tickets to the gatekeeper so she could scan them while a uniformed security guard checked their purses.
“Uh, about as well as expected, I guess. He was shocked. Not that I blame him. I feel like I blindsided him, but not telling him about it didn’t feel right either.” She tugged on Tenley’s elbow to bring her to a halt as people continued moving around them. When Dani realized they were about to be trampled, she pulled Tenley off to a side counter where a vendor was selling team merchandise. “Do you think telling him was a mistake? Should I have kept it to myself?”
“No, it wasn’t a mistake,” Tenley said, shaking her head. “What happened is a part of you. You’ll never forget it.” She curled a hand around Dani’s forearm. “Think about it, sweetie. If you and Ace got married and pregnant again, you’d be experiencing that for the second time. Only you couldn’t tell him that. Would you really be able to live with that kind of lie between you?”
“No.” Dani bit her lip as she watched two pretty girls, both with Ace’s last name and number on their backs, pass. “I just don’t want him to hate me. It felt like we were finally getting to a good place, and now he won’t even talk to me.”
“Just give him time,” Tenley promised. “He’ll come around.”
***
It was the bottom of the ninth inning, one out, and the pitcher had just walked the lead-off batter. Ace had had a perfect night so far: a walk, a single, and a double. It was his last at bat, and Dani folded her hands in her lap, silently praying he could give his team the winning run.
Both starting pitchers had gone deep into the ball game and the bullpens came in for two solid innings of relief, making it a one-run game. If Ace’s team lost this game, they’d be tied for first place in their division. Though it was still fairly early in the season, Dani knew the defending division champions would hate chasing their opponents in the standings.
Tenley gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. He’s got this. I have a good feeling.”
Dani wished she could say the same. She’d felt terrible all night. Every time Ace stepped onto the field, she got an ache in her chest, wondering if she’d ever be able to touch him again.
Fans around them roared, most jumping to their feet, stomping and chanting “MVP,” the honor he’d earned last season. The sound was deafening, but Dani was too zeroed in on Ace to care. She watched him take a ball low and inside. The next one that crossed the plate was questionable, but called a strike, which prompted Ace to shake his head in disgust at the umpire.
The pitcher knew Ace was dangerous, so he was careful not to give him anything to hit. He pitched away from his power, mostly fastballs, outside. With the exception of one curveball that landed in the sweet spot. The crack of the ball hitting the bat could be heard over the screaming fans as everyone held their collective breath, waiting to see if it would stay fair or curve foul.
“He did it!” Tenley screamed, jumping up and down as she hugged Dani.
Dani beamed as she clapped and whistled along with the rest of the capacity crowd.
The next batter hit into a ground-out, resulting in a double play that ended the game.
As people started filing out of the stands, Dani laughed. “Wow, that was exciting. It’s always way better being here than watching it on TV.” She grabbed her purse from the ground. “Thanks again for the invite, Tenley.”
“Wait,” Tenley said, clutching her purse strap. “You’re not leaving now, are you? Don’t you want to see Ace?”
She wanted to see him more than anything but felt the decision should be his. “I think I’ll wait it out, let him call me when he’s ready to talk.”
“Screw that,” Tenley said, grabbing Dani’s hand and hauling her down the stairs. “Sometimes these guys need a push in the right direction.”
“But—”
“No buts,” Tenley warned. “I’m not letting you leave here until you see him.”
Tenley showed the guard her pass and was led to a waiting area just outside of the locker rooms, where some of the other players’ wives and girlfriends had gathered.
“I don’t feel right about being here,” Dani said, turning her back to the locker room door. “Ace doesn’t even know I’m here. What if he doesn’t want to see me?”
“You’ll never know if you hightail it out of here, will you?”
Dani knew Tenley was only trying to help, but forcing Ace to see her before he was ready would only push him further away. Before Dani could argue anymore, Tenley led her to a nearby restroom under the guise of checking their makeup.
They reapplied their lipstick as Tenley eyed her in the mirror. “If he didn’t call you, would you really let him go? Just like that? You wouldn’t even fight for him?”
Since it was a semi-private washroom, accessible only to those with special privileges, Dani was pretty sure they were alone. She sighed as she dropped her lipstick into her purse. “It wouldn’t be easy, but if he decided he didn’t want to be with me, what choice would I have?”
“Danielle,” Tenley said, stepping into her path when Dani started making her way to the door, “we always have a choice. Fight for what we want or give up. I’ve had to fight for everything in life, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Learning to fight makes you stronger, more confident.”
Easy for Tenley to say, since she was a skilled martial artist, had a supportive family, and was married to the love of her life. Her days of having to fight alone were over.
“I appreciate what you’re saying,” Dani said, shaking her head. “But you can’t force someone to be with you. That would never work. Either Ace will come to me on his own or he won’t. But confronting him in front of his teammates doesn’t feel right. I’m just going to head out.”
Tenley gave her a quick hug. “I want to beg you to stay, but I can see that you’ve already made up your mind.”
“Thanks for everything,” Dani said, squeezing her hand. “I’ll call you soon. Maybe we can do lunch?”
“I’d like that.”
Dani hesitated at the door before opening it. “Uh, can you do a quick spot check before I slip out, make sure Ace isn’t out there?”
Tenley rolled her eyes before making her way to the door. “Sure.” She peeked out before whispering to Dani, “Coast looks clear.”
“Cool, thanks.”
Dani almost made it to the exit before she heard him calling her name. Damn. If she’d wanted to blend in, maybe she should have thought twice about wearing his jersey. She turned slowly, knowing she had no choice but to face him now.
“Hey,” Ace said, jogging up to her. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”
“Um, Tenley invited me.” She pointed over his shoulder to where Tenley and Rowan stood, their arms around each other as they watched them.
He glanced at the exit. “And you were just going to sneak out without seeing me? Why?”
“I just thought maybe you needed a little more time to figure things out before we talk.”
“I was going to call you after the game,” he said, stepping closer. “I’ve taken all the time I need.”
“Oh, okay.” She closed her eyes when he brushed the back of his hand against her cheek.
“Follow me back to my place?”
“Um, I, uh, have to work tomorrow. Maybe we should—”
“Please, Dani. This is important.” His lips grazed her cheek as he cupped the back of her head, sinking his hand into her hair. His eyes held hers as he whis
pered, “I can’t spend another night not knowing where we stand.”
Last night had been miserable for her too. She’d barely closed her eyes before images of Ace filled her mind. Memories and fantasies blended together, provoking tears that covered the pillows she’d shared with him.
She licked her dry lips. “Fine, I’ll follow you.” She’d follow him anywhere, but she wasn’t sure he was ready to hear that.
***
Ace could tell Dani was still guarded, but as he welcomed her into his home, he hoped this would be the night they could put their fears to rest. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No thanks.”
He brought her hand to his lips as they settled on the sofa. “I like seeing my name on you,” he teased, tugging on her jersey. It was on the small side, and she was wearing it over a low-cut white tank top, making it look sexier than the manufacturers had probably intended.
“Just trying to show my support.” She smiled. “You were great tonight, by the way. Congrats on the win.”
“Thanks.” He was amazed that he’d been able to maintain his focus on the field, since every time he took the bench, his thoughts drifted to Dani and what he would say to her when he had the chance. “Um, about last night…” He threaded his hand through hers. “I’m sorry if I didn’t react the way you hoped I would. I was just stunned and—”
“You don’t have to apologize,” she said, shaking her head. “I get why you were upset. You had every right to be. You must have felt like you were kept in the dark, the only one who didn’t know when you should have been the first person I told.” She looked into his eyes. “I’m the one who should be sorry. You had every right to know about our baby. And I would have told you. I swear I would have.” She lifted a shoulder, sighing. “I just didn’t get the chance.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that alone, sweetheart.” He’d spent a lot of time trying to put himself in Dani’s position, imagining how scared and alone she must have felt.
Hit and Run (Summer Rush #2) Page 20