by Amanda Kay
“So, move in with you as a roommate?”
Why would he think I wanted him as only a roommate? Is that all he wanted? My heart plummeted.
I shook my head. “As my boyfriend. There’s a guest room, but I was hoping you’d want to share the master with me.”
“Is that a good idea? Your career is just getting started, Bryson.”
“My career wouldn’t exist if you hadn’t gotten me that sweet deal, and it doesn’t mean a damn thing without you by my side.”
He leaned close to my lips and whispered, “Yes.” And then, he kissed me quickly.
“That was far too quick,” I chuckled.
“Just being careful.” I nodded.
“Shall we go in to see who gets named King and Queen.” He laughed but nodded.
“Wait.” I grabbed the ring box and placed one of the rings on his right ring finger. He took my lead and placed the other on mine.
“I look forward to the day these rings change hands,” he whispered.
“Me too.” We walked inside, hand in hand, just in time to hear...
“This year, we don’t have a King and Queen. We have two Kings. Bryson Trevino and Caiden Kamry.”
We exchanged a look and laughed. The school had accepted my choice. The school had accepted Caiden, and they were telling us, in this moment, that they were behind us. The present was perfect and knowing Caiden had chosen to be by my side meant the future was going to be bright, even if we faced bumps in the road. With Caiden Kamry, I could achieve anything.
III.
THE FUTURE
Bryson and Caiden
Moving on
Chapter 32
BRYSON
“I miss you, can’t wait until you get here.” I hated that I had to leave him, but finally, justice was playing out, and that meant he had to hang back to testify against Mark.
“Miss you too, Bry. I really wish I didn’t have to do this alone.”
I didn’t want him to do this alone either, but I didn’t have a choice. Two weeks ago, pitchers and catchers had to report to Spring Training.
My thoughts circled back to that day. Caiden and I had spent Christmas and New Year’s together, and then we drove together in my car to what would be our home, but then, at the end of the week, he went back. Back to his mom. And I was left here, working on my classes, while I waited for the season to start. I tried to convince him to stay longer, but he was afraid that he wouldn’t have the courage to return for the trial if he stayed. So, I took him to the airport. I held him tight. I kissed him. And I made damn sure he knew I loved him and that would never change.
His voice pulled me back to our current conversation, “I wish, when I was telling the story again, I could look up and see you there. I don’t know how I’m going to face Mark again. I’m not strong enough for this.”
I didn’t want him to feel that way. I wanted to be there for him. “You are, Caiden. I know it’s hard, and I wish you didn’t have to do this alone.” No, I wanted to get on a plane right then and fly back to him. Hold him tight and keep him safe.
“But you’re waiting for me when this is all over. When the trial ends, I’m hopping on a plane to you and you’ll be there.”
“Absolutely, I’ll be there.” He didn’t need to worry about that. “You’ve got this. Remember, you did nothing wrong. I love you.”
“Love you too. Go knock them dead today.”
“For you, anything.”
He hung up, and I couldn’t help the curse I let out. I hated that I had to report earlier than everyone else since I was a catcher. I knew I should be there for Caiden. Mark was finally getting his day in court, and Caiden was the star witness, but knowing he had to relive that pain, and that when he stepped down from the stand, I couldn’t be there to give him a hug and tell him how proud I was of him, absolutely crushed me.
CAIDEN
“Talk to Bryson?”
At Coach Lewis’ voice, I glanced up. My mom’s boyfriend; someone I was very fond of.
“Needed to hear his voice,” I admitted.
Coach Lewis nodded. “Understandable.”
I needed to get off my chest the emotions running through me, and I knew I could talk with Coach. He knew Bryson as well as anybody. “I want to be angry that’s he’s not here, but I can’t be. He’s got a job to do.”
“It’s okay to be upset. Knowing Trevino, I bet he’s upset at himself for not blowing off reporting day for pitchers and catchers.”
I knew those words were true. If he could make it happen, Bryson Trevino would be right by my side.
“But he can’t be.” He had a job. A job he was good at. He was playing a sport he loved, and I knew I couldn’t be selfish.
“He shouldn’t be, but you’re important to him.” No one had to tell me that. Bryson did a pretty good job of not only telling me but showing me as well.
I looked down at my right hand, the ring he had given me the night of our senior prom still there. I thought about the tattoo I had gotten. I still hadn’t shown him it; I needed to keep it to myself just a little longer. “I know. I just don’t know how I’m going to get through the trial without him.”
Coach Lewis nodded and pulled me into a hug. I needed this fatherly figure, and even though I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, I tensed up. He pulled away and frowned slightly before patting my shoulder and leaving me alone.
I sat with my hands covering my face when I felt the slightest of touches against my knee. A familiar touch. One lost long ago. I looked up and my grandpa was there, smiling at me. Bryson and I had both seen Corbin, but I had only gotten to hear my grandpa’s voice.
“Grandpa?”
His smile got bigger. “I’m proud of you, son.” I threw my arms around him and he returned the embrace. “Be happy, Caiden. I’ll look out for you, but you don’t need me anymore.”
“What?”
“I have to pull back. Corbin has already backed away, and now, it’s my turn, but I wanted you to know that I still love you, and that I’m proud of the man you’ve become.”
I threw my arms around him again and while I was hugging him, he vanished. I laid back, a smile on my face. I was glad I got one last hug.
BRYSON
I hated this. I hated that I was here playing baseball when Caiden needed me. I knew what I needed to do, but I also knew the risk I was about to take.
I approached my manager. “We got a schedule for tomorrow?” He shook his head and eyed me curiously. “I need to go home then for the day.”
“Why?”
“It’s personal.” I didn’t need to air out Caiden’s dirty laundry, so to speak.
“Something to do with your boyfriend then?”
I hoped this wouldn’t be a battle. This wasn’t high school anymore. This was professional baseball. I had to be careful.
“Yes, but it’s personal,” I stressed.
“Go, but know this, you are expected to be at drills the following day.”
I exhaled, I wouldn’t let him down, or Caiden. “Even if I have to travel all night,” I promised.
Before I was able to jog off, his voice stopped me again. “Don’t let him get in the way of your career.”
I looked back his way and smiled. “Caiden would never allow that to happen.”
“Would you?”
“I love baseball, and it’s all I’ve wanted to do, but if a choice came between Caiden and baseball, I would choose Caiden always.” I meant those words too. There was no question about it. He nodded and waved me off.
After I started trotting off again, his voice hit my ears, “You’re a good kid, Trevino.” I hoped so.
I drove home as fast as I could, packed an overnight bag, and found a charter flight service. Checked my bank account. My signing bonus had dwindled a bit but there was still three hundred thousand at least in my account.
While I waited for the pilot to do his checks, I called Caiden’s mom. “Bryson?” Her voice held surprise.
“H
ello, ma’am.”
“Is Caiden’s phone off?”
“No, I needed to speak with you.”
“Everything okay, Bryson? My Caiden is fragile.” I knew he was; that was why I was coming. Caiden had been able to move forward, but now, he was being asked to relive his trauma.
“Yes, ma’am, and I’m on my way to be there with him tomorrow.”
“Really? Does he know you’re coming? Why wouldn’t he tell me that?” Her excitement could be felt through the phone.
“He doesn’t know. I just talked with my manager and was able to sneak away for the day.”
“He’s going to be so happy.” I hoped so. I truly hoped so.
“I hope so. Look, I have a question for you.”
“Go ahead.”
“What do you think about Caiden coming back to Florida with me tomorrow?” I had been thinking about this from the moment I left the stadium. Why did Caiden need to continue to sit there in the court room after tomorrow?
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course, ma’am. I was just thinking it would be good for him.”
“I don’t disagree. I’ll think about it.”
“See you tomorrow, ma’am.”
“See you tomorrow, Bryson. I won’t tell him.”
I smiled. I liked that I would get to surprise him. “Thank you.” I hung up right as the pilot came aboard and said wheels were going up in ten minutes. I closed my eyes and my thoughts quickly drifted to Caiden.
Chapter 33
CAIDEN
I was completely shaking as I rounded the hallway that led to the courtroom. I was positive I wasn’t strong enough to handle telling a room full of mostly strangers what Mark had done to me. Then I saw him there, and my knees buckled. I was grateful for the fact that my mom and Coach were at my side, because, in that moment, I needed to be held up. Bryson was here.
He surged forward and wrapped me in a hug before I fully collapsed. “I got you,” he whispered.
“You’re here,” was all I could manage in the moment.
“I’m here,” he reassured.
Finally, I pulled away slightly. “But how?”
Bryson chuckled, “They have these amazing things called airplanes.”
I swatted at him and laughed a little. “Stop, you know what I mean.”
“Of course, I do, but my comment made you smile.” Damn, he was good.
“Guess it did. But seriously, what are you doing here?” I seriously hoped he hadn’t given up everything for me.
“I couldn’t let you do this alone.”
“But your career?”
“It’s fine, Caiden, and for the record, my career means nothing without you. I can only stay today, but I knew I needed to be here for you.”
I squeezed him tight, so grateful to him. For him. He was one of kind, and I was the luckiest guy on Earth. “Thank you.”
BRYSON
I watched Caiden carefully as he recounted his tale, and even though I knew all of this already and had for some time, hearing it again, with Mark’s lawyers trying to turn it all around on Caiden, was starting to make my blood boil. Why did you continue to go over there after that first night? Why didn’t you call the cops sooner? At some point, you had to have consented.
Coach Lewis put his hand on my shoulder and leaned over to whisper, “Calm down, kid.”
I glared at him but took a steady breath. He wasn’t wrong. I had to stay in check for Caiden. I needed him to be able to look at me and know it was okay. That this wasn’t his fault. He was a victim. No matter how hard Mark’s lawyers tried to spin it.
CAIDEN
After I testified, I had to take Bryson to the airport. He had to get back to Florida. I squeezed him tight. “I don’t want you to go,” I confessed.
He pulled back and cupped my face in his hands. “I don’t want to leave, but I promised. I love you so much, Caiden.” I wanted to go with him. I didn’t want to stay here. I needed his arms around me at night to chase away the demons.
“I love you too, and I’m not mad at you. You signed a contract, and you have to honor it.” I knew he already felt bad, so I had to correct that, or he’d end up walking away from baseball, and I knew I couldn’t let him do that.
“Yeah but know that nothing is more important than you.” I squeezed him to me again. I knew that, he never needed to say it, but it was always nice to hear.
“I know. Hell, Bry, you flew all the way here just to support me.”
He kissed me quickly and whispered, “I couldn’t let you be alone.”
“I wasn’t, but you made the difference.”
“Caiden!”
Mom? I turned to find my mom running toward the gate where the private plane that Bryson had chartered was.
“What are you doing here?”
“Here,” she said, handing over a duffle bag. I stared at her in confusion. “The rest of your stuff, I’ll ship.”
“What?” I stuttered.
“Go. Go with Bryson,” she ordered.
“I’m not leaving you. The trial isn’t over.” She told me she needed me, and Bryson understood that.
“I have Tom. I have Charlotte. You need Bryson. So, go be with Bryson, and I’ll call you and let you know the outcome.”
“But Mom─” She waved me off and hugged me.
“No buts. It’s my turn to protect you, and you don’t need to continue to sit in that courtroom. You don’t need to hear the verdict from the jury. You need to be holding Bryson’s hand when you hear it.” She took a breath and pulled back. “I love you, Caiden.” She kissed my cheek, and instantly, I reacted, pulling her back to me. Finally. She finally returned the protection.
“I love you, Mom.” Releasing her, I looked over at Bryson. “Can I move in sooner?”
He laughed and grabbed my bag off my shoulder. He kissed my mom on her cheek and grabbed my hand, never saying a word but giving me the answer still.
Chapter 34
BRYSON
Once the plane had been in the air for a little bit, I took a chance to see how Caiden was feeling, mostly because his silence was making me nervous. I squeezed Caiden’s hand. “Everything okay?”
Caiden sighed and looked out the window. “I love you. You know I do.”
“Of course, I know that. Caiden, what’s wrong?”
“Is she going to be okay?”
“Your mom?” Caiden just nodded. “She’s going to be fine. Coach is great. He won’t hurt her.”
“I know.” I got it. I got why he was nervous. He had thought of himself as her protector for so long.
“She was right, you know?” Caiden finally looked my way.
“About?”
“You did your part. You didn’t need to continue to sit in that courtroom. You got your revenge and while we don’t know what the jury will say, none of it matters, because we agreed, that night, that we only move forward together.”
“The night of the race?” I hoped he remembered that conversation we had while we were at the race and after we had left the race.
“Yeah. You know, when I decided I was coming, I called her.”
“Called who?”
“Your mom. We talked about you coming with me after, but she told me she wanted to think about it.”
“She told me she needed me there.”
I sighed. “I figured that was case. I’m glad she changed her mind.”
“I am too. I was going crazy without you,” Caiden laughed.
Even though he was laughing, I was worried. What would happen when I had to start traveling for baseball?
“You’ll be okay when I have to go on the road for baseball?”
“Yeah, because when you come home, you’ll be coming home to our house. To me.”
“Damn right,” I smiled. He rested his head against my shoulder, and I kissed the top of it. I could see there was more bothering him, but I didn’t feel right pushing that issue right now.
CAIDEN
I had something else to tell him, but it could wait until we were safely home. Home, that was a nice sentiment. His fingers were in my hair right at the nape of my neck, and I enjoyed that feeling. I had missed this. Missed just being near him. I shifted a bit and laid my arm across his stomach.
“Rest, Caiden,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head again.
“You should rest too,” I whispered.
“I’ll be okay.”
I lifted my head off his shoulder. “You okay?” He nodded and leaned in for a kiss. I took it. I missed his kisses. I missed his touch. I missed him. “I’ve missed you.”
He smiled. “I’ve missed you as well.” As I stared at him, I felt like the dam was going to burst.
“How much longer do you think we’ll be in the air?” He glanced at his watch and shrugged.
“Thirty minutes or so, then we have, probably, a thirty-minute ride home.”
“Is your car at the airport?” He nodded. “I need to tell you something.”
“Tell me.” His fingers interlocked with mine.
“Do you mind if we wait until we’re home first?”
He sighed. “Is that what you need?”
I nodded. “Please, I’m still piecing everything together.”
He nodded and kissed me again, but this time, he didn’t stop right away. We had, of course, made out in the past, but given everything that had happened with Mark, this wasn’t something we did often. Most times, it sent my anxiety through the roof about the next step and I wasn’t ready.
We ended up not having sex the night of senior prom; instead, we went back to the hotel room and made our plans. We laughed. We kissed. And eventually, we fell asleep in each other’s arms, still fully clothed. Well, pretty much. We had taken off our jackets and ties. Socks and shoes. The stuff that wouldn’t get us into trouble.
My anxiety began to bubble as his tongue found mine. I closed my eyes tighter. I did not want him to stop. Yet, at the same time, I did.
BRYSON
I had gotten used to reading him enough to know we needed to stop.
“Why did you stop?” he stuttered.
I eyed him. “Caiden, you tensed up. It was time to stop.” Despite what I wanted, I also knew I didn’t want this to be something he regretted or something he felt I pushed. Was it hard? Every damn day. But I loved him enough to wait.