For the Game

by Amber Garza

  “Okay, my turn.” Cooper’s grandma held out her arms from where she and Cooper’s grandpa sat to my right. “Nolan, you want to come see your great grandma?”

  He smiled a toothless grin in response, and I handed him over. She bounced him in her lap, as I stared out over the field. While Nolan was being spoiled by his grandparents I sat back in my seat and pulled out my cell phone. Keeping my hand over my phone to shield it from the sun, I opened my emails. My heart flipped in my chest when I saw one from my literary agent. With shaking fingers, I pressed on it. After skimming it, a smile spread across my face. Everything was on track for the release of my debut novel next month. I thought about the proof copy sitting on my coffee table at home. I could picture the glossy cover, the interior pages with my name on the top of every other one. It all seemed so surreal. I was sure it wouldn’t feel like reality until I saw my book sitting on the shelf at the bookstore. Even then I wasn’t sure I’d believe it. Being a published author had been my dream since I was a little girl, and it seemed unfathomable that it was actually happening.

  A ping sounded, alerting me to a text message. It was from Dad. I clicked on it, and a picture of he and Lisa popped up on my screen.

  Dad: Wish we could be there for Cooper’s big day. But we’re watching it on my laptop from Paris.

  I grinned, shooting off a response.

  Me: I’ll let him know.

  Dad and Lisa had married a few years ago, and after Dad retired he and Lisa spent most of their time traveling. It was something he and Mom had dreamt of doing, and I was glad that even though Mom was gone he was able to fulfill his dream.

  The crowd erupted into cheers as the announcer began introducing the players for the Oakland A’s. I shoved my phone back into my pocket and sat forward in anticipation. When Cooper’s name was said over the loudspeaker, I leapt out of my seat and screamed. My pulse raced as he took the field in his crisp white uniform, the green hat perched on his head.

  “Look, Nolan. It’s Daddy.” Pride welled up in my throat, making it difficult to breathe. This was Cooper’s moment. The day he’d been working towards his entire life. And he deserved it more than anyone I’d ever met. Nolan cooed from his great-grandma’s arms. When my gaze flickered over to Cooper’s grandpa, I saw the moisture gathering in his eyes. Mine started to fill as well, and when our eyes met, he smiled. I knew the look of pride on his face mirrored my own.

  When I returned my gaze to the field, Cooper was on the mound. His head lifted, craning in my direction. Even from this distance I knew he was looking right at me. I blew him a kiss, and his lips curved upward. He mouthed ‘I love you’ and then turned his attention back to the team. It was a quick interaction. One most people probably didn’t even notice, but it meant the world to me. This may have been Cooper’s moment, but he was acknowledging that it was also mine. Together we’d worked to get here. I’d helped him every step of the way. Just like my book deal was just as much Cooper’s as it was mine. He’d supported me through all the hours in front of my computer. He’d read all the drafts and gave me tips and advice. He’d held me when I cried over rejection letters, and cheered with me over my victories.

  Nolan clapped his little hands together as the game started. At six months old he was too young to know what was happening. He just liked to clap. Still, I liked to think it was his way of supporting his dad. Before my book deal or Cooper’s offer to play for the A’s, a different dream of ours was fulfilled. It wasn’t really a planned one, but it was a miracle just the same.

  After the cancer and all the treatments I’d had as a teenager, there was no guarantee that I would be able to conceive. And even if I did, I assumed it would take some work. But no. Nolan came at a time when I wasn’t even trying. A few months into our marriage we weren’t careful one night, and next thing I knew we were having a baby.

  Our little miracle baby. That’s what we called him. And he truly was. A perfectly healthy little boy. And he made our family complete.

  I sat down as the game started, but I couldn’t sit still. My legs bounced up and down, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I didn’t start to relax until Cooper struck out the first batter. Only then did my shoulders soften, my pulse start to regulate. I didn’t know why I was so nervous anyway. I knew Cooper had this. He was the best pitcher I knew.

  “That’s my boy!” Cooper’s grandpa hollered.

  Happiness filled me as I watched the man I loved more than life itself living his dream. Playing for the team he’d loved since he was a child. Cooper continued to strike out the batters, his pitches consistent, his focus never wavering. Nolan played musical laps with the three of us, and a few times I had to walk him around the stands to keep him entertained. I had to steal away a couple of times to feed him too. Still, I thought he did well for his first baseball game. And I didn’t miss much. Any time I had to leave, Cooper’s grandpa gave me the play-by-play when I returned. Seriously, he should have taken up a career as a sports announcer.

  When the game was over, we headed over to congratulate Cooper on the win.

  “There’s my girl.” He swept me up into his arms and kissed me hard on the lips. His mouth tasted like sweat and mint.

  “You played amazing. I’m so proud of you,” I said.

  When he smiled, my heart skipped a beat. It was amazing that after all this time he still had this effect on me. Standing before me in his uniform he looked just as sexy as the first time I’d laid eyes on him. In fact, he looked even sexier. And I marveled once again at the fact that he was all mine.

  “Thanks.” His eyes rested on his son who was contentedly sleeping in his grandma’s arms. “Looks like I put my boy to sleep.”

  I chuckled. “It’s been a long day for him.”

  Staring at his son, Cooper sighed. “It means the world to me that he’s here though.”

  I squeezed him tight, knowing full well why that was so important to him. As if on cue, his grandpa stepped forward. I drew back to give them a minute, and offered to relieve Grandma. She wouldn’t take me up on it though. I swear she’d hold Nolan all day every day if she could. Not that I was complaining. It was nice to give my arms a rest.

  “I’m so proud of you, son.”

  “I couldn’t have done this without you, Grandpa.” Cooper’s eyes filled with moisture. “You know how much I’ve wanted to make my dad proud by making it to the major leagues.”

  His grandpa nodded.

  “But it’s funny, because today when I looked up in the stands all I could think about was how much it meant to me that you were here. I don’t mean to take away the love I have for my parents, but you and Grandma raised me. You’re the only dad I’ve ever really known.”

  “Oh, Cooper. Since the day you came to live with us you’ve been our son.” Stepping forward, he enveloped Cooper in a hug. Fighting back tears, I glanced away. “But I know your mom and dad are looking down from heaven, and they’re just as proud as your grandma and I are.”

  When they separated, both of them wiped their faces. Cooper moved toward me, slinging an arm around my shoulder. “I’m guessing Grandma hasn’t let go of that boy all day,” he joked.

  “Hey, he likes his great-grandma,” she teased.

  “Oh, I’m sure he does.” Cooper looked from his son to his grandpa and then back to me. “This is the best day of my life. And not just because of the game. All of it. Having all of you here. It’s like a dream.”

  “But it’s not. It’s reality.”

  Cooper stared into my eyes, as if letting the statement sink in. “I love you, London.” He leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. “Always.”

  The word ‘always’ had taken on different meanings throughout my life. When I was sick I wasn’t sure if ‘always’ meant one more week, one more day, one more hour. But then the days turned to months, and the months turned to years. And I lived. And I flourished. Cooper had given me a miracle, and now my future spread before me vast like the ocean. The possibilities were endless. Cooper h
ad given me a life I never even dreamed of, and loved me more intensely than I ever imagined someone could.

  I still had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but I knew that Cooper would be by my side…always.

  THE END

  FOR THE RUSH (Playing for Keeps #3) Coming Spring 2015! Turn the page for a sneak peek at the cover.

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  Here is a sneak peek at the cover of

  FOR THE RUSH (Playing for Keeps #3)

  Author’s Note and Acknowledgments

  The positive feedback from FOR THE WIN has been overwhelming. Readers have been loving London and Cooper’s story. When I first wrote FOR THE WIN, I thought it would be a standalone. My plan had been to write another sports romance about a completely different couple. But as emails and reviews started pouring in, it was clear that I needed to finish London and Cooper’s story. Many readers wanted to know what would happen to the couple once Cooper went away to college. They wanted to know if Cooper made it to the major leagues and if London stayed healthy. So I decided to continue on with their story in FOR THE GAME. I had a lot of different ideas for what could happen in this book. I pondered London getting sick again. I pondered them breaking up and getting back together. But in the end I just started writing and allowed London and Cooper to dictate where their story would lead. And the truth is, that their love for one another was too strong for them to break up. And London was getting healthier. I didn’t want her to have a setback. I wanted her to have a bright future. As I wrote, I realized that both London and Cooper had baggage that needed to be dealt with in order to have a future together. Cooper needed to face his parents’ death, and London needed to face her insecurities. So that’s where their journey took me. I feel satisfied with it, and I hope you do too.

  As always, I have a ton of people to thank:

  Lisa Richardson, my super star editor. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

  Kris at C & K Creations for my fabulous cover. I love it so much. It’s perfect.

  Cambria Hebert for being an awesome beta reader, and a huge support to me on days where I just want to lie around in my pajamas and not write a word. Cameo Renae for her daily encouragement.

  To Leanne Coulson for coming up with Fallbrook University.

  To Kagen for responding to all my crazy texts, even when I asked him what the mask was called that the catcher wears over his face. Ha ha! But seriously, without your baseball facts and pitching knowledge I would truly be lost.

  To Matt for helping with the dialogue between the players, baseball jargon, and helping me with friendly trash talk. I appreciate you looking over scenes I sent you and making changes.

  To my kids for being two of my biggest blessings.

  To my husband for being my “always.”

  To my fan club – your enthusiasm for London and Cooper’s story encouraged me to keep writing. #londonandcooperforever

  To my extended family – there are too many to name, but I love you all!

  To all my readers, bloggers and fans, you make this all worth it! I can’t thank you enough.

  And, most of all, to God, who makes all this possible. Everything I do is for you.

  Amber

  About the Author

  Amber Garza is the author of the Delaney’s Gift Series, the Prowl Trilogy, suspense novel Engraved, and many contemporary romance titles, including Star Struck, Tripping Me Up and For the Win. She has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Tea and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they’re real people. She currently lives in California with her amazing husband, and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.