The Off-Season

by Megan Green

  But I’ll be honest. I thought the news story would sway him. I half-expected to see him show up on my doorstep the same day it ran. And, with each day that passes, I find myself growing more and more worried that I’ve truly lost him for good.

  Getting Paul Sharp to run the article was easier than I’d thought. When I e-mailed him, I promised him a story his readers would eat up. I mean, who doesn’t love reading a good love story? Especially when it involves one person practically begging for a second chance. Plus, as I told him, he sort of owed me one. He had taken my name and splashed it all over the internet, the vast majority of what he’d said untrue. I told him, if he helped me out, I wouldn’t sue his ass for defamation.

  But, honestly, he seemed to have lost some of his resentment for Ian, even before I contacted him. Considering all the ugliness Sharp had written about Ian in the last few months, I’d expected him to hold true to his accusations and tell me to give a lawsuit my best shot. But, instead, he e-mailed back almost instantly, asking if he could fly out to talk with me.

  The reality of the man is much less intimidating than his online presence. He was a small, skinny man with thinning hair and clothes that didn’t seem to fit quite right. I have a feeling he was the sort of kid who was bullied growing up. Most likely, by athletic men like Ian. It’s easy to imagine how Paul could develop a certain animosity against people he thought were like those who’d tormented him in the past. And, for some reason, he’d chosen Ian as his target. Even though Ian couldn’t be further from the type of person Paul thought he was.

  But, even if I haven’t heard from Ian since the story ran, at least one good thing has come out of it. Paul wasn’t my only unexpected visitor last week. Two days ago, a knock sounded at my door as I patched the hole I’d made in the wall the night I lost my shit.

  I dropped the tub of spackle and the tool I’d been using to smooth it on and rushed to the door. I flung it open, hoping to find Ian staring back at me. Instead, I got the shock of a lifetime.

  Lily James and her mother were smiling at me from their spot on the porch.

  It took a few seconds for me to wrap my brain around what was happening. And, when I did, I nearly fell over myself while trying to invite them inside.

  We exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes before Lily got right down to it.

  “I don’t want you to be sad.”

  I almost slid off my chair when she spoke the words. “Wh-what do you mean?”

  She looked at her mother for assistance, and the older version of her smiled over at me. “Lily doesn’t want you to be sad over what happened.”

  My mouth dropped open, my thoughts running wild in my head. “I don’t understand.”

  “Don’t feel bad anymore.” Lily’s voice cut through my inner torment. “I’m not sad. And I don’t want you to be either.”

  I looked at her mother, who was smiling proudly at her daughter. When her eyes turned to me, they shone with tears.

  “Lily and I read your story. And we realized something. We never told you that we forgive you.”

  “H-h-how is that possible?” I stammered, tears springing to my eyes.

  “We’ve had some hard times, Lexi. Lily has been through more surgeries than any young girl should ever have to endure. But look at her. She’s the happiest little girl I know. That didn’t change after that night. She has bad days, like anybody. But she doesn’t let it stop her. Deep down, we know you made a mistake. Do I wish you hadn’t? Every single day of my life. It nearly killed me, watching my little girl struggle to get to where she is now. But, if your words showed me one thing, it’s that you’re a good person. You’re a good person who made a terrible decision. So, we forgive you. And we think it’s time for you to do the same.”

  Lily sat next to me as I cried, running her delicate fingers through my hair. And, when I embraced her, I felt those last remaining pieces of my heart regenerate. They left shortly after.

  I’ll never be able to forget what I did. But knowing that sweet girl doesn’t resent me for permanently altering her life is the final piece I needed to heal. My heart is whole. For the first time in a long, long time.

  She made me promise I’d come to one of her recitals next time I was in Chicago. And, even though I don’t have a reason to go back there ever again, especially not after my so-called friends had betrayed me without a second thought, I promised I’d be there for her Christmas performance next month. I don’t care if I have to make a special trip just for that. She’s worth it.

  My life is finally coming together, like my house, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I’m actually excited to see where it takes me.

  I only wish Ian were along for the ride.

  I grab the vase I purchased online and head toward the entryway. I fill it with the decorative grass I also purchased, fluffing and fussing until it’s exactly how I want it. I take a step back, surveying my handiwork. I still have a long way to go until the whole house is finished. But this room…this room is done.

  It feels damn good.

  Now, to decide what to do next—the kitchen or the bedroom.

  I’m weighing the pros and cons of each when there’s a knock at the door.

  This time, whoever is on the other side doesn’t wait for an answer. The knob jiggles, and when it isn’t met with the resistance of the lock, it turns all the way, the door swinging wide.

  I look over my shoulder, and a smile spreads across my face.

  Ian is standing in my doorway, a tool belt slung low on his hips, a ratty long-sleeved shirt and jeans the only things shielding him from the elements.

  Realizing he must be freezing, I rush forward, pulling him inside and closing the door behind him.

  He stands with his hands on his hips, taking in the room around us. “I like what you’ve done with the place. Here I thought, you might need my help. I guess, if my services are no longer needed, I’ll be on my way,” he says with a mischievous tone.

  I grab on to his arm, pulling him back toward me. “If you take one more step toward that door, I’ll handcuff you to the bed.”

  “In that case…” He trails off, pulling out of my grip and lunging for the door. After he places his hand on the cool wood, he turns around, holding his wrists together. “Ready for those cuffs, Officer.”

  I roll my eyes, giving him a lighthearted smack as I laugh. He pulls me against him, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me in place.

  My face falls as I pull back to look him in the eye. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again,” I say, the playfulness of the moment gone.

  “I wasn’t sure you wanted to,” he replies, his throat bobbing up and down as he swallows hard.

  “When you didn’t show up after the article, I thought I’d lost you.”

  He gives me a slight smile. “Took me a few days to get things squared away. Add the freak snowstorm that hit Seattle, and I was grounded for longer than I wanted. Believe me, I would have been here sooner if I could have been. I finally rented a car and drove. Really could’ve used that damn truck I left next door.”

  My mouth falls. “That’s a long drive.”

  He nods, his lips spreading into that charming grin I’ve come to love so much. “Worth it though. Because I get to do this.”

  His lips press against mine in the softest of kisses, as if he’s testing the waters, gauging my reaction. When he pulls back, I stop him.

  “I think we can do better than that,” I say and pull him back to me.

  This time…

  This time, our kiss is everything.

  He moves slowly at first, his fingers tangling in my hair as he tilts my head back to give himself better access. But it’s been too long, far too many days since the last time I’ve felt this man’s fingers on my skin. And I’m suddenly desperate for his touch.

  “I need you, Ian,” I whisper against his lips.

  His eyes find mine, a fire igniting behind them.

  His hands are gentle as
they unbutton my shirt, his fingers tentative against the fabric. By the time he gets to the third button, I can’t take it anymore. I grab hold of the thin material and yank it open. Grabbing his hands, I place them on my breasts.

  “I need you, Ian,” I say again. “Now.”

  He doesn’t waste any more time, quickly shucking his jeans and driving inside me as soon as my ass hits the couch. He makes love to me fiercely, his every thrust as desperate and frantic as my own. I meet him every step of the way, my body rubbing against his, desperate for more friction. I can’t get close enough, can’t get enough of him. Can’t believe he’s actually here…

  When he finds that perfect spot inside me, sending a wave of electricity through my body, I can’t help the cry that springs free from my lips.

  “Oh, God. Oh, Ian. Oh, God, I’ve missed you.”

  He stifles my words with his mouth, his tongue massaging mine as he swallows my cries. When I come apart beneath him, he moves faster, taking me to heights I didn’t even know existed, extending my orgasm to an almost deliciously painful level.

  He rocks against me a few more times before he stiffens, groaning out his release as he collapses into my body. I take his weight, relishing in the feel of him in my arms once more.

  I am whole. I am complete. I am…loved.

  Ian stretches out on the couch, pulling my back against his front so he’s spooning me—his favorite position. He runs his nose up and down the back of my neck, nuzzling the tender flesh in the way he knows drives me wild.

  “Thank you,” he says when he reaches my earlobe, giving it a gentle nip.

  “For what?” I ask as I shiver.

  “For not giving up on yourself. And for not giving up on us.”

  I roll over, turning myself so that I’m facing him. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

  He shakes his head before kissing the tip of my nose. “I would’ve waited forever.”

  “But what about your letter? About you letting me go?”

  He pulls me against him, tucking my face into the crook of his shoulder and resting his chin on top of my head. “Never would’ve worked. You have my heart, Lexi. And there’s no walking away from your heart. You need it to survive.”

  I smile against his warm skin, breathing in the rich scent of him.

  A thought suddenly springs to my mind, and I push back, trying to wriggle out of his grasp. “Oh, I have something for you.”

  He wraps his arms around me tighter. “I have everything I need right here.”

  I giggle. “It’ll just take a second. I promise I’ll be right back,” I tell him, breaking his hold on me and climbing from the couch.

  He moans in protest.

  I smile as I cross the room, grabbing the small box from the hallway table.

  Ian sits up as I return, giving me a quizzical look when he sees the gift box. “You got me a present? Pretty presumptuous, aren’t you, Miss Barnes?”

  I shrug. “I like to be prepared.”

  I don’t tell him how I was afraid I’d never get the chance to give it to him. That can wait until later. Later, the two of us need to have a very serious talk. Figure out how this entire thing is going to work, sort out all the heartache and misunderstandings of the past few weeks. I have a lot of groveling left to do. But, for now, I’m going to enjoy this.

  I hand him the box and watch as he unties the ribbon.

  When he opens the box, he turns to me, his brows furrowed. “A key?”

  I nod. “To the house. The house next door is Brandon’s. And, after all you’ve done to help me fix this place up, I want you to feel like it’s yours, too. Like you always have a place to call home in Maple Lake.”

  He presses a kiss to my forehead. “You’re my home. So, as long as you’re in Maple Lake, it’ll always be home.”

  I blush at his comment, heat and butterflies flooding throughout my entire body. I nod toward the box. “There’s something else in there, too. Under the paper.”

  He pulls out the tissue paper, his confusion only deepening when he finds the hidden gift. “Uh, another key?”

  “Take it out,” I say, watching as he pulls the key from the box.

  It’s attached to a long chain, and engraved on one side is the word love. On the other is my name.

  “I don’t understand?” His words come out as a question.

  I take the necklace from his hand and loop it over his head. “I know it’s a little corny, but this is me giving you the key to my heart. I’m going to try, Ian. I’m going to try to knock down these walls I have for good. But, just in case, I want you to have this. I want you to always remember that, no matter what I say or do, I love you. And, if and when the day comes when I try to shut you out, I want you to use this. I want you to unlock those doors and remind me how lucky I am to have you. Because I am, Ian. I’m the luckiest woman in the world. Because you’re mine.”

  He takes the key from my hand, looking at the words engraved in the metal. “I love it, Lexi. It’s perfect.”

  “You’re perfect,” I say, my eyes dropping to my lap as I immediately cringe. “Oh, God, that was even cornier than the key.”

  He places his hand beneath my chin, lifting my face to meet his. “Lucky for you, I love corny. Almost as much as I love you.”

  His lips find mine, sealing his words with a soft kiss.

  It might be the end of our conversation.

  But this kiss…this kiss is only the beginning.

  Of the rest of our lives.

  Epilogue

  TAG

  Five Months Later

  I grab my bat, hitting it against the heel of my cleat as I step out of the dugout. There’s nothing like the thrill of the first game of the season. Especially when it’s on your home field.

  I raise my hand as I step out onto the field, grinning widely as the cheering grows louder. I take off my helmet, waving it over my head to let my fans know I am grateful for their support.

  I never could have imagined this.

  After Lexi and I returned to Seattle, I expected to have to run damage control with Ray. But we found quite the opposite. People loved Lexi’s letter to me. By the time we got back to the city, everyone was already talking. She’d won them over with her honesty and her candor. And they graciously accepted her with open arms.

  We’ve spent the last few months bouncing back and forth between Maple Lake and Seattle. Seattle is a necessity for my career, but it’s no longer home. Home is a quiet lake town with a gorgeous girl and a run-down house. And I can’t wait to get back there again.

  I walk toward the plate, stopping short to take a few practice swings. When I’m confident I’m ready, I step into the batter’s box. A loud cheer erupts as I look down to position my feet, and I look up to see Lexi’s face on the Jumbotron. She smiles at me, giving me a tiny wave and blowing me a kiss, causing the crowd to go crazy.

  I look at her, up there in the stands. And I can’t believe how lucky I am. I came so close to losing her forever. And, now, here she is, watching me as I step up to the plate for the first time this year.

  My two worlds have collided, and from the sounds of the crowd and the look on Lexi’s face, they seem to have come together perfectly.

  I catch the kiss with my hand before blowing one back. It’s corny as hell, but a collective sigh goes up from all the women in the stands, and the men whistle. People seem to love Lexi and me. We’ve become baseball’s golden couple.

  It’s a million times better than being the beloved playboy, I tell you.

  Lexi beams down at me, her left hand reaching up to catch the kiss and pressing it to her cheek.

  A soft flutter fills my chest at the sight of her empty hand.

  If all goes according to plan, there will be a shiny new diamond adorning that fourth finger tomorrow morning.

  Here’s to hoping she says yes.

  THE END

  Also by Megan Green

  The Wounded Love Series

  Safe Distance
>
  Soldier’s Heart

  Solid Ground

  Acknowledgments

  As always, thanks goes first to my amazing husband, Adam. Without his never-ending love and support, I would never be able to do what I do. I love you more than words, babe.

  To my family and friends, thank you for always believing in me. Thanks for always understanding when I have to hole up in my writing cave and finish a manuscript. Thank you for always being there, no matter what life throws our way.

  To my lovely editor, Jovana, thank you for taking my disasters and helping polish them into something worth reading. You’re absolutely amazing and I’m so glad I’ve found you.

  To Julie Deaton: world’s best proofreader. Thank you for taking such time and care with my work. You really help make it shine.

  To the fantastically talented Megan Gunter at Mischievous Designs, thank you for making this cover what it is. You perfectly captured Ian and Lexi and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

  To Alexandria with AB formatting, thank you for making the inside of this book as gorgeous as the outside. I love you.

  Nichole – you’ve stood by my side throughout this whole journey, and I couldn’t think of a better person to have in my corner. I know I give you shit, but you’re truly one of the best people I’ve ever met. Thank you for just being you.

  To my minxes – thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t thank all of you enough for the hours you’ve spent mentoring and supporting me. You are my safe place, the place I go when I’m struggling and know nobody will understand me better than you. Thank you for being the best ladies in the business!

  And finally, thank you to my readers. Thank you for sticking by me while I’ve been figuring out this crazy world. I hope you enjoyed reading Ian and Lexi’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.