My Lucky Catch (University Park #6) (22 page)

“I’m glad we have these passes.” Trinity handed me my badge, and I slipped it over my neck.

“I know.” I pulled into the main lot and rolled down the window when a guy flagged me. “We’re with the media.” I flashed him my PHU badge.

“Straight ahead and to the left. You’ll see some designated parking spots.”

“Okay, thanks.” I rolled up my window and drove past the rows and rows of cars. “Wow. It’s really packed.”

“It sure is.”

We got out of the car, grabbed my equipment, and headed in through a side gate. “We’re with the media.” I showed the guard my badge, and Trinity did the same.

He studied our pass for a quick second, and then said, “Enjoy the game.”

“What’s left of it,” I teased as we rushed to the area marked,
media
. The crowd cheered, and I glanced at the scoreboard. It was the bottom of the sixth with a minute and thirty-five seconds left on the clock. PHU was up by two points.

“I told you that Luke’s an assistant athletic trainer, right?”

“Yes.” She shook her head, smiling. “You did.”

I looked around for Luke near the foul line, shielding my eyes from the setting sun. I spotted him just a few feet away. He had on a purple PHU shirt and tan pants. Long brown curls peeked from underneath his ball cap, and I was glad the coach hadn’t asked him to cut it. He told me in baseball they are more lax as long as it didn’t look unprofessional.

“Hey, sorry we’re late. Bridezilla didn’t know when to stop.”

Luke busted out laughing. “I warned you when you said you were going to start doing weddings.”

“I know.” I rolled my eyes, peeved that he was right. “Oh, this is Trinity, my intern-slash-assistant.” I turned to my left, introducing her.

“Nice to meet you.” Luke shook her hand.

“Same here.” She shot him a timid smile.

“Who do I need to talk to?” I looked around for whoever was in charge.

“Oh, yeah.” Luke stalled. “There she is.” Luke pointed to a tall girl wearing a white PHU shirt. “Her name is Cinnamon. She’ll tell when to go on to the field and what photos she wants.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll meet up with you after the game.” Luke gave me a quick kiss on the lips and then trotted off to the dugout.

I turned to Trinity. “Come on, let’s go talk to her.”

We snaked through the people in the foul area and introduced ourselves. Cinnamon informed us when to go on the field and what photos the school wanted. I thought it was odd because there were several people there with professional cameras, like me. They could’ve taken the photos, but since Coach Summers insisted, and they were paying me, I figured what the heck.

Trinity and I watched the game, waiting for our cue to enter the field. “By the way, Luke’s really cute.”

I giggled, unable to hold in my girlish remark. “Isn’t he?”

“That’s one lucky catch.” She cocked a brow at me.

“He sure is.” I appraised my main squeeze from afar.

My only squeeze.

“Do you think he can introduce me to number seventeen?”

My head spun in her direction. “You want to meet Silver? The pitcher?”

“Oh, yeah.” Her voice rose, and her head nodded slowly as she watched him intently. “I heard he transferred this past year from another school.”

“Tulsa, I think,” I said, pressing a finger to my lips. “But you’d have to ask Luke.”

“Tulsa, Los Angeles, New York,” she waved a dismissive hand, “doesn’t matter to me. The guy is steaming hot.”

I laughed. “Okay. I’ll tell him.” I quickly tapped out a text and sent it to him.

Me: Trinity wants to meet Silver.

A minute later my phone chimed.

Luke: I’ll see what I can arrange.

“Here’s what he said.” I showed her my screen.

“Oh. My. God.” She covered her lips with her fists. After a few seconds, she lowered her arms. Pulling on the hem of her PHU t-shirt she said, “I should’ve worn something else.”

“Relax. He didn’t say today.”

“Okay.” She released a heavy breath. “Just make sure you give me a warning so I can fix myself up.” Her fingers worked frantically to redo her ponytail.

“Don’t worry, I will.” I laughed, recalling how self-conscious I used to be before going on a manhunt. Funny how age and love can change a person.

As soon as the song for the seventh inning stretch came on, Trinity and I dashed on to the field. A team of guys worked quickly to set up a microphone near the pitching mound. Several photographers, including myself surrounded the area. The athletic director for PHU, Ralph Kenney, made his way to the field with an older gentleman. His white hair and weathered skin indicated he had to be over sixty.

Kenny did a speech, inducting the former alum to PHU’s Hall of Fame. I took the photos that Cinnamon asked for as the crowd clapped for the man. Trinity did great, helping me with my equipment and eyeing different angles for the best shots. The hall of famer thanked everyone, and I took my last shots. The media began to clear the field, and we followed behind them.

“That was neat,” Trinity said, holding out her hand to take my camera.

“Yeah, it was.” Without thinking, I handed it to her. She placed the protective cover over the lens and hung it on her shoulder. “Thanks.”

“Delaney Dukakis, please remain on the field,” the announcer said, and I stopped in my tracks. “We have a special message for you.”

“Did the announcer just say my name?” I turned to Trinity.

With a laugh she said, “I think so.”

I turned around and saw Luke on the pitching mound. My heart went into overdrive, and I had a strong feeling what was about to happen. A boyish grin formed on his face, and he motioned with his head for me to come to him. With one foot in front of the other, I managed to move. Bubbles formed inside of me, and it felt like I was walking on air.

“Hey.” I breathed out a nervous breath, racking my fingers through my hair. I’m sure I looked exhausted and tired after doing two back-to-back shoots, three if I included the one I just did.

“Hey, baby.” His grin turned into a huge smile.

“Oh, my God.” I scanned the stadium. There were tons of people looking at us. I caught a glance of the big screen and saw my parents and Luke’s. My entire body trembled in excitement. “Is this really happening?”

“Do you want it to happen?” He reached for my left hand.

A whimper fell from my mouth, and my heart jumped into my throat. “Yes.”

“Are you ready for it to happen?” He reached in his back pocket, but paused, eyeing me.

“Yes, Luke.” My entire body trembled with excitement.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, unable to form words. Pressing my lips together, I did my best to hold it together. My eyes stung, and at any minute, I knew I’d cry. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Luke was about to propose to me in front of thousands of people! And I thought Lexi had it bad when Raven proposed to her in the cafeteria with hundreds of students there.

Luke pulled his arm around, revealing a baseball. I stared at it for a moment, totally confused. Then he lowered to one knee and turned the ball around, positioning it in front of me.

“Oh. My. God.” I gasped, covering my little sobs. This was really happening!

Written in big purple letters were the words:

Will You Marry Me?

Tears streamed down my face, but I managed to keep my eyes focused on him.

“Well? Will you do me the honor, Delaney Dukakis, and be my lucky catch?” He opened the ball, revealing a sparking diamond ring.

My heart thundered in my ears, and a nest of butterflies released inside of me. Without a doubt, I knew what I wanted. “Yes, as long as you will be mine.”

A huge smile formed across his face. He rose up, wrapped his arms around me, and picked me up. Our lips joined for what seemed liked eternity, even though it was probably only for a few seconds. With my knees bent and my feet suspended in the air, I held on to him tightly, not wanting him to ever let go.

“So, you’ll be my wife?”

“Most definitely.” I took off his PHU baseball cap and slipped it on my head. The crowd went crazy as he spun me around. Flashes went off, and I caught a quick glance at Trinity, snapping pics of us with my camera. Luke had this planned all along.

Chapter 15

Luke

I turned off the engine and glanced at Delaney. I still couldn’t believe she was going to be my wife. I had to be the luckiest guy. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” She flipped the cover to the vanity mirror. “I don’t have on too much makeup, do I?”

“Trying to save yourself from a demeaning comment from my mom?”

She laughed. “I’m not sure I can keep her from making those, but I can at least do my part.”

I cupped her cheek with one hand. “Don’t worry about pleasing her. I’ve tried for most of my life, and it’s nearly impossible.”

“There’s only one person I aim to please.”

“Good.” Lowering my lips to hers, I placed a soft kiss on her full lips.

“Mmmm. You taste so good.” Her hands slid up my arms, and I pulled her closer.

“Yeah? Well, I know something else that tastes even better.”

“I do, too.” Her hands dropped to my pants. She unbuttoned them and just as her hand started to travel down my boxer shorts, her fingers stopped. “Oh, shit. Veronica and Martin are here.”

My head turned to see their car parked in front of my parents’ house. I scooted back in my seat. “We can always sneak off later to my old room.” I cocked a brow at her as I buttoned my pants.

“I can’t wait.” She winked. “Let’s get this over with.” With a heavy sigh, she opened the car door.

“Did you warn them about my mom?”

“Oh, yeah.” She stressed the words. “Hey, guys.” She waved to her parents, and I followed her to meet them.

“Good to see you, Martin.” I shook his hand. “Veronica, you look beautiful as always.” She leaned forward and gave me a hug.

“Thanks, Luke. You’re such a sweetie.” Turning back to their car, she said, “Oh, I almost forgot the dessert.”

“I’ll get it,” Martin offered, tracking back to the car.

“Your mom told me not to bring anything, but I insisted.” Martin handed her the covered pie, and we walked to the front door.

“Let me guess, your famous chocolate pie?”

With a nod, she said, “You know it.”

“I can’t wait to try it.” Luke said, opening the front door. “Mom, Dad, we’re here with the Dukakis.’”

Mom quickly met us in the entry. “Hello.” She extended a hand. “So glad you agreed to have dinner with us.”

Dad walked up behind Mom. “Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you for inviting us.” Delaney’s parents exchanged handshakes with mine.

“Please come in.” Mom showed them to the living room, and Delaney and I followed behind.

Delaney fidgeted with a band around her wrist, and I knew she was nervous. She’d been to my house with Lexi several times, and a few times with me, once we made our relationship public. Each time, my mom had always said something rude or uncalled for, and that made Delaney feel unwelcomed. I couldn’t blame her for wanting to get this dinner over with because I was sort of dreading it, too. I would’ve rather gone out to dinner with my dad and Delaney’s parents and left my mom at home, but that wasn’t happening, so we were stuck for the next two hours with her.

“Please have a seat. Dinner will be served in a few minutes.” Mom motioned for them to sit on the couch. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Thank you, but I’ll wait for dinner.” Veronica turned to Martin.

“Yeah, I’m good, too,” Martin said.

“Okay.” Mom waved her hand in the air, and I turned around to see a guy wearing an apron around his waist. She had hired someone to serve us. I shook my head. The woman never gave up trying to impress people, even though I’m sure the Dukakis’ weren’t worried about it. They were more down to earth than my high society family.

Mom sat perched on her chair, facing Delaney’s parents. “Can you believe these two?” She cast a quick glance at us. “They are too young to get married.”

I did a double take.

Did she really say that?
I could’ve throat punched my mom.

Dad’s shoulders slumped, and he stared at the floor. Veronica and Martin looked at each other for a brief second. A slight laugh fell from Veronica’s mouth. “I know. They have plenty of time.” She waved off my mom’s rude remark. “But when two people are in love, what are you going to do?”

“True.” Dad nodded, and so did Martin. “At least they graduated from college.”

“I guess.” Mom cracked a fake smile. “Unless, Delaney’s pregnant.” The room turned eerily quiet. So quiet that even I looked at Delaney.

“What?” Delaney looked at me and then at my mom. “I can’t believe you . . . no. No, I’m
not
pregnant.”

“Whew.” Mom released a breath and reclined in her chair. “Don’t need another grandbaby right now. Already have four.”

Dad’s head whipped in her direction. His jaw tensed, and I swore I heard him grind his teeth.