Cameras caught it all, the two of them smiling at each other. She knew it was all for show.
“I need a break for a second, guys,” Tucker said. “Mr. Ross, can I have a minute?”
“Sure.”
Aubry ducked behind the lockers as Tucker pulled her dad away from the cameras.
The two of them ended up right where she was hiding.
“You can trade me,” Tucker said.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m in love with Aubry, and I don’t intend to stop seeing her. So send me back down to Triple-A ball or trade me. Whatever you want to do.”
Aubry’s heart squeezed.
He loved her. Tears filled her eyes.
He loved her. And he’d just thrown down the gauntlet to her father. Right there, in the locker room, with all those reporters standing five feet away.
Wow.
“Oh,” her father said. “That. Well, I don’t intend to do either.”
Tucker shrugged. “Whatever. Just know that you can threaten me with anything you want to, but it’s not going to stop me from loving your daughter.”
Tucker started to walk away, then saw her leaning against the lockers.
Her dad saw her as well. “I’ll let you two talk.”
Her father walked away and she stepped out from between the lockers. She didn’t want to ruin this moment for him, so she smiled and hugged him. “Congratulations on the no-hitter, Tucker. I am so happy for you.”
He pulled back, his expression a mix of worry and utter elation. “You saw the game?”
She nodded. “I had to work late, but I got here. I saw some of it before I got here on the TV in the hospital lounge. As soon as I saw what was happening I raced over. I needed to be at the stadium to see it. For you.”
Someone called his name. He looked back and nodded, then turned back to her. “I’ve gotta do this.”
“I know.”
He grasped her hand. “I still really want to talk to you, Aubry.”
“I heard what you said to my father.”
“I meant it. And I’m sorry. Those words don’t seem adequate.”
She let go of his hand. “We’ll talk when you’re done here. Come over to my place.”
He looked over at his grinning teammates, at the field of reporters. “This might take a while.”
She laughed. “I’m so keyed up I won’t sleep anyway. Call me when you’re done.”
“Okay.”
With a long, lingering look at her, he turned, wandered into the throng and disappeared.
Her father came over.
“Aubry.”
She was still so angry with him, but he was her father, so she’d stand and listen.
“I’ve gotten an earful from your mother, and obviously you heard what Tucker said.”
“I did.”
“I’m so very sorry. Sometimes I let my concern for you outweigh my good sense. And I interfered in your life when I shouldn’t have.”
“You hurt me, Dad. And you hurt Tucker, too.”
“I know. I love you, Aubry. It would kill me to lose you. Please tell me you’ll forgive me.”
She saw the pain in his eyes, and knew without a doubt his apology was sincere.
“I love you, too, Dad. But you have to start trusting in me. My career is important to me. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize it.”
“I realize that now. I also know you have a fine young man there, who’s willing to change his career to be with you. That says a lot about his character.”
She looked over to where Tucker was answering questions from the press. “Yes. And you owe him an apology as well.”
“He’ll get one from me, but not tonight. Tonight is his night and I intend to give him space to enjoy it. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
“You do that.”
Her father stepped forward and grasped her hand in his. “From the time you were a baby I felt it was my responsibility to look out for you, to make sure you stayed on the right path. I guess I need to let you go now.”
He looked so sad it broke her heart. “You never have to let me go, Daddy. You just have to give me the freedom to let me grow.”
He pulled her close and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around him, knowing that the two of them were going to be fine.
“Now you go talk to the reporters and revel in your superstar pitcher,” she said. “A pitcher you were almost stupid enough to let go.”
Her father cocked his head to the side. “I can’t believe you called me stupid.”
“If the stupid hat fits . . .” she said with a smile.
Her dad smiled. “Okay, you’re right. I own the stupid hat and I’ll wear it with all the shame I deserve.”
She laughed. “I’ll talk to you later, Dad.”
She headed out to her car, checking her text messages on the way. Several from her fellow residents all cheering Tucker’s win.
One from Katie that just said, Omgomgomg. A no-hitter! O.M.G. Hope you celebrate appropriately with your stud tonight.
She smiled and shook her head, and hoped they’d get to the point where they could celebrate—appropriately.
She got in her car and headed home.
THAT HAD BEEN EXHAUSTING. EXHILARATING BUT also exhausting. Fortunately he’d worn more champagne than he’d had to drink, celebrating with Grant and Katrina and Leo and Anya, who’d all been thrilled to be at the ballpark for the no-hitter.