Spotlight (The Holland Brothers Book 4)

“I’m nervous.” My legs bounce rapidly, and I take a deep breath.

“You’re making me nervous,” Sabrina notes beside me as she takes another handful of popcorn.

“He’s got this,” Brogan says on the other side of me.

I nod, letting his words soothe me. The whole crew is here. All Flynn’s brothers and their partners. Hendrick and Jane, who I immediately recognized as a former actress from one of my favorite childhood TV shows, Knox and Avery, who look like complete opposites, her in pink and all smiles and him in black with a scowl (except when he looks at her), London came with Brogan, and of course Sabrina with Archer. And me. Flynn doesn’t know I’m here. It was a last-minute thing, and I wanted to surprise him.

Flynn nods at JT and then stands tall, winds up, and throws another pitch. I hold my breath in those short seconds before the umpire yells, “Striiiike!”

“Yes,” I say quietly, clenching one hand into a fist. The entire row of brothers stands to give Flynn a standing ovation as he jogs off the field.

It’s been a tense game. Every inning feels long. Flynn is pitching well. He’s only let three batters on base through eight innings. Despite that, the Twins are up 1-0.

“All right. They need to make something happen here,” Knox says. He’s the last one standing, watching Flynn all the way into the dugout.

I can see the pride in his face. All the brothers wear their support for him proudly, but none more than Knox.

After he accepts high fives and butt pats from his teammates and coaches, Flynn takes a seat to wait through the bottom of the inning.

JT steps up to the plate first. He’s been hot on the bat tonight. He was robbed of a home run in the fourth inning when an outfielder made a phenomenal catch, jumping higher than anyone should be able and snatching it before it went out of the park.

He takes a big swing on the first pitch and sends a line drive down the third base line. He takes off for first as the crowd cheers loudly. Everyone is amped up. It’s surreal to see this stadium so alive. True, I haven’t been to a lot of games over the years, but enough that I can say this season the fans are showing up. I’d bet anything that Flynn is the catalyst for that.

JT is safe at first. The next batter walks out to heavy rock music.

“Let’s go, G-Cruise.” Two guys in front of us stand and yell down to the field. One of them is wearing a Holland jersey and it makes my lips pull into a smile.

Gunnar Cruise is broad and muscular. His biceps fill out the sleeves of his jersey in a way that looks like he might Hulk out at any moment. He digs in his back foot as he moves into position at the plate.

Again, the first pitch is magic. Gunnar sends the ball soaring out to center field.

Everyone stands to see if it’s going to go. My pulse races. The second the ball clears the fence, the stadium roars. The Mustangs have taken the first lead of the night.

I glance back at Flynn amidst the chaos. His body language is relaxed. He leans back against the bench and his head falls back slightly, but he’s grinning. I bet he’s tired. Eight innings, throwing harder than he has all season, according to the announcement on the jumbotron. The coach could pull him and let someone else finish out the game, but I know Flynn wouldn’t want that. Not with the game this close. It’s going to be up to him to hold off the Twins and win the game.

The next batter hits a grounder and is thrown out, then Bo hits a pop-up that is caught by the short stop. The inning ends with a strikeout.

Again, I look to Flynn. He stands quickly. His expression is all business as he grabs his glove. The coach moves to him, and they have a short exchange. Flynn nods and then steps out of the dugout.

I sit back in my seat and immediately feel like I want to throw up. Sabrina pats my leg and holds back an amused smirk.

“You look more nervous than he does,” she says.

“That’s his superpower, but sadly not mine.” It’s true. He’s so effortlessly chill and I like the illusion of control.

She gives me her hand and I take it and squeeze out some of my anxiety.

“Okay. Ouch. Ouch.”

“Sorry.” I loosen my grip and a nervous laugh escapes. “I want this for him so badly.”

“He’s got this,” Brogan says again, putting an arm around me and shaking my shoulders lightly.

I nod. “You’re right. He’s unstoppable.”

“Exactly.” Brogan gives me one last shake before releasing me.

“The best Holland brother,” I say and glance sideways to see his reaction.

“All right. Let’s not get carried away,” Brogan mutters with a mock frown.

“If he pulls this off, then I think he can claim that title at least for tonight,” Knox says.

The first batter for the Twins steps up to the plate. Flynn goes through his usual routine, taking his time and looking confident but at ease on the mound. I try to channel that same energy.

He can do this. He’s had an incredible night. Three more outs.

He splits the first two pitches. One ball, one strike. On the third pitch, the batter foul over the third base line. The next pitch is high and inside. The crowd lets out a collective “oooo” as the batter jumps back to avoid being hit. And the next is high.

“Come on, Baby Holland. Show ’em what’ve you got,” Brogan mutters so quietly I barely catch the words.

Flynn takes a little longer setting up for the next pitch, shaking off signals from JT until he finally nods. The pitch looks better, but the umpire rules it as a ball and the batter walks to first base.

I know that inconsistency has been an issue for Flynn, and probably most pitchers. It’s why the Twins let him go. No matter how calm he might be out there, he has to feel the pressure to show them they were wrong and not let the last couple pitches determine the rest of the game.

JT runs out to the mound. Flynn keeps his head down as his catcher places the ball in his glove and says something. It’s a short exchange, but when Flynn lifts his chin, I can see the change in his expression. The nerves finally fall away. Brogan’s right. Flynn has this under control.

The next batter steps up to the plate looking cocky and smug. My heart races as Flynn gets set. I suck in a breath as he fires the first pitch.

The umpire raises his hand in dramatic fashion as he makes the sign and says, “Striiiiike!”

Air leaves my lungs in a whoosh.

By the time Flynn strikes him out, the batter looks a whole lot less cocky. I’m so happy, I want to run out onto the field, jump into his arms, and kiss the crap out of him.

The momentum has shifted, and the next two batters find the same fate.

The stadium goes wild as the last strike is called. The guys in front of us are jumping around and hugging.

“Ahh!” I bounce on my toes and throw my hands over my head, which makes Sabrina laugh.

We’re among the last of the fans to trickle out of the stadium. Instead of waiting for Flynn in the family area, we decide to wait for him in the parking lot. Brogan puts the tailgate down, and he and London, Archer, and Sabrina all take a seat. Hendrick got a call from the bar, so he and Jane are standing a few feet away. Which leaves me standing with Avery and Knox.

“Did you text him to tell him you were here?” Avery asks.

“No.” I shake my head, then have a moment of panic. “Should I have?”

Her smile is instant, and she reaches out and squeezes my arm lightly. “He’s going to be so excited. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things.”

“Really?” It takes me by surprise. I mean, sure I know Archer and Brogan pretty well, but I hadn’t really considered that Flynn talked about me.

“Really. He—” She starts to say more, but we’re interrupted by Brogan’s loud, booming voice as he yells Flynn’s name across the parking lot.

I whip around in time to see him walking toward us. Suddenly I don’t know what to do or where to stand. I feel exposed and somehow nervous and excited all at once. Maybe he wanted to spend the evening with his family and now I’m interrupting. Admittedly, it doesn’t make sense even as I think it, but I still stress all the way until he’s right in front of me. He cuts through straight to me.

His brothers call out to him, wishing him a good game and pumping him up. He doesn’t look away from me, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he does.

“How are you here?” He grins, scanning me from head to toe.

“Ruby needed a writing break, so she and Greer are having a slumber party, and I didn’t want to miss your game.”

I wait for him to say something else in reply. Instead, he continues to stare at me. Then the next thing I know he has one arm wrapped around my waist and he’s dipping me and bringing his mouth to mine while everyone around us hoots and yells in delight.

I kiss him right back, smiling as I do. His brothers catcall us, and I feel Flynn’s mouth curve into a smile. He turns his hat around so he can deepen the kiss. I’m so proud of him and I feel so lucky that he’s mine. I don’t care who watches us make out in the parking lot.

When he finally pulls me back to standing. He’s beaming and I’m pretty sure I’m blushing.

“I have you the rest of the night?” His excitement is almost more visible than after they won. And he looks damn good in a backward hat.

“I’m all yours, Hotshot.”

We pile into vehicles and head to the guys’ favorite bar. Once we’re there, we pull together a couple of tables and order drinks. I check my phone and open a text from Ruby. She and Greer are cheesing at the camera, both wearing big tiaras and bright blue eyeshadow.

Flynn leans over to look at the image as I heart it.

“I miss her,” he says, tone sincere with a hint of surprise like maybe it just occurred to him.

“She misses you too.”

That makes him smile.

“Why don’t you stay over tonight, and you can see her in the morning?”

Despite Greer’s blasé reaction to our first sleepover, he still stays at his place more often than mine. A lot of nights his games go way past Greer’s bedtime, or he needs to be at the stadium early in the morning, so it’s easier for him to stay at his place since it’s closer.

“Yeah. I’d love that. I hate staying at my place now. It’s just me and Dick.”

I laugh softly. “What about all your other plant babies?”

“Dick is still my favorite and even he doesn’t compare to you and Greer.”

“That’s sweet, I think.” Another laugh leaves my lips.

He grins, brown eyes twinkling with amusement.

“You were really great tonight,” I say.

After we came up for air, his brothers crowded around to congratulate and hug him. It was great to see them interact, but he and I haven’t had a chance to talk about the game yet.noveldrama

“Thanks. It was a good game. JT and Gunnar really came through.” He grins a little wider.

“So did you.”

“I should have known you were there. I always play better when you’re around.”

“I don’t think I should take credit for that, but I will anyway. I love watching you pitch. You have this incredible confidence and ease about you up there. It’s sexy.”

“Yeah?” His grin hitches higher on one side. “You think I’m sexy?”

“Was that not clear?” I arch a brow at him.

He chuckles softly. “Nah, totally knew it, just wanted to hear you say it again.”

I can’t help but join in laughing with him.

“Was it weird playing against your old team?”

“No,” he says immediately. “I thought it would be, but no.”

I take that in. I can’t imagine moving from team to team like he’s done. It must be hard.

“I’m still really happy to pull out a win against them though.” He gets a mischievous grin.

“You made them rue the day, for sure.”

He chuckles, nodding his head.

“Speaking of victories, I have one more to pull off tonight,” Flynn says. “I’ll be right back.”

He kisses me and then winks as he hurries after his brothers.

I watch him go. He stands between Knox and Brogan, putting his arms around their shoulders playfully. Seeing him with his brothers, so happy and carefree, makes me want to be a part of his life. Not just right now, but all the time. When Flynn is around, he makes everything feel simpler and better. He does that not only for me, but for his brothers too. They all smile more when he’s around. He has this way of acknowledging the bad but not lingering in it.

“All right. Time to spill.” London’s voice pulls my attention to the girls at the table.

They’re all staring at me.

I smile hesitantly. “Me?”

“Yeah, you.” Avery’s sweet-looking smile is aimed right at me. “We’re all dying to hear about you and Flynn.”

I open my mouth and look around to each of the girls, unsure what to say. I finally settle on, “What do you want to know?”

“What’s he like as a boyfriend?” London asks.

“Have you said ‘I love you?’ Because the way he looks at you… he’s one hundred percent in love.” Avery places both elbows on the table and leans in.

“You should see him with Greer,” Sabrina adds. “So cute.”

“Is he good in bed?” Jane asks.

All of us look at her.

“What?” she asks innocently. “We’re all thinking it.”

She glances at the others for confirmation, but they just laugh.

“He’s great. We’re taking it slow. And he is both good with Greer and good in bed.” I laugh. “Those are weird thoughts to put together.”

“I knew it. Must run in the family,” Jane says.

“I heard about what he did for your daughter—showing up in his baseball garb to prove that bully wrong,” Avery says. “Classic Flynn. He’s always had such a good heart.”

“I wish I could have seen that little girl’s face.” Sabrina looks vicious. She’s great with Greer and her kids at the studio, but she does not tolerate bullying.

“It was pretty adorable,” I admit.

“Are you in love with him?” London asks.

Again, all eyes are on me, and I feel my face flush.

“It is none of our business.” Avery nudges London.

“She absolutely is,” Sabrina says. She knows me too well.

“It is none of our business,” Avery says again, but she still looks at me expectantly.

I do a quick glance around the table, meeting each of their eyes. I know how much Flynn means to them. They want to know that he’s with someone who cares about him. I get that. So I nod. I am a thousand percent in love with him.

They squeal in unison.