Unwritten (30 page)

“Be careful, sweets. I warned you earlier, I might just nip on that delectable tongue of yours.”

Rich agreed and untied the scarf. He threw it in the backseat before we all exited the car and made our way to the entrance. I still hadn’t forgotten about Rich’s “secret” conversation with my father, nearly a week earlier.

Every time he had taken me out this week, I’d prepared myself for his proposal. I was starting to think it wasn’t actually going to happen, at least, not any time soon. In fact, I knew it wasn’t going to happen here of all places. Rich knew about my baseball experience with Jay and I was a little confused as to why he would choose this as a date for the short time we were home.

He always tried to convince me to watch a Tigers game with him when they were on local TV playing the Nationals, but I didn’t want him getting any wild, idiotic ideas so I always graciously declined. I didn’t want Rich to sense my disappointment though, because it appeared as if he’d put a lot of thought into our little “family” outing.

Kaitlyn, however, was in love with the entire adventure. The only thing about this afternoon that was putting a smile on my face was Kaitlyn’s expression when Rich stopped to buy her a foam finger, hot dog, a pop, nachos, popcorn and cotton candy.

“I really hope that isn’t all for her,” Cassidy asked Rich, hesitantly.

“Nope, the nachos and popcorn are for us to share … and, maybe the cotton candy, but something tells me she won’t be so willing to share that one,” he chuckled, as we all looked toward Kaitlyn who already had her tiny fist in the plastic bag.

Cassidy grabbed the tray of food as Rich once again hoisted Kaitlyn onto his shoulders. She actually did share a bit of her airy confection as her tiny fingers dipped down to Rich’s mouth.

“He’s really great with her. I’ll admit, I didn’t think Davis had that ‘daddy factor,’ but he does, and it’s pretty damn sexy,” Cassidy said, as she gently punched my side.

“Yes … he is definitely pretty damn sexy. I think my ovaries are about to explode just watching him interact with her. He was the same way with his niece and nephew earlier this week.”

“You are such a dork. I can’t believe you just said that … I mean, really, who says that?” Cassidy remarked, shaking her head in disbelief.

We made our way to our seats, which of course, were amazing – thanks to Rich.

I actually found myself having a good time when I heard cheers erupting from the audience. It was between innings so it wasn’t until I looked over to the Jumbotron that I realized the applause was for the kissing cam. I watched as several couples locked lips when suddenly I saw Rich’s deep blue eyes and Hollywood smile staring at me from the big screen.

The crowd erupted once again and I knew I would only appease them if I leaned into him for a juicy kiss. I decided, I would give them all a show, too.

I puckered my lips and tilted my head, leaning into Rich, I didn’t have to go very far before feeling his wet, velvety lips crash into mine. He grabbed the back of my head and pulled me in closer, while using his tongue to part my seam. I nibbled on the tip of his tongue as it gained entrance into my mouth.

“Get a room!” I heard someone shout from a few rows behind us.

“Um, you guys! You do realize there is a small child sitting next to you watching, right?” This time it was the familiar voice of my best friend trying to break our lips apart.

I chuckled against Rich’s mouth as he began pulling away leaving a trail of light kisses on my mouth, nose and forehead, before disengaging completely.

I looked up and saw my feverish complexion engulf the screen as the entire crowd went wild.

“We’re celebs, sweets!” Rich exclaimed.

All I could do was break down in a fit of laughter as the kissing cam moved on to its next victim. Although in that moment, I didn’t feel like much of a victim.

We finished all of the ballpark food that Rich bought at the concession stand before the game started and I felt my belly begin to rumble.

“Hey, baby, I know you want another Bud Light, right?” I asked with the sexiest, pouty face I could muster.

Rich laughed at me as he answered, “Yeah, I could use another one, but something tells me you want me to walk all the way to the concession stand instead of asking that beer vendor only five feet away from us?”

“Pretty, please. I’ll make it up to you later, I promise,” I said in my most seductive tone.

He quickly hopped to his feet, “Oh, you bet you will. What can I get you, sweets?”

“Two hot dogs with light mustard and lots of pickles, please,” I replied.

At that, he furrowed his brows, “I didn’t think you liked pickles. Remember you get the chili poppers and I get the pickles? What are you – pregnant?” Rich said, jokingly.

“Um, no, definitely not pregnant – I’m always careful,” I reminded him. “Sorry, they just sound delicious, that’s all. Now go get me my dogs.”

As Rich walked away, I had to take a moment to think about the question he had just posed.
Pregnant? Could I be? No, I’ve been on the pill longer than I can remember. Definitely not pregnant – I just needed to file that thought away for another day.

The seventh-inning stretch was upon us, and I looked over to see Rich staring at me intently.

“What’s going on, baby? Looks like you’re thinking about something mighty hard over there,” I commented.

He cleared his throat before speaking … “I want baseball games to leave a happy memory for you, Brooke. I wish I could erase the past from your memory, but we both know that’s not possible. Our past made us who we are today. … And, I happen to love us … together. We may not be able to rewrite our history, but our future is certainly still unwritten. I want us to be Tigers fans for life, together. But, always remember this – win or lose … I will always love you,” Rich confessed, with emotion laced in his voice.

The next thing I knew, Rich dropped to one knee on the hard cement in front of our third baseline seats as everyone around us was singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” He removed a Tiffany-blue, ring box from the pocket of his ’84 World Series, throwback sweatshirt and looked straight into my eyes. I swear I could see straight into his heart at that very moment … His teal eyes which seemed to match the color of the box in his hands had never looked so clear – or so in love. He opened the box and inside I saw the most beautiful and elegant marquise-cut, diamond ring with a band of seed diamonds encircling the center stone.

“Brooke Christine Anderson, please say that you’ll share my byline and write our future with me. Say you’ll be my wife. Will you marry me?”

In that moment, my world stopped. Just like Rich had so beautifully said … “Our past made us who we are today. …” I flashbacked nearly twelve years to the moment that I ran smack dab into the most beautiful man. … To the moment he brushed against me while walking to the campus’ recreation center on that chilly October evening. … To the moment, in a mirror image, I ran smack dab into his firm chest once again. … And, lastly, to him showering me with roses and silly trinkets on Valentine’s Day.

“Are you going to leave me hangin’ here, sweets? Or, are you going to make me the happiest man alive right now? I’d rather not have to ask you twice, but I will if I have to …” he added with a smirk.

“Yes! Of course, I’ll write my future with you, Rich. We’ll write our future, together. Yes, I will be your wife!”

With that said, Rich popped back up from his kneeling position and slipped the ring on my left hand. “I hope you like it, Brooke. I had a little help from Cassidy. She let me know about the rings you always drooled over while you two window-shopped at Tiffany’s.”

“Seriously, Rich? It’s amazing. I love that it’s not huge. It’s elegant and understated and I couldn’t have picked out a more perfect ring for myself. Oh wait, I guess I did pick it out, didn’t I?” I added, as I lightly elbowed him in the side.

Putting his hands on the back of my head, Rich pulled me in for a passionate, yet chaste kiss. After all, we were in the midst of forty thousand other people, who with the exception of a handful of clapping fans around us, seemed to be oblivious to what I thought was the most beautiful proposal of all time. I could tell by the fervent look in Rich’s eyes though, that he intended on making it up to me later.

Just then, we were both bombarded by my two favorite girls. “Eeeeeeeep, you said, ‘yes!’ Can I plan your wedding. Ahhhhhhh, we’re planning your wedding. I can’t wait. You know we’re starting tomorrow, right. You seriously need to extend your vacation at least for a few more days. We have to find your dress!” Cassidy gushed.

“Whoa, chillax, baby dinosaur! He just proposed, we just got engaged. We haven’t even set a date. I don’t need to buy a dress tomorrow. But, yes, of course you can help plan my wedding. I wouldn’t dream of anyone else at my side during this process.”

In that moment, I got a little sad thinking that my mom wouldn’t be with me to find my perfect wedding dress, or hold my hand as the nervous jitters took over on the morning of my wedding. She wouldn’t cry from the front pew as my dad gave her only baby away, or cheer us on as the pastor told Rich that he could kiss his bride. She wouldn’t dance with her son-in-law, or tenderly kiss me on the forehead as Rich and I escaped on our honeymoon.

Rich must have sensed my mood change to brief sadness and he reached out for my hand, making sure to run his thumb over my newly placed diamond.

“Hey, she’ll still be with us,” he whispered in my ear so only I could hear. “Dad, too, they’ll both be watching over us; cheering us on.”

I didn’t know how he did it, but he always sensed when I was thinking about her and he always knew exactly what to say to ease my pain.

“So, did I still surprise you?” he asked, attempting to change the subject.

“Of course, what do you mean?”

“Don’t act all innocent, Brooke. I heard you sneak away when you thought your dad and I had finished our conversation earlier this week. I had originally planned to propose to you during the fireworks, but you ruined that one. I had to come up with this one on the fly – with the help of Cass over there. I knew you would never expect me to propose at a baseball game of all places. Just so you know, though, I would’ve still gotten down on my knee – win or lose.”

I thought it seemed fitting that the Tigers actually lost nine to eight that day to the Yankees. They tried rallying in the ninth inning, but fell a run short. Kaitlyn even turned the pink cap that Rich bought for her inside out, just like he showed her. The crowd came to life in that ninth inning singing, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” They erupted when the band sang the lyrics about “South Detroit.” Being a Michigander, I never did quite understand that part. Where exactly is South Detroit? And, why have I never been there, or seen it on a map?

As we were leaving the stadium, I contemplated the team’s loss. It didn’t matter. Rich was right … he wanted us to be Tigers fans for life and win or lose, he would always love me. And, I would always love him.

“I love you, Rich Michael Davis. Thank you for rewriting my memories of baseball, and for making me the happiest woman alive today,” I told him, as we walked with our hands entwined back to his car.

“Oh, Brooke, you just think you’re happy now. Wait until I get you back to our room … I’ll have you screaming with ecstasy.”

His promise for later excited me so much that I let go of his hand and took off running for the car, leaving him in the dust, or so I thought. Moments later, I felt him grab me around my waist and hoist me over his shoulder, slapping my ass in the process.

“In a hurry, are you, my Future Mrs. Davis?”

“Y …e…s,” I managed to squeak out through my giggles. “Rich, put me down. We look ridiculous.”

“Hold still, Brooke. We both know that I’m much faster on my feet than you, even if you do look adorable, trying to beat me in a race.”

He bolted to the car as his hand began to make its way up the leg of my khaki shorts and onto my ass.

“Oh, only a thong for me today, huh?” Rich likey.”

“Oh. em. gee. You didn’t actually just say that! You are such a dork, baby,” I remarked while rolling my eyes.

After a few short strides, Rich made it to the little red, Chevy Malibu he had rented for our weekend back home. It wasn’t as luxurious as he was used to, but we were in Michigan so it seemed important to support the state’s auto industry.

He opened my door with one hand, while the other remained firmly planted on my right butt cheek. He let go of my ass and my body slowly slid down the entire, firm length of him. He gave me a much too chaste kiss on the lips as we heard Cassidy and Kaitlyn giggling behind us. The two hopped in the back seat as Rich walked around to his side and dropped into the car.