He took Liam’s hand in his. “I don’t know that I have the magic words to dispel your fears, but you likeme. Not how smart I am or how well I play baseball, but me. I channeled so much into baseball to be good at something so people would notice me. But they didn’t see me, just how well I pitched or how many times I got a hit.
“But not you. You pushed me to be more than my slugging percentage or earn run average.”
“Considering I don’t have clue what either of those mean, I’ll agree with you.”
“See what I mean? Whether I play or I don’t, it doesn’t change how you feel. I’ve been searching for someone who would see me like that, and you’ve been right here all along.”
Liam didn’t say anything, but he ran his thumb over the back of Coury’s hand. The seconds felt like minutes.
“I told you already I’ve always had a crush on you, but dating you took it to a different level. Not only were you the same nice guy I always knew, you’re also sweet, thoughtful, and romantic. I want to say yes so badly, but I need to be sure you’ll be happy.”
Coury smiled and any shred of doubt faded. “There are no sure things, Liam, but I can’t imagine being unhappy if I’m with you. You’re worried aboutme, even if it means you don’t get what you want.
“My chances of making it to the majors are tiny. There are only 750 spots. With injuries, about a thousand guys get in at least one game a year. The average career for a position player is six seasons. Ten for pitchers. There are 7,500 players in the minor leagues and every year a thousand more get drafted.” Liam watched him rattle off the numbers with wide eyes. Coury shrugged. “I chose those data samples for my stats project.”
“Why doesn’t it surprise me you picked baseball statistics to study?”
“A certain world’s hottest tutor taught me it’s easier to learn something new if you can relate it to something you already know.” He winked. “One more to drive the point home, less than fifteen percent of all the players who played one inning last year were drafted after the twentieth round.”
“Okay, the odds you’ll make it aren’t super high. But fifteen percent isn’t that bad.”
“No, it’s not. Some really great players were picked after the twentieth round. But you know what odds are even worse than my making the majors? The odds I’ll find anyone as amazing as you to spend my life with.”
Liam blushed. “I’m not that special.”
“As horribly corny as that line was, it’s one hundred percent true. I can do so many other things and be happy if I’m with you. Happier, because I won’t have to hide you or how I feel about you.”
“Coury . . .” When Liam swallowed and looked away, Coury’s heart dropped.
He’d known the odds weren’t good. It hurt more than he thought, but this wasn’t on Liam. He had to do what was best for him.
“It’s okay.” He kissed Liam’s hand. “Don’t worry. I understand.”
He stood, but Liam pulled him down. Before he could say anything, a warm mouth pressed to his. Liam’s tongue pushed against Coury’s lips and he opened them. Wrapping his arms around Liam, he pulled them closer.
“Wow,” Coury said. “That’s one way to say you don’t want me to go.”
“I don’t.” He framed Coury’s cheeks in his hands and kissed him quickly. “I didn’t expect this. I’ve been trying to convince myself it was better if I let you go without a fuss. This caught me off guard. In a totally great, wonderful, amazing way.”
Coury wanted to hoot and yell. “Yeah?”
“Oh my god, yes!” His smile washed away the sadness in his face. He glowed again like the Liam Coury remembered. “I don’t mean to sound uncertain, but are you sure?”
“Totally. After Pop left baseball, he married your grandmother. Even as a kid I could tell how much he loved her. He may not have made the pros, but he found ways to stay part of the game.”
Liam stared at him, and Coury worried he’d said the wrong thing.
“That was amazing.”
“But you’re practically frowning.”
“I’m not sure I deserve you. What if I’m not worth it?”
Coury tugged him into a hug. “You are. I’m totally certain. The night you asked me to stay over, you said it was going to hurt when I left.”
“It will, but that’s not a reason to walk away from baseball.”
“You never tried to talk me out of going.”
