Tattoo (14 page)

TWENTY-EIGHT

I missed most of the baseball game, and stayed until long after it was over. I moved myself from the bleachers, to the dugout, and then eventually to the pitcher's mound. God, I missed it out there. The smell of the grass, the feel of the ball, the feeling of being the game hero. The feeling of being a somebody. It seemed I was missing a lot of things those days. I shook my head at my own self. It's sad to live a life missing what you could have had. But what other choice did I have?

I caught the imaginary ball in the air, slamming it into my imaginary mitt. I closed my eyes. The count was 3 balls, 2 strikes. There were runners on first and second, two outs. It was the bottom of the ninth and we were tied 1-1. One hit and the game was over. I wound up and threw the pitch.

"Looked like a strike to me," I heard a familiar female voice call out.

I didn't even want to open my eyes, she sounded like she was just behind the backstop, like always. 

"Did that win the game?"

That time I opened my eyes. She was too real not to be there.

There she stood behind the backstop, jeans and a black t-shirt, her hair blowing in the wind. I blinked a few times, unable to believe what I was seeing. She started toward the gate to open it up and I looked at her left hand. She was too far away for me to see it.

"Shouldn't you be at your reception or something?" I asked her.

She winced. I didn't mean it to come out so harshly, but what the hell was she trying to do to me? Kill me?

"No, there is no reception," she answered back, as she took tentative steps toward the pitcher’s mound.

I looked at her left hand again, this time I could see it was empty.

"What happened?" I asked kicking myself silently for not staying to see the end of the wedding.

"I couldn't do it," she said. She had finally made it to the pitcher's mound and she was standing up there with me. The scent of strawberries floated along through the air. I closed my eyes and breathed it in.

"What happened?" I asked, once I finally regained my composure. 

"I couldn't marry him."

I looked her in the eyes. Her wedding day makeup had been washed off, and she looked like she'd been crying. Even after all the years, that look still made my heart ache.

"Why not?" I asked. Praying for one very specific answer.

She let out a long deep sigh that came from the very bottom of her soul.

"I love Max. He's an amazing guy."

I nodded along. That wasn't the answer I was praying for.

"But I got some advice this morning."

"Oh yea? What's that?" I had to admit, my curiosity was peaked.

"You have to pick the person, who you can't live without."

My heart started to pick up speed.

"So....," I started, but wasn't sure where to go from there.

"So, even though I love Max, I can't live without you."

The words I'd been waiting to hear, dying to hear every minute, of every day, of every year since she left. 

"I just need to know, can you ever forgive me? Do you think we could move past our past, fall in love again?"

I smiled and grabbed her wrists. I pulled her in tight. "I never stopped loving you."

Just like the first day I met her, our first date, our first kiss, and every day since I've known her, I wanted her. I needed her, every day for the rest of my life. I kissed her hard and wrapped my arms around her, tight. I was aware of the sun setting around us, of the end of one day and soon the beginning of another.   

"Can we stay like this forever?" I whispered against her lips.

I felt her smile and she melted into my arms. She didn't even need to answer, she simply kissed me again. It was all I'd ever need. 

About The Author

KATLIN STACK is a voracious reader with a passion for dancing and writing. She lives in Western New York with her husband and two black labs. TATTOO is her debut novel.

Follow her on Twitter:
@KatlinStack

Catch up with her on her blog:
Trials and Triumphs of a Twenty-something

Acknowledgments

I still can’t believe this book is complete. I’ve been dreaming about being a writer since third grade, and it’s finally happened. I didn’t get this far on my own though, I have some amazing people to thank.

Mom, Dad, and BJ. You’ve supported me my entire life in everything I’ve wanted to do. And when I began writing and chasing my dreams to be an author, you all encouraged me. You read everything I write and you push me to do my best. Mom, you’re there for me every time I have a new idea and are happy to help chew it over with me, no matter what time of day or night. Because of you all, I know that I can chase my dreams and even if I falter, you will all be there to help me get back on my feet. I couldn’t have asked for a better family.

My husband, Brandon. Not only are you incredibly supportive of my dreams and my books, but the love that I wrote about between Eric and Lauren is the love I learned about by being with you. A love that “hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” Thank you for teaching me about love, and giving me inspiration for two beautiful characters.

My Grandma Sue. You were a beautiful poet and writer. Mom told me that I got my love of writing from you. So I want to thank you for passing that along to me, it’s a family heirloom I’ll always treasure.

My readers- family, friends, and fans. Thank you so much for taking a chance on my book! It amazes me that people find my book worthy enough to read. I hope you enjoyed it!

Two words I live my life by “always believe.”  ~Sunny