“I know, Coach. Thank you.”
“How’s our girl doing? She tell the other two?” He gives me a stern look.
“She should be telling them now. I made sure they were at the house when we got back and left her with them.”
“Good. She’ll be just fine with those two until you can get back to her. You boys ready to get this game started?”
“Yes, sir,” Fields agrees.
“Well since he’s the only one playing tonight, I don’t much know if what I say matters,” Miller responds.
“Son, you have no business trying to play tonight and you know it. Today wasn’t just hard on Bennett. Plus, your old knees could use a break before the postseason.”
“Who are you calling old, old man?” Miller chases Coach out of the locker room.
I quickly change into my uniform so I can support the team in the dugout tonight. We’re a week away from the postseason and are leading the division. Should be an easy home series.
After Chase leaves, I wait to see if Taylor and Ivory will bombard me with questions, but they don’t. We sit in silence on the porch until I finally speak.
“I can’t believe he texted you.”
I’m happy he did. I needed them. Knowing he knew that only makes me love him more. Giving him the words earlier felt right. I only wish I would’ve spoken them out loud sooner despite him saying he already knew.
“You’ve got a good one.” Ivory reaches over and squeezes my hand. Don’t I know it.
“I’m trying not to be salty that you didn’t text us sooner,” Taylor speaks from the other side of the couch.
“Don’t think you’re one to be throwing stones at secrets right now.” Pot, kettle.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asks.
“What’s going on with you and Grant?” Two can play this game, sister. Don’t get me started.
“Nothing. This isn’t about me. This is about you” Taylor’s constant deflection only makes me more curious.
“Sooner or later, you’re going to have to tell us, Tay.” It’s hypocritical of me to expect her to share all her secrets when the reason they’re here is because I didn’t share mine.
“I choose later, thank you.”
“Gabby, can I get you anything?” Ivory changes the subject.
“Just water for me tonight and maybe some ibuprofen.” The pain is setting in now that the adrenaline is seeping out.
“Sure thing.” Ivory goes inside to get them for me.
“And I love you, but can we maybe go inside? I want to lay down.”
“Yeah, babe. Let’s go.” Taylor guides me inside and waits until I get comfortable on the chaise side of the couch.
“Here you go.” Ivory passes me the pain medicine and water.
“Thank you.” I swallow it down and reach for a blanket to tuck around me as they bring in all the snacks they set up on the porch.
“Okay, where do you want to start?” Ivory asks.
“I guess the beginning.”
I tell them about the scare last year during Ivory’s wedding planning. How I didn’t want to worry them when it came back to be nothing and then explain everything that’s happened the last few weeks to get us here. “So now we wait on the results of the biopsy.”
