Everly.
“Hi, Jason.”
She looked good. Really good. A touch tired, but that was understandable. Her little boy was a couple of months old, and while I thought I would have weird feelings about that, nothing significant came to pass. I was in a better place than I was the last time I saw her, that was for sure.
“Hi.” I looked over her shoulder. “Coughlan here?” He was on IR for the LA Quake, so he wasn’t playing in this series.
“No, he’s at home with Joey.”
I smiled. “How is the little stinker?”
She returned my smile. “Amazing. Keeping us up all night, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks again for the bassinet. We use it all the time.”
“Sure, glad to hear it.”
“And congrats on the game tonight. On the whole series.”
“It’s not a done deal yet.”
She made a skeptical face. “I saw how you played, Jason. I don’t think anyone can stop you guys this year.”
I leaned on the bar and let a couple of beats of silence pass. Ball was in her court.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m here,” she said.
“Maybe you love celebrating when your husband’s team loses? Some people get their kicks in all sorts of ways.”
She chuckled. “Actually, I wanted to … apologize.”
Not expecting that. “For?”
“For giving you the impression that you might not be a worthy partner. I didn’t think we were compatible, but I didn’t handle it well.”
Okay. “You didn’t see me as partner or dad potential. I get it.”
“That wasn’t it. I actually didn’t think I wanted those things until I met Ryan. And when I did, I saw my whole future laid out before me in a way I never saw with you.” She shook her head. “I’m making it worse.”
I touched her arm. “No, you’re not. I get it. To be honest, when we were together, I was at a point of my life where I was ready to take the next step. Marriage, kids, the whole thing. You happened to be there, so I fixated on you, even though you weren’t the right person. I realize that now.”
I also realized that the person you thought would never fit your life might be the most perfect person of all.
She stepped in closer. “I read that you’re having a baby. I’m really happy for you, Jason.”
“Thanks. It’s changed my world.”
“It does that. What’s the mom like?”
Indescribable. But I would try. “She’s everything I never knew I needed.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Franky
* * *
I awoke to a slew of messages from family and friends, celebrating last night’s Game 3 win for the boys in LA. But the only person I wanted to hear from was Jason.
Jason
