“I don’t know.”
She nods. “Because you never asked her, you lug. Most people just assume they know what she wants without asking. Or her idiot ex-boyfriend decided not to tell her he’d started dating other people. Co-mmun-i-ca-tion, son. If I need to spell it out for you, I will. I’d say use that big mouth of yours and talk to her before you make things final.”
Grandma gives me another long look before turning and catching up with her husband.
I walk out to my truck and sit in the seat with the engine off. Grandma Marianne’s words float in through my brain. Sure, I’ve heard my roommates say similar things, but from someone close to Laney, it hits home a little more.
How do I bridge the gap I forced by being an idiot? I don’t want to start texting her again and have her wondering what’s going on. And I don’t want to call her. What if she doesn’t pick up?
The only logical solution is to do it in person, but can I wait for another three days?
I don’t have to work tonight, which is a relief. And we don’t have a game tomorrow, but Aliana scheduled me for the afternoon shift.
What if I went to D.C.? What if I went there and explored with Laney and we talked about everything? Well, I’d have to explain first and then hope she’d want to see the sites with me.
I’m half ready to book a flight and half terrified I might fly out there for nothing.
Her grandmother’s words must mean Laney told her about our situation, right?
The biggest question is, what do I want? Am I willing to do whatever I can to make things work with Laney, despite my self-doubts?
Hope sweeps through my chest.
The only thing that slightly dampens it is the thought of her tellingme it’s too late.
I turn on the truck, speeding home. A quick text to Jessa confirms the baseball team will be in D.C. tomorrow.
I find a red-eye flight and book it. I’ve got two hours until takeoff.
Throwing some clothes into a bag, I grab whatever I can find, hoping to come up with an idea of how to start this conversation.
Jessa, I’m heading to D.C. If you have any ideas on how to make amends for being a dork to Laney, I’ll take them.
I’ll come up with some now
Walking out into the living room, I announce, “I’m on a flight to Virginia tonight. Can I get a ride?”
The three younger roommates look at me like I’ve lost my mind before loud conversations and questions take over.
Clark grins, standing up to grab his keys. “I’ll take you.”
CHAPTER 37
BURTON
Flying on a plane isn’t any better than a bus, especially with how nervous I am as we get closer.
From all the information Jessa snuck me, the team gets in today in the early afternoon and then they head out to the field for their game. We’ve never had a ten-day straight stretch of games, but that sounds like a lot of stress all around. Then again, most of them probably don’t have to supplement their income by serving at a restaurant.
I found someone to take my shift at Vincenzo’s for the next two days. Mondays are usually our off days for lacrosse, so as long as I’m on a flight back by thatnight, I should be okay.
The part I’m dreading the most is showing up to my parents’ home. The last-minute flight cost more than I’d budgeted for miscellaneous expenses this month, so getting a hotel room for two nights in the capital city would be stretching it. I thought about sending a text but wasn’t sure what to say.
At least I can get to their home through public transportation and ask in person. I used to ride these train lines all the time with my friends, and it makes me think of Laney before I fixed her car. Salt Lake isn’t as easy to get around as the Washington D.C. area. The woman has some serious grit to her.
While it’s the typical day for people to sleep in, there are plenty who’re up and about, making the train more crowded than I expected.
I make it to my childhood home by eight in the morning, and I look up at the house, so many memories flooding my brain. Some are good and others I’d love to never think about again.
