She’s crying. Is that a good thing?
In my gut I feel like it’s good, but it could go either way.
There’s another minute of her crying before she picks up her phone.
Where are you?
I’m in the outfield boonies
I thought you had games this weekend. Grammie said they went to the one yesterday.
I grin, grateful her grandma doesn’t think I’m the worst person because of how I’ve handled this whole thing.
I took a red-eye to get here. Can I come where you are?
As much as I love texting her, I really don’t want to say sorry through a phone.
Yes. Come when our team goes out to warm up after their at-bat.
I grin, trying to ease the nervous energy. It feels like forever before the team gets three outs, earning two runs in the process.
“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t let you pass through here,” one of the security people says.
“He’s part of our team,” Laney says, walking toward me.
“He doesn’t have a badge,” the guy says, pointing to me.
“Court, did you forget your badge?” Laney says with a grin.
“Uh, yeah. Sorry about that.” An actor I am not, but the guy lets me through, and I walk toward Laney with a shy smile.
I expect to be yelled at, but instead, she walks up to me and throws her arms around my neck, pulling me down for a tender kiss.
Pulling back enough to look in her eyes, I say, “You’re not mad at me?”
“Oh, I’m mad, but this all makes up for it. I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I screwed up, Laney. I let my insecurities about life cloud any chance at a future with you. The easy decision was to come when our game was canceled today.”
I take a deep breath and say, “I love you, Laney. I was so worried about being enough for you, about giving you a stable life. Grandma Marianne reminded me that you can think on your own and that I was dumb for not asking you. I’m so sorry.”
She leans in for a softer kiss this time, and I will take any chance I can get with this woman.
“I love you, too, Court. I’m glad you finally came to your senses. I don’t expect to be treated like a princess. I’m in this for the long haul, and we can work out any issues as they come.” She pauses. “How long are you here for?”
“I have to fly out tomorrow night.”
“Do you have somewhere to stay?” she asks.
I clench my teeth. “I thought I did, but that fell through. I’ll have to figure that out later.”
“I’ll ask one of the guys to let you stay in their room.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that.”
“You’ll be fine. It’s just one night, and then youdon’t have to get a room here.” She touches her ear and says, “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you after the game, though, right?”
Grinning, I say, “I’ll be here.”
