He lifted her light frame with ease and Cal held the door for them to go in. Once inside, he sat Lola on the couch and looked at her right ankle. It appeared red and swollen, but Lola was still able to flex it as directed.
Cami got Lola some ibuprofen and Cal grabbed a bag of frozen vegetables to ice the ankle while Javi elevated it.
“So what happened?” asked Javi.
“I’m sorry I went outside without you, Cal,” said Lola. “But you were in there a long time and I didn’t want Amigo togoinside.”
Javi and Cami looked at Cal and he put his hands up. “I wasn’t in there that long.”
Javi doubted that. The guy had probably been completely zoned out and scrolling through his old messages or pictures. He was hung up bad for a woman who’d broken up with him.
Cami rolled her eyes and announced, “Whatever. It doesn’t matter now. I think that’s enough excitement for all of us for tonight.”
Later, when it was just Javi and Camdyn in the bedroom they shared in this rented house, he pulled her into his arms. Her arms wrapped around his waist, returning the hug, and he didn’t want to let her go. He needed to hold her for his own comfort.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled into his shoulder.
“I am, too,” he replied. “I should have called you as soon as I heard from management, but since nothing is finalized, I just didn’t think it was that important.”
“You being traded away scares me,” admitted Cami.
He rubbed his hand soothingly on her back. “I understand, and it would make for a long season, but it would not change how I feel about you or me wanting to make my home here with you. If I squeeze in a couple more years in the majors, I’ll take it, because the money would help set up our future family and other business ventures. However, if the plan is for me to go back to the minors indefinitely, it’ll simply be time to hang up my hat and focus on the other things I want to do.”
She pulled back to look him in the eyes. “You mentioned earlier that you commissioned an artist for the barnstorming team you’ve been talking about.”
His Cami was so pretty, even after an emotional whirlwind of a day. He was glad to see the melancholy that had shrouded her earlier was gone. Her eyes were now bright and interested, whereas before they seemed dull and resigned.
He started to answer as he walked them back to the bed. “I did. I truly think I can do it. I’m going to need help and some investors, but I’m going to push forward with it. I spent most of today finalizing a business plan. I had planned to show it to you this evening, but things went sideways.”
She grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
He shushed her. “I didn’t say that to make you feel bad. Misunderstandings and disagreements are going to happen. There is no avoiding it, because I’m stubborn and you’re feisty,” he said with a smile. “What’s important is that we always make it back to this spot. Together.”
He laid her down onto their bed and braced himself over her.
“I love you, Cami,” he said before lightly kissing her lips. “And I’m never letting you go.”
EPILOGUE
Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
- Lou “Iron Horse” Gehrig, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, 1939
The morning sun reflected brightly off the golden desert sand as Javier looked out at the expanse of land he’d purchased. It was a lot of dirt, rocks, brush, and distant buttes, but it was the most amazing view, and soon to be the lookout site of his wildest dream. He was amazed by what he’d pulled together in six short months. Granted, he’d poured all his time and an incredible amount of work and money into this project, but it still seemed unreal.
He wouldn’t have made it this far without the help of so many people. His Cami, the amazing woman that she was, had listened to all his crazy ideas and had helped him meet with many different attorneys. They’d consulted with business, real estate, IP, and several other attorneys regarding the various aspects of the project. Her grandfather had connected them with anyone Cami didn’t have a connection with. Her family had also pulled through as big sponsors, with Cal investing andhelping Javi brainstorm. He had plans for themed nights, ideas for concessions and merchandising. It seemed that every day they thought of some new possibility, and his friends and past teammates were all bending over backwards to help him make them a reality. Even his little cousin, Lola, had adopted a role as his unofficial documenter and social media expert.
It was amazing to him that someone with such limited prior access to technology had been able to pick it up so quickly. Lola was constantly filming him and editing videos for him to post. It was like she had a natural knack for it.
He needed to remember to thank every one of them in his speech.
Cami approached, and he immediately lifted his arm so she could fit herself against him.
“You look handsome in your new uniform. Are you ready?” she asked once he’d tucked her tight against his side.
Her left hand was resting against his chest, and he placed his free hand over hers as he turned them towards the waiting crowd. “I’m ready. I’ve been preparing for this day for months.”
She gave him a big smile. “I’m so proud of you.”
