I debated on telling them tonight about how I’m leaning toward retiring, but I don’t want to impact our playing in any way. So I keep my lips sealed and enjoy the banter between us for the night.
When I notice that Ian’s no longer talking to Ryker, I say, “Teagan told me to remind you about your lunch plans tomorrow.”
“She’s the one with pregnancy brain, not me.” He chuckles, seeming so much lighter than he was before.
“You’re telling me. Yesterday, she got ready for work and was on her way out the door when I had to remind her that it was Saturday.”
“She seems comfortable living with you,” he comments, giving me a knowing look.
“I mean, yeah. She’s staying until the baby’s a few months old so I can help her out.”
“She’s different now, you know.”
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “What do you mean?”
He gets a faraway look in his eye as he speaks, “Growing up, she always got in trouble at school. Testing the limits at home with our grams and pops. Even in her gymnast career. She excelled, don’t get me wrong, but she was a handful. Not a lot of coaches were willing to take her on. If she weren’t so talented, she wouldn’t have made it.”
I knew some of this already from my conversations with Teagan before. She was a girl who wanted her mom, and she acted out because of it. Can’t say I blame her.
“But now,” Ian continues, “she’s softer. She usually has thisI don’t careattitude going on, but lately, I don’t see that as much.”
“She told the stove to fuck off earlier because the scones I made weren’t done baking yet.”
Ian laughs, and I join him.
“Okay, well, you know what I mean. She’s not like she used to be, and I’m happy for her. I know this isn’t what you guys planned, but somehow, I think it’s exactly what she needed. To slow down and get a new perspective. Has she mentioned anything about her retirement?”
“You know, she doesn’t talk about competing at all. I brought up her past once, but she shut it down,” I say, beginning to wonder why she’s hesitant to talk about it.
“I imagine it’s a touchy subject. Gymnastics means a lot to her and having to give up competing must’ve been hard. That girl lived to compete.”
“Well, if she ever wants to go back, I’ll support her,” I tell him, fully ready to be there for her.
Ian’s lips lift to the right in a crooked smile. “You’re not half bad, Quentin.”
“You neither.”
“I think you’re good for her,” he admits, and I nearly choke on my drink.
“Sorry, could you repeat that?” I goad him.
“Oh, shut up. You heard me, or are you losing the ability to hear in your old age?” Ian fires back, making the entire group laugh as they all heard that.
“Ian’s funny. I like it,” Cole remarks, lifting his beer up to him in salute.
Ian lifts his back, his eyes lighting with the compliment. He needed this in his life.
While the guys shoot the shit and crack jokes, I fixate on Ian’s comment.
He went from being the guy who couldn’t stand me and was furious when he found out I got his sister pregnant, to now wanting me to be with her, as more than friends.
And I have to say, I agree.
I want Teagan. Not just because she’s having our baby.
Because she’s the woman who makes my heart beat excitedly every time I see her. She’s the one who makes me see things in a new way. She’s the one who I think about from the time I get up until the time I go to sleep.
But until she tells me with her words that she’s feeling the same way, I’m not saying anything. I don’t want to risk the relationship we have right now, until I know for sure that she feels the same.
