“I can be safe here, mamá. I don’t have to go away to be safe.”
“This family is the worst family we’ve ever had to deal with. You’ll like Rosaura, I’ve never met her family, but I knew her growing up and we talk a few times a year. Her family moved to Lake Renegade for a few years. Then her parents and siblings moved back to Valencia.”
“But she stayed in Lake Renegade?”
“Si. She was promised to a boy there, Leonardo Mancini. And she fell in love. They have triplets, Salvatore is the Sheriff, Fiorella is a fashion designer and Gianluca is a baseball player.”
“That’s crazy that she was okay staying there. I can’t imagine living without all of you.”
“Well, she fell in love and love really does mean everything. I love your papá and I would go anywhere with him. You’ll feel that way when you fall in love.”
“I don’t know about that, mamá.”
I finish packing and hug my mamá again.
“Te amo, mamá.”
“Te amo, mija. You call me when you get settled. This will all be over before you know it.”
I hug my brothers one by one. No matter how much I grumble about them, I love them so much. They’re my protectors and I can see how hard this is on them too.
“Don’t do anything stupid.” Álvaro says as he hugs me.
“Be good. And listen to Rosaura.” Elvio smiles and hugs me.
Félix hugs me and I hear him sniffle.
Last to hug me is my twin brothers, José and Juan. “We love you, Gabriela. Stay safe and we’ll see you soon.”
I wipe my tears as I wave at all of them. My papá and his second in command, Julio are taking me to the airport. The Mancini’s have sent their jet for me. I still don’t want to go.
My papá walks me onto the plane.
“I’ll see you soon, mija. Please listen to Rosaura. She’ll take good care of you.”
“I will papá. Te amo.”
“Te amo.” He says as he hugs me one last time.
I wave at him through the window one last time. Please let them all be safe.
CHAPTER THREE
Gianluca
“Wow, Gianluca Mancini’s a dad.” Anthony Masterson, our pitcher chuckles.
I laugh. “It’s not something I thought would happen.”
“How are things going? When are we going to get to meet him?”
“My family’s bringing him to the game today, it’s his first live game. I wish I could sit out there with him.”
“Yeah, when my kids saw their first live games, it was fun because I could see them cheering. But at the same time, I felt like I was missing out on it with them. Now that they’re older, they tell me how much they love watching me play. They’re who I play for.” Harrison Hendricks, our first baseman tells us.
Harrison’s new to the team and so far he seems like a really great guy. He’s been my roommate when we’re gone for away games. I see so many players step out on their wives when we’re on the road. But not Harrison. He goes out with everyone, butnever talks to the women that come around. And he’s always texting his wife.
“Does it get easier?”
