She quirks an eyebrow. “I’m holding you to that. Now get on that phone of yours and call that gorgeous hunk of man meat!”
“Cora!” I chastise, laughing softly. She doesn’t reply, just laughs as she walks out, her laugh following her down the hallway. She’s right. I need to call Gabe.
Gabe
I’m on autopilot through the next few weeks, giving Layla the time she needs to figure things out. I do my job, covering up my broken heart, and we manage to stay above 500. Finally, we have down time (an entire week) during the All-Star break. And I head back to Chicago. Back to Layla. She’s all I can think about. I’ve given her time to figure things out. And I’m done waiting.
Gabe: Hey, beautiful.
Layla: Hey.
Gabe: I’m back in Chicago for the week. Can we meet and talk?
Layla: I’d like that.
Gabe: Perfect. Meet me tomorrow at my place?
Layla: Yes. What time?
Gabe: Any time. I’ll be there.
Layla: Okay. See you then.
Gabe:
The next morning, my doorbell buzzes. That has to be Layla. Swinging the door open wide, Layla is on the other side, dressed in a sharp business suit that hugs her curves and killer high heels. Damn, she looks good. As we stand in the foyer, we just look at one another, drinking each other in. She’s a sight for sore eyes. “Hi,” I say softly.
“Hi,” she murmurs back, her eyes never leaving mine.
“Let’s sit,” I suggest, motioning her into the living room. The same room that Layla and I made sweet love and a whole lot of memories in. We sit on the couch and I turn to her, prepared to speak first. “Layla, listen?—”
“Gabe,” she says, taking my much larger hand in hers, her eyes on mine. “I love you. And I want to be with you. Like we were before,” she says, a tremble in her voice.
I sigh in relief, my muscles relaxing. “I love you, too. I always have and always will. And I’d like that. Things between us before were so damn good. I want that, too,” I tell her, my thumb stroking her soft skin. After I tell her that, the light seems to return to her pretty eyes.
“Where do we go from here?” she asks.
“Only up, baby,” I say, a smile on my face. Lifting her onto my lap, I pull her into my arms and kiss her lips tenderly. “Okay?” I ask.
“Yes,” she sighs against my lips. I deepen the kiss and instantly I’m transported back in time. To the time when all this shit hadn’t happened and we were happy. I smile against her lips. I know we can get back to that again. It will just take time.
Layla, practically glowing, pulls her lips from mine. I smirk. Her lips are puffy and wet from my kisses. Just as they should be. “How is this going to work? Things need to change. I can’t take you being away so much. It makes my heart ache.”
I knew she might bring this up. I’m already miles ahead of her. Gathering her hands, I hold them in mine, pressing them to my chest. “I feel the same way. Every time I leave you, it hurts. It feels like there’s a hole in my chest and you are the only one who can make me whole again. And that’s why I’ve decided that after this season, I’m done.”
She audibly gasps, her mouth hanging open. “Gabe, no! You can’t do that!”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“I won’t ask that of you.”
“Well, babe, it’s too late. I’ve already done it.”
“Gabe…” she says, preparing to argue with me.
“Shh. I’ve had plenty of time to come to this decision. It’s time.”
She covers her mouth with her hand, blinking at me in shock. Gently taking her hand off her mouth, I kiss the corner of her lips. “But, I do have something to ask of you in return.”
