Lee
Good. I’ll kick ass for you too.
Stella
I didn’t kick anyone’s ass.
Lee
You didn’t report to school yet.
Stella
Very funny.
Lee
I’m glad you’re here. I mean there, whatever.
Stella
I’m glad I’m here too.
Lee
In a few days, I’ll be there too. In my own bed. I can’t fucking wait.
Stella
I’m sure. Go back to the game. Text me after, or if you’re up to it, you can call. We may still be up.
Lee
I’ll try. And I mean it. I’m glad you’re there, and Bennie is too.
“Is that Daddy?” Bennie asked, pointing to my phone.
“Yes. How did you know?”
“You always smile when you text.” She yawned into the pillow, the sugar high already crashing. “And he does that when he talks about you. You guys must be really good friends.”
“We are,” I said, trying to form words after that little gut punch.
I closed my eyes, letting my head fall back as all the blurred lines ricocheted around in my head.
FIFTEEN
LEE
“Why does the last leg of the trip home always seem so damn long?” Silas asked on a yawn.
The entire trip had seemed long as hell to me. Six flights in ten days, ending with a ride on a luxury bus from Boston to Brooklyn. My stomach was turning from all the jerky starts and stops for the past two hours, and I wanted off this bus and in my own bed.
Besides the constant travel, it had been a busy trip for the entire team. Stats-wise, we’d only lost one game and were returning home tied for first place, although it was too early in the season to get excited about it.
In the last game alone, we had two tweaked ankles and one pitcher with the beginnings of tendonitis, along with the regular adjustments I’d give to the guys if they felt any pain anywhere before the game.
It had been a blessing to be too busy to think about what was waiting for me at home—or who. Still, I was beat and ready to get off the bus.
