“No need to apologize,” I said to Ricky while he stayed behind Nate. “If you come to a game, foul balls in the stands are a given. This one just had a life of its own.”
He gave me a weak smile.
“I know, but I’m sorry you were hurt,” Ricky said, looking between Lee and me as if he were apologizing to him too.
“Like Stella said, nothing to be sorry about,” Lee said, slapping him on the back. “But the visit is appreciated.”
“Hey, my name is Bailee. I’m a friend of Stella’s,” Bailee said to Nate as she bolted out of the chair.
“Oh, right. I think I signed an autograph for you,” Nate said, his smile wide as he took her hand.
“Would you mind a quick selfie?” Bailee asked as she unlocked her phone and positioned herself next to Nate.
“Seriously?” I said, lifting my head off the pillow.
“Oh, you just said you were fine,” she said, smiling while she raised the phone above her head.
Lee chuckled when my gaze landed on his.
“Everywhere he goes,” he said on a long sigh.
“I’m a big fan,” she said, a wide smile still plastered on her face as she shoved the phone back into her purse.
“Thanks. Is your husband a fan too?”
“My…husband?” she stammered.
“Carl,” I said, rolling my head toward Bailee. “Remember? The father of your kids, your husband of ten years, and the one who gave you the diamond on your finger?”
“Right.” She glanced at her hand. “It’s not that serious, though.”
I burst out laughing until the side of my head throbbed.
“Shit,” I muttered, covering my face with my hands.
“And that is why you’re taking it easy.” Lee reached down and squeezed my arm. “Thanks for stopping by, guys. Stella needs some rest.”
“No problem,” Nate said, his smile shrinking when he met my gaze. “I’m glad you’re okay. See you in Baltimore, Doc,” Nate told Lee and left with Ricky.
“Such a nice guy,” Bailee gushed, staring at her phone screen.
“He is. Exhausting, but nice,” Lee said. “I called my mother to let her know I’m picking Bennie up a little late. Once you’re cleared, I’ll get you home and then go get Bennie.”
“Okay,” I said, giving him a gentle nod. I’d go along with whatever he wanted since this had been a tough day for him too. It had been unnerving to see him so spooked and unglued, and I was more concerned about him than myself. He’d been so worried I’d been badly hurt, but his mind had gone to the worst possible scenario a little too quickly.
We’d need to talk about that too, but I was too exhausted to focus on anything but getting out of here and settling into my cozy bed. I couldn’t take it easy for that long, but I’d milk it for the night to avoid all the unanswered questions rolling around in my battered head.
After my CT scan came back clear, Lee had a car take Bailee and me to his house while he headed back to thestadium to get his car to pick up Bennie. He’d said if my mother was back from her day trip, he’d let her know what had happened and that I was okay.
The doctor had agreed with Lee that they couldn’t rule out a concussion completely, so I had to rest for a couple of days and watch my symptoms. I hoped I’d be okay once Lee left for Baltimore, but I couldn’t think that far ahead.
Or at all, as I could still feel Lee’s body shaking against mine.
“Your bedroom is beautiful,” Bailee mused as she propped my pillows at my back. “Lee built all this for you?”
“The queen-sized bed and headboard were already here. But he and Bennie picked the bedspread and curtains,” I said, glancing back until my head began to pound again. “He built the dresser in the corner and the bookshelves around the headboard.”
“I see,” she said, surveying the space. “But that’s just because he’sextraconsiderate with everyone, right?”
