With one final sigh, she pulls back and takes the handle of her carry-on suitcase. “Okay. I’m going to Italy.”
“You’re going to Italy.” I give her a wide smile. “I’ll see you in two weeks, Iz.”
I stay until I can’t see her anymore, as she disappears past the security line. Fuck, I hate saying goodbye to her, even if it is only for a couple of weeks.
Stepping outside, the muggy Florida air feels heavy. Or maybe that’s just me.
It’s only two fucking weeks, Yamaki, man up.
That pep talk works just long enough to get to my car, an old Honda Civic. When I land my first major league deal, I’m buying a fucking sports car.
I hook my phone up to the car’s internal system and start the drive back to campus. When my phone rings, a part of me getsexcited that maybe it’s Isabelle and she’s not going. But it’s my mom.
I answer, biting back the totally stupid sting of disappointment.
“Hey Mom.”
“Hi Kai, how are you, honey?”
“Good, just driving back from dropping a friend at the airport.” My parents don’t know that Isabelle is more than a friend, and that she has been for a while. Because when I decided to come here, I promised them I’d focus on baseball first, school second. A girlfriend isn’t exactly part of that plan. And even though I’ve done just fine balancing it all, with a decent GPA and a more than decent showing on the team, I don’t wanna hear the lecture about not letting a girl distract me.
“I see. Well, I was wondering how you’d feel about some visitors over spring break? We found a last-minute flight deal.” She sounds excited, and I try not to groan. I love my family. Seriously. Especially my kid sister Evie. But I’m not gonna be in a good mood these next couple of weeks and it’ll be a lot harder to hide that from my family.
“I’ll be pretty busy with the team,” I hedge, taking the exit off the road that will take me to campus.
“That’s fine. We just need some sunshine. You know how Toronto is in March. And we’d love to watch some of your games.”
I know when it’s a done deal. “Okay. Let me know when you’re coming and I’ll try to get some tickets.”
“Sounds great, honey. Love you!”
We end the call, and I finish the drive in silence. Maybe having my family here for a few days will help distract me from Isabelle being gone.
Shit. I better make sure none of her stuff is visible in my dorm before they arrive. That’ll raise questions I don’t wanna answer.
As soon as I’m parked at my building, I send Iz a text.
KAI: Miss you already baby. My fam-jam is coming down for a few days. Better make sure your panties aren’t in my dirty laundry.
IZ: OMG. No kidding!!!
IZ: And I miss you too. Are you sure I should be doing this?
KAI: Yup. It’s gonna be fine. Just don’t fall in love with the place and decide not to come home okay?
IZ: You don’t need to worry. I’ll be back before you know it. I love you.
Chapter one
Isabelle
*Present Day *
A yawn breaks free as I slowly move forward in the final customs line at Vancouver Airport, pushing the cart carrying my suitcases. As soon as I’m through this checkpoint, I can find my mom, go back to her new house, and sleep.
I hate overnight flights. But connecting through France, this was the only option from the airport in Venice, which is closest to the town I live in, all the way around the world to Vancouver, Canada, where my mom now lives.
As soon as I’m past the customs officials, my pace picks up. Even though I just saw Mom a few months ago at her very-much-a-surprise elopement in Portugal, I’m excited to see her again.
