Hey man. Practice sucks without you.
Everyone’s mopey without their favorite captain here.
Cruz:
I doubt that.
Hendrix:
Don’t underestimate how much you keep us all on the right path. We need you back. Any updates?
Cruz:
No, my meeting with Rich got moved until later tonight. Something’s going on, but he’s been tight-lipped about it.
Hendrix:
You trust him, right?
Cruz:
I do. I know he’s working hard to get answers.
Hendrix:
Then let him do his thing. How’s your head?
Cruz:
It’s been fine. Nothing alarming.
Hendrix:
That’s great news.
Cruz:
Yeah. I’m ready to be back.
By late afternoon, I’m desperate to pass the time before meeting up with Rich. I go on another long walk after talking to Hen. It’s the only way to make this nervous energy vibrating through me manageable.
The elevator doors ding, opening up on my floor. I’m looking down at my phone as I walk down the long hallway that leads to my room. Delilah left late morning and hasn’t been back. I know because I’ve checked several times. She’s probably at work, but I can’t help the doubt that creeps in. Maybe she’s not coming back this time.
I’m so lost in my phone that I almost trip over the pair of legs that are stretched across the worn maroon carpet. I glance around the hallway, checking to make sure I’m in the right spot. My voice comes out in a revenant whisper when I follow the legs up to their owner.
“Hermosa, what are you doing here?” She knocks the wind right out of me when she looks up at me from where she’s camped out with her head resting on her carryon like she’s been waiting a while.
“I couldn’t do it anymore.” Her hands twist in her lap as she stares up at me, her chin quivering.
The look on her face fucking guts me. After everything we’ve been through, she still doubts how I feel about her and whether I want her here. I’m going to remedy that, but first I need her in my arms.
Squatting down, I pluck her hands out of her lap, enclosing them in my larger ones and pulling her up to me in one swift movement. My arms wrap around her waist, catching her off guard and making a laugh huff out of her.
“Fuck, it’s good to see you.” My hands come up to her cheek, tilting her face up so she has to look at me. “This is where you belong.”
Tears pool in her blue eyes, barely contained by her lashes. And I want nothing more than to take all her pain and sadness away. “I’m sorry I let you walk away when you needed me. I should have—”
“Shhh . . . It’s okay. Come on, let’s go inside,” I say, pulling out my key card with one hand while I keep her anchored to me with the other. There’s no way I’m letting her go again. I want to tell her that. Make her understand I want this forever, but I shove the words down. Soon, when this is all over and I can give her all of me.
