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“I need to get ready for work. Thanks for being my sounding board.” I smile and she steps toward me and pulls me into a big hug.
Still hugging me, Noel whispers, “Can I please order shirts that say #KissinKershaw?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
WEST
Usually, I love traveling for away games. Seeing a new city and playing in a different arena is exciting. But this time, I’m just anxious about what Melanie is thinking. She looked so devastated when I admitted to lying about my feelings years ago. And I feel like an idiot for thinking she couldn’t handle my career when she’s obviously an intelligent and independent woman.
Instead of letting her make her own choice, I made the choice for her. And I feel like a huge jerk for doing that. She’s right… teenaged boys are stupid.
This lifestyle isn’t easy for any of us. Between our intense training schedule and traveling, my teammates with wives and kids have it the hardest. Having to be away from their families all the time has to be challenging. But I guess at the end of the day, it’s worth it when you get to go back home to the ones you love.
And that’s what I’d for for me and Mel. To come home to her after long trips, to hold her in my arms…
Today, my team and I are flying from northern California to southern California. We won our game last night and are hoping for another win tonight. I’m seated next to Remy. He’s a big guy, probably an inch or two taller than me, so I’m grateful the Eagles charter a jet with large, comfortable seats. Remy is one of those guys who walks into a room and commands attention, without saying a word. With his dark hair, and penetrating brown eyes, everything about him screams leader. Bruce, our goalie, and Colby are across from us. Mitch is snoring behind us, avoiding everyone, as usual.
We’ve started up a game of Exploding Kittens—yeah, we’re not as cool as we seem—and while I’m waiting for them to shuffle and deal a new game, I write in the journal I started for Melanie. I’ve been writing letters to her every day and will give her the leather-bound journal when I get back home tomorrow night.
“Put your diary away, West. It’s your turn,” Colby teases with a laugh.
Bruce blows his blonde hair out of his eyes, he needs a haircut. Not sure how he blocked so many goals during last night’s game with that blonde mop in his eyes. “What’s with the diary, anyway?”
I draw a card and then slide the notebook back into my backpack. “It’s a journal,” I correct. “And I’m just amending some mistakes I made years ago.”
Bruce quirks a brow. “Ah, the plot thickens.”
“This have anything to do with that Congressman’s assistant?” Colby asks.
I shrug.
Remy curses under his breath. “Would you two leave him alone?” He plays an attack card and Bruce draws two cards, glaring at Remy the entire time. But Bruce’s smirk and twinkle in his blue eyes gives away that he’s not actually that upset.
My phone pings with a text and I grab it out of my pocket so quickly the guys stare at me with their eyebrows raised in question. When I see it’s just a text from Harrison, I try my hardest to push away my disappointment. I should’ve known it’d be a text from him and not Mel since I texted him this morning telling him he can stay at my place when he’s in town.
Harrison
That’d be great, man. Just like college, except a nicer crib. *gif of Snoop Dog throwing money around*
Harrison
BTW what’s new with you and Mel?
West
Still working on it.
Harrison
She’s a tough one.
West
Yep, always has been.
Smiling to myself, I put my phone away. Harrison is right; Melanie is a tough one. She’s not one to swoon over pretty words without really thinking about the words and who said them. I like that she’s a thinker and a planner. When Melanie makes a decision, you know she’s 100% certain about it. I’m just crossing my fingers she can be 100% certain about us.
My phone starts playing One Direction’s “One Thing,” which is my ringtone for Melanie.
