Page 85 of The Yips

Jake and Josie had taken Crew home earlier, encouraging us to stay out a little longer and celebrate. I grew to like Sam’s sister and loved their bond. Growing up with two famous parents, they had learned to insulate themselves from the rest of the world. Because of this, I knew Sam would always work to protect Crew.

Avery and Carlos invited us out for drinks, and after the week we had, we both needed to take life a little less seriously. We found an upscale cocktail bar, and I ordered an avocado margarita, and Sam stuck with a Manhattan. We filled Avery and Carlos in on what had been happening with Crew’s father. They were sympathetic to us after how things had been exposed. They’d also had issues with the press over the years. The preschool where their kids attended had a father who was a reporter. He always sought Carlos out and harassed him for a story.

“Why is this so interesting? What makes them feel like they have the right to get in our business?”

“That’s the catch-22,” Avery said. “Their contracts are partly related to what they do on the field. Some people watch just for the game. But it’s also an entertainment business. If people aren’t interested in the guys, the game, etc., they won’t sell tickets and have money to pay them. So yes, sometimes you lose some privacy; other times it’s downright invasive.”

We finished our cocktails, and Sam and I said goodbyeand headed back to Jake and Josie’s. We entered the house quietly and found Crew asleep in the bassinet.

“I am going to bend you over that chair and fuck you so hard.”

“Easy killer, that thing is dangerous, with great size, comes great responsibility…”

A soft knock interrupted our dirty banter; Sam opened it to find Josie standing in the hallway, sheepishly holding the baby monitor. “I didn’t mean to listen, I swear. And after that, I apologize for every time I’ve tried to make you squirm by over-sharing.”

“What? Was it the talk of my size that did it?” Sam asked as Josie backed away, shaking her head no and looking slightly green.

I laughed as Sam shut the door, again closing us into the bedroom. “I picked something up for you while you shopped in Austin.”

“Yeah? What is it?” I said curiously.

Sam pulled out a long, flat jewelry box and opened it to display a white gold chain with a horseshoe. “Since you came into my life, I feel like you’ve been the source of my luck. I used to have a similar chain, but I thought it was more fitting for you to have one now.”

“Wait, Sam. You used to have a chain with a horseshoe on it?”

“I did. I lost it right before my game tanked.”

“Hold on,” I said, rummaging through my suitcase to find my old purse. I dug through it, finding the chain left in my car months ago. “Is this the one you lost?”

“Kelsey, you’ve got to be kidding me?! Yes, this is the chain I lost. I must have left it in your car when you drove me home. You’ve really had this the entiretime?”

Sam’s expression clouded as he tried to make sense of it. “What’s going on in that superstitious mind of yours?”

“I’m trying to figure out if my luck was because you had the chain or if it was trying to bring you into my life. Have you had that at every game?”

“No, I don’t always bring a bag into the games. With Crew, I like to travel as minimally as possible. This bag is also over most stadium regulations.”

He took the chain from me, fastened it around his neck, and helped me put mine on.

“This chain was more than just a good luck charm. My grandfather gave this to me when I was twelve. Do you remember the game I told you about? When my father had made the scene where he screamed at me in front of everyone, and I fell apart? I’d sobbed in front of friends, teammates, and my coach. I never wanted to get on the mound again. This was more than just a good luck charm; it symbolized courage. I don’t think I ever would have met you if I never lost it.”

“I love you, Sam. I wish I could find some elaborate way to show you, but everything about us feels right. Pure. Simple. So many things out of our control kept pushing us together.”

“I love you too,” he said thickly, pulling me into his embrace.

CHAPTER 74

Sam

Iheard Crew stirring before Kelsey and rushed to get him before she woke up. We had a long day of travel ahead of us, and I wanted to give her a little break while I could. Once in the kitchen, I realized Josie thawed out extra breast milk.

“Oh no, buddy. You know how mad Mommy gets when her milk goes to waste. Guess you’re going to need to suck it up and drink from the silicone nipple this morning.” His little face screwed up, and I knew my time was limited before he started yelling for Kelsey.

Josie entered the room as I prepared the bottle one-handed, with Crew increasingly restless. “God, Sam. You’re way too competent. Last night, I swore I could read his mind, and the poor kid kept wondering why you guys left him with me.”

I finished making the bottle, and Crew greedily sucked it down. “I can’t explain it. I love this kid like he’s my own.”

Josie searched my eyes, “I guess it’s too late to warn you to be careful.”

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