Page 108 of Crazy Love

Lorelai clutches her heart. “Oh.”

“I feel like I’m letting everyone down, no matter where I am.”

Her eyes soften. She leans back in her chair, tapping a manicured nail on her desk. “You know,” she says thoughtfully, “I used to love traveling with the team before I was the director.”

I blink. “Yeah?”

She smiles faintly. “Maybe I could cover some of the away games. You could work on getting ahead with that Mustangs Magic all our guys are addicted to.” Her mouth twitches. “And dig into the mound of new products we’re being sent all the time. There’s lots you could be covering here or at home, and I could feel young again.”

My jaw drops. “You’d really be willing to do that?”

Her expression warms. “Adeline, I have a lot of regrets. I missed out on a lot, having kids being a huge one. My marriages suffered, yes, plural. I set myself up to not be needed and it’s showing now.” Her gaze sharpens. “If you want more time at home, let’s figure out how to make that happen. I love having you here. Our players are happy and healthy, and they’re winning. I give you credit for being part of making that happen.”

My cheeks flush at the praise. I don’t know about all that, but I do feel like I’ve gotten the players on a great trajectory, nutrition-wise.

“I’d rather keep you happy than lose you,” she adds.

I exhale shakily, feeling the massive weight that’s been smothering me let up just a little bit.

“And besides,” she smirks, “Toby is like a robot. That kid gets shit done.”

I laugh for the first time in what feels like weeks. “He’s amazing. You’re serious about this?”

“Absolutely. Let me take this weekend. I didn’t have much planned for tomorrow around here anyway. Get me up to speed on the plan.”

I walk her through the meal plans for the next couple of days while the team is traveling, and she seems excited at the thought of beingback in the game, her words not mine.

“Thank you,” I tell her again when I leave her office.

She waves me off. “We’ll try it and if it doesn’t work, we’ll try something else.”

“You’re the best.” I smile at her, eyes welling up again.

“Don’t you forget it.”

Later that night, I tell Penn about it. We’re sitting on the couch. Sam is asleep in his room, and Winnie is sleeping curled up on my lap. Penn’s arm is stretched behind me, his fingers lazily combing through my hair.

“I talked to Lorelai,” I say quietly. “She’s going to cover some of the away games. This weekend, in fact.”

His hand stills and when I look over at him, his brows lift. “Really?”

I smile. “If it goes well, I’ll cover some of her responsibilities here and I’ll be home more. For Sam and Winnie.” I glance down at her sleeping face and brush her hair away from her cheek.

He doesn’t say anything for a moment. His hand slides down the back of my neck, his thumb sweeping over my skin.

“I thought you’d be happy about it,” I say carefully.

“I am,” he says, but his voice is strained. He looks at me, his gaze intense. “It just worries me.”

My stomach twists. “Why?”

His jaw works. “Because you’re overwhelmed and I want to help. I’m afraid you’re burning out.”

I sigh, resting my head on his shoulder. “I’m trying to fix it.”

“I know.” His arm tightens around me. “I just don’t like the idea of you choosing between your job and…everything else.”

“I’m not,” I whisper. “I’m just trying to find a better balance.”

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