Page 25 of Rushing Her: Seattle, Westerners
Good. Love you kiddo
Me
Love you too
Mildred ushers me in, and I step through the door, feeling the change in the house already. Cold, sterile, sickly smelling. She leads me to a bedroom on the main floor that was Coach’s office before. A hospital bed now takes up the space with medical equipment surrounding it.
“Dang, Coach, this doesn’t look good.” I walk over and take a seat.
He coughs and turns to me. “It’s metastasized to my lungs and stomach. I’m not going to beat this one.”
“There’s always a chance for a W.” I repeat the line he would always tell us.
“Not this time. I have something for you.” He hands me another file folder.
Opening it up, it contains a picture of Alexandra, with an address on the back. She’s standing on the beach, looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
“Go get her, and don’t let her go again. This is the only time I can actually help. I called in a favor after seeing the news reports. Alexandra’s father works with a former supporter; he’s got a beach cabin.”
“Thank you.” I reach out and take his hand. “I wish I could say that I forgive you, but I can’t yet. I realize I don’t have much time left.”
“It’s okay, kid. You win another ring and get one on her finger. Then I know I won’t be in hell forever.”
His wife sobs from the doorway, and I squeeze his hand before standing and hugging her.
I walk out the door, not wanting to consider that this will probably be the last time I see that man. He deserves so much more than dying in pain like he will.
Within an hour and a half, I’m pulling into the driveway of an enormous house suspended above the water. It’s beautiful, but the ocean view is even better, and just like in the picture, standing alone on the beach is my girl. She has on leggings and a long sweater, which is wrapped around her body.
I bypass her parents and walk right out to her, but Alexandra doesn’t turn around when I get close.
“I needed time to decide if this was the life I wanted. It has nothing to do with our previous breakup. I don’t regret being with you ever. It killed me to break both our hearts,” she says, turning slowly as her long, burnished-red hair wafts in the wind. Her beautiful eyes glow the color of the ocean behind her.
Stepping in closer, I brush a hand down her face. “I would change so much. I was an asshole and should’ve come after you back then. I should’ve demanded to know the truth.”
She slowly closes her eyes, and a soft smile graces her lips before she quips, “Yeah, Mindy was a mistake.”I don’t deny that.
“I didn’t sleep with this woman, and before getting together with you at the retirement dinner, I hadn’t been with another woman in over three years.”
She opens her eyes, and something fires in them.Mischief, maybe?“So, I took your virginity again?”
I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Yeah, but I soaked you in my baby batter.” She laughs, and it releases something in my chest that’s been clenched tight since she shut me out.
“As I said before, I need time to consider if this is the life I want for our children. They must be my priority now and forever.”
“Children? So, you’re pregnant.” I pull back as the words choke in my throat. My heart beats rapidly as the realization of what she’s said sets in.
“Three,” she smirks as tears roll down her face.
“Fuck, three.” I drop to my knees and open the sweater that’s secured tightly around her. She’s wearing a tank top underneath, and I kiss her stomach where our children are nestled, safe and sound. “I swear I’ll always protect you and these babies. I promise to walk away from this life if that’s what you want.” Her hands glide into my hair and tilt my face toward her.
“I’d never ask that of you; we just need to be safer. Also, I found the proof that it’s not you and have contacted your team owner. We know each other. She is setting up a press conference on Tuesday so you can play in Thursday’s game.”
I quickly stand and bundle her into my arms as I kiss her desperately. When we finally pull apart, the words just flow. “Marry me?”
“No,” she snickers. “Not yet. We need to date and get to know each other again.”
“Alexandra, we know each other. Years ago, it was clear that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m not taking no for an answer. Before these babies arrive, you will have my name.”
