Page 93 of Wild Pitch
We settled into silence and watched the Bears play hockey. After the game was over, Jake headed back to his house—a townhouse similar to mine and only a ten-minute walk away. We had made do with phone calls and texts over the last few years, but damn, having him in town was nice.
I got ready for bed, calling Liam to follow. I texted Kylie, not wanting to add pressure on her but to show her I was committedto showing up. It was time to follow Jake’s advice since ignoring it had gotten me into this situation.
Me: Thank you for listening.
My phone showed Kylie was typing before the three dots disappeared. I watched my phone and had given up, setting it down on the charger on the nightstand. As I started to doze off, my phone lit up.
Kylie: I’m so confused.
Me: About what?
Kylie: I thought I had everything figured out. Don’t take this the wrong way—but I wanted to hate you. It would have been so much easier.
Kylie: But hating you also felt wrong.
Me: I could never hate you.
Kylie: Can I ask you a question?
Me: Anything you want.
Kylie: Did you miss me?
Me: Every second of every day. When I woke up in the morning, I had to force myself not to call you.
Kylie: Why do we hurt the people we love?
Me: I’m sorry.
Kylie: Please don’t say that anymore. I don’t want to hear you repeat it over and over. I believe you’re sorry, but that doesn’t mean I can forget.
Me: Can you tell me what I missed during the pregnancy?
Kylie: What do you want to know?
Me: Everything. But can you start with when you found out? Were you alone when you took the test?
We texted well into the night. The only reason I didn’t invite her over was that my rational brain knew that this wasn’t the best course of action. Building her trust would not happen by using her emotions to get her to move faster than she was ready.
CHAPTER 47
KYLIE
My parents picked me up on the way to the game. Kelsey and Kendra went separately, and we all parked in the staff and players’ lots.
Kelsey and Sam had been more than a little upset when I told them that Luc was the baby’s father. Sam felt betrayed by Luc. As his coach, he’d grown to see him as a friend. I assured him of Luc’s commitment once he learned about the baby.
Luc’s family was also in town for the game and would be there through the end of the first series. Jake’s first Minutemen start would be tomorrow night, and I had debated going to that game too. I remembered Jake’s support when I showed up at Luc’s place, and how he’d held me and made sure I got home okay. I would be forever grateful for that moment. Having his brother console me reassured me that even though I was in pain, Luc and I had something real.
We shuffled through the security lines, winding our way to our seats. Of course, we were behind home plate. Sam always did his best to keep Kelsey right where he could see her.
I wasn’t sure Luc would get my text, but I sent him a photo from our seats, letting him know where we were. We had talked late into the night, and I had missed more than just his physicalpresence in my life. I missed theknowingthat he was only a text away.
Luc: Come back to the family room with Kelsey after the game?
Me: Will your family be there?
Luc: No, I’ll be there. And I’d like to see you.
