Page 93 of Rain Delay

This has to be nerve-wracking for him, for sure. I threw it on him with no warning, but he’s a baseball player. He should be able to handle sudden news thrown at him if he can handle a pitcher throwing a fastball to the plate.

“Alright.” He finally says.

I grin at him. “You’ll come with?”

“Yeah, just promise me we won’t be there long.” He looks over at me. “I really would prefer not to be interrogated.”

“Now, that I can’t promise.”

He groans. “Are your siblings going to be there at least? Some sort of comedic relief if I need to run away from your father? In case I need to distract him from slaughtering me?”

“Now, why would he murder you, Wy?”

“Because I never truly apologized to them for hurting you…” he mutters, running a hand through his hair.

“I promise, you have nothing to worry about, babe.” I give his hands another reassuring squeeze. “I’m pretty sure my mom will be so excited to see you. A famous baseball player will be in her house,” I giggle, watching as his lips curl into a small smile. Letting me know that the tension is easing.

“Famous, huh?” he asks, leaning against the counter. “I have my wonderful girlfriend to thank for that.” Wyatt pulls me to him, giving me a kiss.

I smile against his lips, pulling back and putting both hands on his cheeks. “I’m only just a small fraction. You’ve done a ton of the work yourself, and I’m very proud of you.”

That last statement is something I could tell him a million times over and mean it with every fiber of my being.

Chapter 34

Wyatt

MY FINGERS TAPPED NERVOUSLY against the steering wheel as we made the trek up to Kimberly to Eliana’s house. It’s been a little bit since I had made this drive, and I was letting the nerves get the best of me.

Maybe if I drove into oncoming traffic? Maybe that would ease some of the nerves and anxiety.

“You’ve been really quiet this entire drive,” Eliana says, snapping me out of my daze. “You okay?”

I glance over at her and nod. “I’m fine, babe.” I lied.

“So we’re lying now, got it,” she grabs one of my hands, holding it tight in hers. “You’re gripping the steering wheel so tight your knuckles are turning white.” She notes softly.

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous,” I focus back on the road, seeing all the familiar sights of Northeastern Wisconsin. “Just praying your dad doesn’t cuss me out.”

“That was five years ago,” she pulls my hand into her lap. “We’re past that now.”

That was so easy for her to say. I know we were past it. I know I should move on from it, but the decision still weighed so heavy in my heart. I glance over at her, searching her expression for any hint that she was nervous too, only to find that she was cool, calm, and collected. Or was really good at faking it.

“And? He’s a dad, he doesn’t let shit go that easy. Especially if it’s about his youngest daughter.”

She draws out a sigh. “I’ve talked to them about us. They know what to expect when you show up with me.” Her thumb ran over the top of my hand. “If you have to, fake it until you make it.”

I nodded, trying to shove all the feelings down my throat and put a mask on.

I was really good at doing that when it came to baseball, why couldn’t I when it came to my feelings?

“HOW’S THE ANKLE BEEN?” Flora asks as she sets down a glass of water in front of me. “We watched that nasty slide you took the other night.”

I look up at her, giving her a nod as a thanks. “It’s been fine. A little sore, but I’m working with a trainer before games and at practices to make sure that I’m not doing too much.”

“Surprised Ellie here hasn’t been on your ass about it.”

Eliana and I look at each other, and I just smirk at her before I look back at her mom.