I drop my head. She came to me. She came to comfort me even with the Cy Young winner in her bed.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t want to bother you with Theo here.”
She pushes off the tree and wraps her small arms around me. “I don’t need to remind you how important you are to me, do I, Major Jameson?”
Major. I haven’t been called that in a long time.
Anniston insists that I am and will always be a major. When I argued and told her I didn’t deserve the title anymore because I couldn’t bear to fail another team again, she patted my leg in her loving way, ignoring my admission and said, “Well, Major, I am your Commander in Briefs, but you can just call me Commander. Welcome to your new team.”
When she said that, I tried really hard not to let the moisture that accumulated in my eyes fall. It did anyway. And do you know what she did? She fucking kissed it and stood, retreating to her room. Leaving me to deal with all the emotions she’d just stirred up.
“Cade.”
“Hmm?” I look down at her small body wound around mine. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve such a woman like her in my life but I’ll take it, no matter if it’s for just a short time.
“I said, I think you need some rest.”
I didn’t even hear her the first time. Maybe I do need some sleep. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You’re tired.”
Always the forgiver. That’s how Theo is still in the picture, I bet. He has to fuck up. No way he’s been an angel to her this whole time.
“I want you to take a sleeping pill tonight.”
I shake my head. “I’m okay.”
“Well, good. I’m glad to hear it but you’re still taking it.” Always the smart-ass. She pulls away to show me that it’s futile to argue.
Sighing, I surrender. “Fine.”
“Great!” She tugs at my hand, pulling us down the hill toward the house.
I guess the run is over without the extra mile. Thank goodness. I don’t know if I could have handled it today.
“So, we’re going to Washington with Theo?” I haven’t asked about it since I overheard her conversation with Theo’s coach. Truthfully, I have been so nervous that she would leave without me that I didn’t want to jinx it.
I keep talking about leaving, but when it comes down to it, I really like living with her. I know it’s wrong and I don’t deserve it, but what can I say? I’m a selfish bastard.
“Yeah. Are you excited?” She’s skipping, swinging our hands like a little girl. It’s hard not to smile when she acts like this.
“I don’t really know,” I admit honestly. “I’ve never been there and don’t really know what to expect.”
She scoffs and waves her hand like that’s ridiculous. “It’s like every other place. But the team is fun. It’ll be a good experience for you. We can call it our mini vacay.”
I chuckle at her easy nature about everything. Well, not everything. She can turn it off and give you a verbal lashing like some of my old drill sergeants.
“You really want me to come with you?” I ask pathetically. I can’t help it.
She stops skipping, skidding to a halt. “You go where I go. We’re a team, remember?”
I nod in affirmation, too choked up to speak.
She resumes skipping and under her breath mutters, “Stop being a dumbass.”
This girl. No wonder Theo would fight to the death over her. I’m starting to think I would, too.
Back at the house, I shower and change. Theo is lounging over the entire sofa, taking every inch of space he can. What a prick. He’s watching game footage while he scarfs down the peanut butter cookies Anniston made me. Taking a deep breath, I count to ten. Okay, more like twenty. I make my way over and ease myself into the recliner. I would rather be on the sofa. Eatingmyfucking cookies.
