“But you’ll be a pro. That’s all that matters. Hasn’t that been the goal for both of us right along?”
“Of course.”
He didn’t answer. He folded his arms and looked away.
Oh shit,I thought.If he doesn’t have a smartass remark at the ready, something must be seriously wrong.
I could guess that it was probably the fact that I would be going pro and he would be stuck in college. It could become a point of contention between us. I wasn’t stupid. Maybe getting drafted didn’t specifically break up couples, but I was smart enough to recognize the danger.
“Is everything all right?” I asked.
“Yeah, I think so.”
“If you’ve got something on your mind, you might as well come right out and say it.”
“It’s just that… if you’re in the pros, how are we going to make this work?”
I cupped both of my hands over Jakob’s, again not giving a shit if people at the other tables saw it.
“Everything’s going to work out just fine,” I said. “You might worry I’m going to be all successful now and leave you behind. I give you my solemn oath that it won’t happen.”
“When the hell has something that you said meant anything?”
“Trust me, there’s a first time for everything.”
After dinner, we went to Delaware Park. It was cold out, but I told Jakob that the fresh air would do him good. For once, I wanted to do something romantic.
We strolled down a hill and glanced across Hoyt Lake at Shakespeare Hill, where outdoor Shakespeare plays are performed each summer. The sky was clear, making way for the biggest collection of stars I’d ever seen in the city.
When I paused, Jakob kept walking for a few paces and then a few more before he finally realized that he’d left me behind. Then he hurried back.
“Sorry about that,” he said.
“Pay attention, would you?”
I wanted to score as many digs on him while I still could.
“You told me earlier that you were worried about how we were going to make things work if I’m in the pros and you’re still stuck in college like a hopeless amateur.”
“That’s not what I said, and you know it.”
I smiled hugely, reminding him once more that I could give as well as get. Knowing Jakob, he would twist that into a sexual innuendo.
“Okay, all right, I just want to get down to business here,” I said. “Think you can handle that?”
“Business? Zane, what the hell are you talking about?”
“Come on, Jakob, you didn’t really think I brought you here for no reason, did you?”
He didn’t answer. I would take that over the umpteenth smart remark.
I dug into my pocket without letting him see what I had in my hand. I opened my hand so he could see a ring box.
And then I fell to one knee.
His eyes widened, and I just know he wanted to crack wise, but he stopped himself.
“Jakob,” I said, taking his hand. “I know our history has been a little rocky, but something inside keeps telling me it’s all been for a reason. It’s because we’re supposed to be together.”
