We’d run into each other at the All-Star game and made plans to grab a drink together since it had been so long since we’d seen each other. One thing led to another, and our evening ended in his hotel room.
I see the old him wanting to emerge, wanting to close the gate between us. But instead, he says, “Okay…”
I run my palms down my legs and sit up straighter. “It was an amazing night, and I only slipped out while you were sleeping to get us some food. But as soon as I shut the hotel room door, Foster was coming out of his room.”
“I forgot he was there,” Decker says, probably recalling that they were on the same team. He told me that night it was the most uncomfortable game he’d ever played. “Did he say something?”
I shake my head. “He just stared at me, then your door, and made a sound and shook his head. It wasn’t a good sound.”
He frowns. “I didn’t think it would be.”
“I got all up in my head, started spiraling. I didn’t want to get between you guys. A video showed the two of you talking during the game, and I thought, ‘There’s no way I can get in between them again.’ I thought he’d always be between us—whether you had a relationship with him or not. And what if we did try to make it work, and I introduced you to Hazel? What if she fell in love with you and then you left? Seeing Foster scared me. Because I felt that if it came down to it, you wouldn’t pick me. You’d have to choose, and I would be the one left behind like all the times before.”
Decker takes my hands and pulls me over to him, positioning me on his lap. “You don’t have to tell me any of this. I put that shit aside the minute we started this.”
“I know, but now with Hazel…”
He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “It’s okay. It’s only been a few months. It was a long hard road to get here. I understand that it will take some time for me to earn your trust.”
I shake my head. “That’s just it… when you told Hazel you’d be her daddy someday, I didn’t feel any fear. I knew it was the truth. I’m not scared anymore, so I want you to know something else.”
“Okay.” He waits patiently for me to finish.
“I know you may get offers from other teams, that the Colts aren’t promising anything. What I’m saying is that wherever you go… we go.”
“Pen.”
“Yes, Decker. We’re not going to do this cross country. So, don’t worry about any of that when you’re talking to other teams. Make the best choice for you, and we’ll be by your side.”
He nods, although I know it will be one of many times I have to reinforce my point.
Hazel runs down the stairs in a new outfit and digs into her backpack from camp. “I forgot. Look what Bodhi gave me today.” She rummages through and comes over, handing something to Decker. “One of the bakeries is making these.”
Decker looks at the All Hands on Deck #HandsOffDecker cookie in the shape of a hand and shakes his head.
“Everyone wants Decker, Hazel, but guess what?” I pat Decker’s other leg, and she crawls up on it.
“What?”
“He’s all ours.”
She smiles at Decker and wraps her arms around his neck. “Yeah, he is.”
I kiss his temple, and we all share a hug.
No matter where we land, we’ll be together.
Chapter
Forty-Nine
August
Penelope: [link to the Noir Cologne ad]
Decker: I know. Easton keeps playing it.
It’s everywhere
