Chapter twelve
Changeup
Derby
It had been three days since Godwin’sleave me aloneemail.
I still couldn’t believe it.I wanted to curl up and cry, or maybe spend a few days hiding under a blanket.I didn’t even know what to do with it.After trying a few times to reach him with no luck, I gave it up and focused on my job.
We won two out of three games, then headed to Mobile for a break, which meant practice.It was nice to be in our own clubhouse for once.I slapped the ball into my glove, preparing to throw out some heat to some of our best hitters.
My heart wasn’t in it, though.
Garcia hit a long ball, right over the fence.
I shook my arm out, hoping to shake off everything else bothering me.It didn’t help much and made for a long practice.
The guys gave me hell in the locker room while I iced my arm.I should have expected it, but it was typical razzing.Everyone had an off day now and then, and at least this was during practice.But ultimately, I had to snap out of it.
I met Amy out front, she’d arranged to have my SUV driven down for me, so I could go ahead and head up to Brexlin, but I was debating getting a hotel and staying the night before heading out the next day.Because I was tired.And a little depressed.
She handed me the keys.“Uh, Derby, Before you go, I have to tell you about a weird call I had earlier.”
“Call?With who?My agent?”Who else would be giving Amy a hard time.
“No, no.It wasn’t like that.It was that Nancy from Ellis Homes.”
“Nancy?”That was Godwin’s admin.“What did she want?”
Amy blew out a long exhale.“She said she thought you should know that he’s miserable, and maybe you could do something about it.”
“What?”
“Yeah, because Godwin’s been a real bear to work with lately...Or something like that.She wanted you to stop by the office.”
“Oh.”I had no idea what that meant, but Amy wasn’t finished.
“I don’t know what happened between you, and I don’t want to.”She held up a hand as if to stop me from talking, but I didn’t have anything to say about it.“I know it isn’t my business.”
“Uh, you’re my friend.If you have something to say, I want to hear it.”
“Fine.You were both a lot happier together.If you can straighten things out with him, you should.He’s a good man.”
“Nancy said that?”
“We both said it.”
“I see.Thanks.”I tossed my duffle in the backseat and climbed in the SUV.His email was killing me.I could admit that.And according to what Nancy told Amy, it was killing him too.
I knew why he’d backed away, but I didn’t know what to do about it.
The drive to Brexlin was longer than ever.I went to Momma’s first and helped her with the last of the packing.She wasn’t quite moved in but insisted I stay with her in the new house.I agreed easily, but everywhere I looked, I saw Godwin.How could I not?He’d built this house.
The beautiful soft gray cabinets.He’d suggested we use quartz to keep the costs down but not sacrifice quality or beauty for counter tops.The open and spacious living area.The back porch.Every inch of the place echoed with Godwin’s touch.
Throughout the day, I was quite despondent.I could feel Momma’s eyes on me as we worked, unpacking the last of her boxes, but she didn’t say anything.
By dinnertime, I had to get out of the house.I felt smothered with Godwin’s presence, even though he wasn’t even there.I was about to tell Momma that I needed to go when she smacked me on the back of the head.
