Page 116 of Lucky 22

The life-changing role.

Wife. Partner. Lover. Teammate.

I glance at the clock again. They’re playing an eveninggame, and I know I need to be there. I know how much he loves having me at thegames. And it’s probably a good distraction for me. Well, that and looking forapartments, which I still haven’t finished doing. So…I walk over to the sofaand sit back down, pulling up the listings I had been looking at earlier beforeTracy’s call. I’ll make some decisions and follow them up with appointments.

Maybe by the time Christian and I are back here tonight,I’ll have made a decision about everything else.

Maybe.

We’re back at the hotel, and Christian has beentalking almost nonstop about how much he’s enjoying the new team’s dynamic.It’s clear that everyone is looking at him as the valued player he is, alongwith being a leader and someone with a strong work ethic and experience fromtwo World Series championship teams.

It’s an absolute joy to listen to him. I know he takes hisrole seriously, and I’m honestly thrilled that he’s getting the recognition hedeserves.

“I’m gonna grab a shower,” he saysafter giving me a quick kiss. “Will you order dinner for us?”

“Absolutely.” It’s nice having room service, and I’mseriously impressed that Christian’s being so flexible with his dietaryroutine. I know we’ll go right back to it as soon as we move into an apartment,but for tonight, I’m happy not to have to be the one preparing dinner.

When the bathroom door opens several minutes later, I don’tlook up. I’m sitting on the sofa, staring at Tracy’s email again. Christian’sfootsteps are lighter than they used to be. Cautious. Controlled. Like his bodyreminds him daily that it hasn’t forgiven him yet.

He doesn’t say anything at first, just walks over and sitsbeside me, his thigh brushing mine. Warm. Familiar. The most grounding thing inmy life. This time, I do look up and offer him a small smile.

“You’re quiet,” he murmurs. He doesn’t ask what’s wrong.He waits. He always waits.

I swallow hard and know it’s time. “I got an email today.”

He glances at my phone. “Audition?”

I nod. “Not just any audition.” My voice comes out softerthan intended. “It’s…big. Like, game-changing big.”

He smiles a little. Proud. Automatically proud. It makes mychest ache.

“That’s amazing.” He reaches up and caresses my cheek withthose strong, sure fingers. I lean into them. “We knew it was only a matter oftime before Hollywood really stood up and took notice.”

There it is. The part of him that believes in me more than Ibelieve in myself.

I exhale, pressing my lips together. “It’s going to bemonths of filming. Some of it is out of the country. And I just…” My throattightens. “We just got here. You’re still trying to get settled. Still healing.I don’t want to leave you. I don’t want you to feel like baseball has youfighting alone again. I don’t want…”

He reaches for my hand, and I fall silent because I alwaysdo when he does that. His fingers thread through mine, his thumb brushing slowcircles across my skin.

“Ella Rose,” he says quietly, “I never want you to shrinkyour life for mine.”

My eyes sting. “It doesn’t feel like shrinking. It feelslike…choosing. Like I should be choosing you.”

He turns to me fully then, his expression soft. “You arechoosing me. You choose me every day. But your career? Your dreams? Those are you,too. I don’t get to be the only thing that matters in your world.”

I laugh weakly, wiping under my eye. “Yeah, well…you mattera lot.”

He leans forward until his forehead rests against mine. Webreathe the same air for a moment. Our rhythm, our calm.

“So do you,” he whispers. “I don’t need you here to know youlove me. Being in the same city doesn’t define us. We’ve already done thedistance. We’ve already done the hard work. We’ve already survived…everything.”

I close my eyes. “But what if you need me?”

He smiles faintly. “Then I’ll call you. And you’ll yell atme for pretending I’m fine when I’m not. And we’ll figure it out, just like wealways do.”

My chest loosens a little.

“You deserve this,” he continues gently. “You’ve worked toohard not to walk through doors when they open. Don’t turn this down becauseyou’re afraid of leaving me. I’m not something fragile you have to guard. I’myour partner. I’m on your side. Always.”