Page 30 of Lucky 22

“I don’t date a lot because I don’t have much downtime,” hegoes on. “And I’ve never met anyone who made me want more time away from thefield.”

The lopsided grin he gives me is endearing, but I don’t wantto say anything until he’s done.

“My career is everything to me. I live, breathe, eat, andsleep baseball. I don’t like to take my focus away from it because an athletehas a short shelf life, if you know what I mean. If I don’t stay at the top ofmy game, my career is over.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m not ready for thatyet.”

“O-kay…” I draw out the word. I’m feeling some mixedsignals.

Does he want to be with me but can’t because of his career?Because that’s where I feel this is leading.

“This last week has been one of the best I’ve had in a longtime. And honestly, I didn’t see it coming.”

I laugh nervously. “Me, neither.”

“Here’s the thing. This injury requires me to work with the team’strainer. The physical therapy will be pretty intensive if I want to be in topform for next season.”

Ugh. He’s dragging this out, and I don’t even think before Iblurt out, “It’s okay, Christian. I get it. We had a great time, but thetiming’s off for us. You need to deal with your injury. Maybe when you’refeeling better, we can try again. Or not. I’m not really sure what you’rethinking.” I let out a small huff. “And now I’m just rambling because I swore Iwas going to stay quiet until you were done talking. But I feel like you’retrying to let me down easy, so you’re taking the long way around.”

I hate that I can feel tears stinging my eyes, but I forcethem back and keep going.

“I totally get dedication to your career. Heck, I grew upwithout any real friends because I spent so much time and energy focusing onevery kind of lesson out there that would help me become an actress.” I closemy hand around his and force myself to smile. “Am I disappointed because Ireally saw this going somewhere? Yes. But I can honestly say that it’s okay.” Igive his hand a little squeeze. “I promise.”

He doesn’t say anything, and his expression doesn’t change.But when I go to pull my hand away, he holds on.

“Ella Rose, the last thing I want is to disappoint you, andeven though I appreciate you saying that you’ll be okay, that’s not what I wasgoing for.”

I’m confused again. “It’s not?”

Shaking his head, I catch a glimpse of a smile. “No. What Iwas trying to tell you—in my very slow and roundabout way—is that Ihave to go to Arizona to work with the trainer.”

“Why Arizona? I thought with the stadium being here…”

“Our training facility is in Tempe. That’s where most of ourstaff is.”

“Oh.”

“I’ll be gone for a month, and that disappoints me because,well, I’m going to miss you. I hate that we’ve had this amazing week, and now Ihave to leave.”

Relief washes over me like a wave, and I’m not sure if Ishould laugh or cry.

My breath is shaky as I release it. Those tears still stingmy eyes, but they’re happy tears now.

Sort of.

“Okay, then,” I say. “We’ll still be able to talk on thephone and…and…” Then I pause. “So, you’ll be gone a month?”

“Yes, four weeks. But I’m hoping maybe I can get it done inthree.”

“Oh. Okay. And when do you leave?”

“Sunday. Right after our last game.”

In less than three days.

“Wow. Um…” Another long breath. “This is totally doable.It’s not great, but we’ll make it work.”

Again, he doesn’t respond right away, but I know there’smore coming.

“You should come with me,” he blurts.