Page 51 of Lucky 22

“My daily routine is very strict. It has to be. You’ve seena little of that side of me, but once spring training starts, it’s on a wholeother level.”

“That makes sense, but…”

“An athlete’s life is hard. Being an athlete’s wife is evenharder. So, I need to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”

“Christian, I can handle it. I promise.” I realize I maysound like I’m really angling for a ring, but that’s not it at all. I want himto know that I can be patient. I don’t want him putting any unnecessarypressure on himself.

But he’s still hesitant, like he doesn’t think I’m capableof understanding. “Okay, here’s the thing. Most people only see the fun andglamorous side of the game. They think it’s all sitting in the stands andcheering with the wives and girlfriends and families, then hanging out andcelebrating after. But it’s not. It’s a long season, especially if we make theplayoffs, and sometimes, it will be very lonely for you. Once spring trainingstarts, all the time we’ve been spending together will be over.”

I don’t want to jump all over that statement because I doget what he’s telling me. However, I also have a career that isn’talways conducive to being in a relationship. My time isn’t my own, and it’shard to maintain a life outside of filming.

Which is what I tell him. But he’s still frowning.

“Just know…I will always put you first and do everything Ican to set you up for success. In baseball, I put my teammates first, and youare now my most important teammate.”

Okay…

“We’re a team now. Me and you.” Pausing, I see him swallowhard. “I’ve never let anyone into my life before. Not like this. There’s noblueprint. In my heart, I see this season as something that will confirm thatwe are meant to be together.”

“But…?”

“But I can’t help but be a little nervous, because this maynot be the life you want. Like I said, it’s not glamorous. Our time togetherwon’t be what it has been, and—”

I silence his worries with a kiss. When I gently pull back,I caress his jaw. “I want you, Christian. And baseball is a part ofwho you are, so I’m going to want that, too. I get that it won’t be easy, andthere will be some adjustments, but at the end of the day, we get to betogether, so…I’m in.”

Now, he looks hopeful—but not too hopeful.

“Your career is really starting to take off. You have thisnew TV show, and everything you’re doing is in Hollywood. Everything will be inconstant motion. Flying back and forth, living out of suitcases, late-nightphone calls, and possibly long stretches of time where we’re apart.” He pausesfor a moment. “All I want is for you to be happy. That’s what means the most tome. But with all of these…I don’t know…obstacles, I guess I can’t help butworry a little.”

I’m glad I’m not the only one.

“I think we can both agree that this wasn’t something eitherof us planned for. Like, a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed anyone who toldme I’d be in love and dating a Major League Baseball player.”

“And I certainly wouldn’t have believed I’d be dating aHollywood actress.”

“We’ve got this,” I assure him. “We’re a team, and we aregoing to make this work. I’m up for the challenge if you are.”

That boyish grin finally appears as he nods. “I am. For you,Ella Rose, I am all-in.”

I’m a pretty awesome and understanding girlfriend, ifI do say so myself.

At least, I think I am.

When it’s time for Christian to leave for spring training,I’m excited and supportive, and we have a schedule in place for the times Iwill be there, and when I can’t. During the baseball season, there’s no timefor him to fly to see me, so if we want to see each other, I have to travel tohim. We are as prepped and prepared as we can be.

Still, I think he’s surprised by how smoothly it’s allgoing. I was fine handling my own travel, dealing with routine, his intenseschedule, his eating habits, the rituals he’s imposed on himself, and beingsupportive by not trying to take his focus away from his job. I understood allof it because it is the same for me, and Christian has been that way when I’mthe one filming for different roles. So, it’s not only me doing it. He’s doneit, as well.

Our biggest challenge, honestly, is time. We both want moreof it together, but we’re sacrificing it right now because we each have dreams.Careers that we have spent our entire lives working toward. And he was right;it is lonely at times. I miss him like crazy, even though we talkevery night, but I do my best not to let it show. Because as much as we’realike in our drive and ambition, I’m an actress. Even when I’m not okay, I canpretend I am. So, even though I miss him and wish things were different, Inever let him know that because I don’t want him to feel bad or guilty oranything negative.

I want him to know that I can be a good teammate, even whenmy heart’s a little sad. You know, sometimes you’ve got to fake it till youmake it. So, I do.

My first few visits to Phoenix were quick weekend trips.There weren’t any games, so we had some time to be together.

After he practiced.

My first proper introduction to his world is a team dinnerreception. I’m supposed to meet all the coaches, his teammates, and their wivesor significant others, and I am extremely excited about it. The thought offinally getting to experience being Christian Lucas’s girlfriend at a teamevent is a major step. He was already a plus-one for me at a movie premiere. Tome, this is the baseball equivalent.

The dinner is being held in one of the ballrooms of ourhotel, and as we ride down in the elevator, I grip his hand tightly.