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He left a month ago this week, and it’s been hard not being able to see him. This is the last week of spring training before he’s back, but waiting another week to see him didn’t work for Holden or for me. He bought me a plane ticket to come and see him since there are no classes.
When Peyton found out I was coming, she begged my parents to let her go. She and her friends had been planning a trip to the beach for spring break, and my parents were hesitant to let her go. All it took was me promising to keep an eye on her, and Dad loosened up the reins a little and agreed. We both had to promise to call him every day. I’m turning twenty-two soon, and Peyton is nineteen. Dad doesn’t care, though. He’s a papa bear, no matter how old we are.
“Don’t forget to call Dad. I wouldn’t put it past him to send a search party,” I say, only half joking.
“Don’t even joke about that,” Peyton grumbles. “What time is Autumn meeting you?”
“She flew down with Kate last night. I waited for you to be out of your last midterm so we could fly together.”
“Best big sister ever,” she says dramatically.
“I’ll be sure to tell Paisley you said so,” I taunt.
“I love you both equally.” Peyton grins.
“So, are your friends here yet?” I ask her.
“Karina is here. She flew down with her parents. Their flight was this morning at six or something like that. They’re staying in the same hotel as us, so I told her I’d call when we were checked in.”
“Do you have your pepper spray?” I ask her.
“Yes, Mom.”
“Peyton, you’re beautiful, and so is Karina. I don’t want the two of you getting abducted or worse. This world has some crazy-ass people in it.”
“I know. I promise we’ll be careful, and I’ll check in with you often. We’re really just planning to hang by the pool and on the beach. No crazy partying or drinking. Besides, Karina’s parents are here.”
“Yeah, Dad was excited to hear that.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s already called and talked to them.” She snorts out a laugh.
“That is a bet I’m not taking.” I join in her laughter. Our father is just over the top most of the time.
“When do you get to see Holden?”
“I want to get checked in and make sure you’ve met up with Karina, and then I’m going to go to where they’re practicing. I bought a ticket for today, but he doesn’t know. He thinks he doesn’t get to see me until later tonight.”
“Look at you going all out to surprise your man.”
“It’s just as much for me as it is for him. I miss him.”
“There isn’t a single doubt in my mind that the man isn’t going out of his mind with missing you. He’s crazy about you. You and Paisley managed to actually find men who love just like Dad loves Mom.”
“Yours is out there too. He’ll come into your life when you least expect him to. Trust me. I wasn’t expecting Holden, and we know Paisley wasn’t expecting Cameron either. Life just tosses him into your path.”
“Well, I know one thing. I’m holding out. I want that kind of love. I want a man who looks at me the way Holden looks at you. I won’t settle for less.”
“That’s my girl,” I say, giving her a hug. The flight attendant tells us we can exit the plane, so we reach overhead to grab our bags. Nervous energy courses through me. I miss Holden more than I ever thought I would or even could. I can’t wait to feel his strong arms wrap around me.
“So he has no idea you’re coming today?” Autumn asks.
“No. I wanted to surprise him by coming to watch practice. He’s not expecting me until tonight.”
“How did you manage to actually pull that off?” she asks. “That man is all up in your business.” She wags her eyebrows as we make our way into the stadium.
“Well, it helps that it’s been a month since we’ve seen each other in person. Otherwise, you’re right. I doubt I could have pulled it off.” I smile because Holden and I have become so close that I’m not sure where he begins and I end. We just fit together.
We make our way to the field to find our seats, only to find it mostly empty. “Excuse me, sir,” I say to a man and his two young sons. “Is training over for the day?”
“It is. They were only scheduled until two today.”
“Thank you.”
With a heavy sigh, I turn around and head back up the steps with Autumn hot on my heels. “It’s what, twenty minutes after two? He still has to be here. They have to shower and get speeches and shit, right?” she asks.
