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“Every woman’s looking for that—even when they claim they aren’t.”
“That’s not true.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. What’s the reason? Never interested, scarred by some horrible guy, or too wild and crazy?”
Taran paused. “It’s complicated. I used to want the whole big love story. I had planned every detail of my wedding and even named my three kids. I wouldn’t say I’m scarred, because that tends to make people think there’s something wrong with me.”
“So, you’re not scarred, just had a bad experience?”
“Actually, the opposite. My fiancé was amazing. I could see our entire life. Our wedding, our first house, our first Christmas, our first child and grandchild. It was going to be one of those real-life fairy tales,” she said, remembering what she used to believe.
“Experience has taught me there’s no such thing.”
“No, I guess not. Jeremy was killed by a roadside bomb in Syria, and since that day, I can’t get back to a person who believes in the fairy tale.” She expected the typical I’m so sorry; that’s so awful reaction.
“I get it, totally different situation, but I lost my first love too. I used to crave a family of my own. My parents didn’t exactly create a loving family or a stable home life. They were like a fairy tale with a dark, dark end. But with my high school girlfriend, I thought I’d found everything I wanted. Our relationship ended in disaster, so bad it took me a while to try again. Then the next one ended with me receiving an invite to her wedding to another guy, and somehow, I’m the asshole if I don’t go.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Only you’re allowed to be jaded? Everyone else has to believe in love?” he grumbled, causing Taren to chuckle.
“I meant that it’s not fair they expect you to go. But I’m not jaded enough to say there is no such thing as love. I see it all over.”
“I hear you.” He cleared his throat before adding, “One of my”—there was a long pause. Taran wondered if the connection dropped, but finally, the guy continued—“brothers just got married. He’s got the whole package. A beautiful wife, great life, and I doubt it will be long before that turns into two point five kids since he already has the white picket fence.” He chuckled softly as he said it.
“My siblings are married with kids, and as far as I can tell, they’re both living their happily ever afters. Maybe it’s just me. I just can’t feel it anymore.” Again, she braced herself for some kind of I’m so sorry you’re broken reaction.
“Well, I’ll apologize then. You really aren’t looking for anything, even if you have two x’s.”
She wanted to respond, but the only person she’d ever heard that expression from was Danny Evans—and it wasn’t common. She closed her eyes and called his voice into her memory. She was terrible at recognizing voices. In the time before caller ID, she never would have survived, because she’d have had to ask “who is this” with every phone call. But she didn’t think this guy sounded like Danny.
“Unless I’m wrong and you don’t.”
“I’m definitely female,” she confirmed. But thoughts of the Evanses made her realize how personal this had become. New topic, Taran thought. “Are we going back in, or are we done?” Currently, they were sitting in the spawn city, not playing, and it’d been at least ten minutes.
“It’s probably a good time to just cut out. I have to get to work,” he said. He worked the oddest hours.
“Okay, see you around maybe,” she replied, and then unlinked from him.
Her phone beeped, and she glanced down to see an unknown number had texted her.
Unknown:Hey Taran. You said to let you know when everything was done. Sean just called and gave his final okay to start. Do you want to meet me at the stadium around 5 to go over what you want from me? Thanks Tim
The Metros were home for one more day, so it would be a good time to start to get to know Tim, see what he does outside of baseball in his home city before they left for a few games on the road. She replied back that she would be there and then sat down at her computer to jot down what she knew and assumed about the up-and-coming star.
