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“I got it. I’ll take it slow and be sure to hold onto the handrail,” I assure him.
“I’m coming with you.”
“Good.” I lean forward and press my lips to hers. “I need my back washed.” I wink at her, but she doesn’t smile as I had intended. “Baby, I’m fine. I promise. It’s a mild concussion. I’ll be back on the field in no time.” She eyes me suspiciously but helps me stand and follows me upstairs.
“I needed that,” I say, taking the towel that Joey offers me. She showered with me and insisted I sit on the bench while she washed me from head to toe. I should shower at home after a game more often.
She holds out her hands, helping me step out of the shower. I don’t tell her that I can do it on my own. I let her have this, taking care of me. To be honest, I’ll take whatever she’s willing to give me. After the silence between us this weekend, I’m ready to soak up anything and everything she has to offer.
“You hungry?” she asks once we are both dressed and in bed.
“No. I just want to hold you for right now.”
“I like this plan.” She snuggles closer, resting her head on my chest.
“I missed you.” Those three words are the best I can do, but they don’t even touch the surface of the last few days without her.
“I missed you too. I’m sorry I went radio silent. I just needed to wrap my head around all of this madness and the fact that it’s mostly because of my… because of Lucinda.”
Did you hear that crack? That was my heart breaking for her. This woman in my arms has so much love and light to give. My Sunshine deserves so much better than what she was born into. Sure, she never wanted for anything. But to never feel loved by your mother and have a father who tosses around orders and money like it’s a good substitute for his time and love, causes an ache in my core for my beautiful girl.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“How are you so calm about all of this? What my dad said, my mom and her vile actions. My parents are tearing your world upside down, and yet you’re eerily calm about it all.”
“They’re not tearing my world upside down, Joey. You are my world. You’re here next to me where you belong. My arms are holding you close, and I know we’re going to be okay. That’s all that matters to me.”
“You could be traded. Of all the things I thought might tear us apart, I never imagined it would be my parents.”
“They won’t.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I’d give it all up first.”
She lifts her head to look at me. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
I cradle her face in the palm of my hand. “I’m not kidding. I never kid when it comes to you and how much I love you.”
“This is your career. Your livelihood.”
“Sunshine, I’m twenty-nine. I have a handful of years at best before I retire. This game is taxing on your body, and well, it’s not all I have to live for anymore. I have you,” I say, lowering my voice. “I want to build a life with you. Buy a house, a ring, have some babies. I want to be there for all of it. I meant it when I saidI’ve invested well. I could walk away today with no regrets and no financial strain.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“It’s my decision, and if that’s what it comes down to, I’ll walk away without a second thought.” Tears well in her eyes as she shakes her head. “You’re my everything, Sunshine.”
A sob breaks free from her chest, and she buries her face in mine. “I-I love you.”
My hand traces up and down her back, soothing her. “I love you too,” I assure her, over and over again.
Eventually, her cries quiet, and when her breathing evens out, I know she’s fallen asleep. Only then do I close my eyes, holding her a little tighter than needed. She’s back in my arms where she’s meant to be, and I’ll do anything, give up anything to see that she stays there.
Josephine Henderson is my happy ending.
CHAPTER
