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Fuck, I knew this was coming, something I hate but understand on some level.
“I can’t promise you that when that happens, I’ll be happy about it.”
He grins, leaning back in his chair.
“I wouldn’t expect you to, but it’s the game.”
He’s right. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. He tells me to go home and get some rest, so I heed his advice and leave, heading to my truck. By the time I get outside, everyone else is gone, including T.J. who I’m guessing is nursing an ice pack to his face and a smile crosses my face. Was it stupid of me to punch him? Absolutely. But I’m going home with a smile on my face, so there’s that.
13
Harper
Once I’m out of bed and ready to leave, I text Mel, asking her to meet me at the gym. She agrees, tells me she’ll meet me there. Just as I go to open the front door, my phone rings and I see it’s Josh, so I stop where I am and answer it.
“Shouldn’t you be at practice?” I tease, listening to his laugh as I lean against the front door, basking in the sound.
“Good morning to you too, gorgeous.”
I can tell he’s in his car from the sounds I can hear in the background, smiling at the thought of him driving and thinking about me.
“You alone in that car?” I ask, wanting to make sure none of his teammates are listening in.
“I’m alone, Sunshine, don’t worry.”
“I wasn’t worried. I just wanted to make sure that no one overheard our conversation.”
He bursts out laughing and I can’t help but join in.
“You thinking about saying some inappropriate things to me this morning?” he jokes but my laughter dies when I think about the fact that I haven’t seen his smile in over a week.
“I miss you…” I whisper, closing my eyes and fighting the heaviness in my chest.
“Aww, sweetheart, I miss you too. It’s almost over.”
I nod my head, taking a shuddering, deep breath.
“Harper. listen to me, Sunshine. I know this part of my job sucks. Trust me, I’ve never hated a road trip more in my life but I have one more series to play in Atlanta and then I’ll be home, okay?”
“Yeah, I know,” I murmur, realizing this is probably the last thing he needs right now. “God, I’m so sorry. This is probably the last thing you need right now. You need to think about the game today.”
Josh sighs, like he’s annoyed and for a split second I wonder if I should hang up before he says something I don’t want to hear.
“Listen to me. You are my girl and that means I want to know what’s going on in that head of yours. That includes when you miss me and when you’re struggling. Got it?”
“Yeah. But I’m still sorry for dumping all of that on you.”
“There is nothing to apologize for. What you fail to realize is that all of those things you just said? I feel them too. I miss you like crazy and it’s good to know you’re in the same boat.”
The smile grows with every second and as I take a deep breath, the heaviness starts to crumble.
“I do have to go, sweetheart. I just pulled into the stadium.”
“Okay, good luck.”
He chuckles low, and we say our goodbyes before I pick up my keys off the small table next to the door and head to the gym.
The second I walk up to the front doors of the gym, Mel and Henry are outside talking and from the way Henry’s arms are moving, I know something is wrong. The closer I get, they both notice and stop talking, turning toward me. I wouldn’t think anything of it if it weren’t for Henry’s concerned expression and the way Mel’s shoulders slump.
