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I held my breath.
One.
Two.
Three seconds.
Those three little dots popped up, indicating that she was typing. Then, they stopped. I rubbed at my brow. Seconds seemed to last eternity.
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t rough.
Her text was like a direct punch in the gut.
I knew she was crying right now, and all I wanted to do was hold her, wipe her tears away.
So, I typed out the words.
I’m sorry.
Because I was sorry she was going through this, that Alec had found out that way, before we had a chance to tell him properly.
I began typing again. Then stopped. Then said what I wanted to because when did I ever not say exactly what I wanted to?
I inhaled deeply, my fingers paused on my cell.
I closed my eyes and typed it quickly. Even though it felt too raw. I felt too vulnerable. But she needed to know.
I love you.
I held my breath, hoping for a reply, but after a few minutes and no more dots on her side, I typed out:
Good night. Try to get some rest.
She responded this time.
Good night, Austin.
I clung to hope that her vaguegood nightwasn’t good-bye.
And I didn’t get an ounce of sleep.
* * *
I was cranky, pushing my clothes into a suitcase. My flight would leave tomorrow at five in the evening. If I had any chance of playing this season, of upping my game for a shot at the Cy Young Award, then I had to be on that plane.
I hadn’t heard from Sydney all day. I’d called her and left her a message, asking her if she was coming. It was barely noon, but I needed to know now, like I needed to eat a few hours ago. It seemed as though my appetite was gone with the stress of everything.
So, I was an irritated asshole. I reached for my phone again that I’d chucked on the bed. There was no text or missed call.
I gripped the top of my head.
I needed a face-to-face with her.
Maybe I should just accept the fact that she wasn’t going, that she had too much to deal with, but the damn optimistic side of me was still hopeful.
I placed my phone in the back pocket of my jeans and reached for my keys on the side table. If she wasn’t picking up my calls, I had to find out from her directly.
Just when I was about to put on my shoes, the doorbell rang.
