Emery shakes her head. “They’ll still be his family if he lives here.”
I put my hand on my hip and point out the window where we can see Matt and the other guys walking down the sidewalk. “We met just a few days ago.”
Emery grabs me by the shoulders. “That doesn’t matter.”
I’m ready to argue with her, but she shakes her head. “Think about how he makes you feel. Then tell me if you’re ready to not feel that anymore. And be honest with yourself. You don’t have to tell me or Tara or Becca, but be honest with yourself. Do you want to lose him and not even let him know what you’re feeling or what you’re thinking?”
Her words hit home. I know she’s right. I can just tell him. Maybe we can still talk or we can visit each other. It doesn’t have to be completely over. He’ll be here next season if nothing else. “Okay, I’ll talk to him.”
The girls are all happy. Tara instantly starts shaking her hips, dancing across the checkerboard floor. Becca is happy for me. She hugs me and then gets back to work. It’s almost time for Emery and me to leave for the day, and so for the next hour, I try to figure out what I need to say to him.
If he goes or stays, I’m going to at least make sure he knows what I’m feeling. I owe myself that.
Chapter 12
Matt
I know I’m making the right decision. I put the plans into motion the third day after I met April. Some would say I’m crazy, but I don’t care. I have to follow my heart on this one. The only thing that’s freaking me out is what is April going to say? But I’ve made this decision, and even if she’s not happy with it, I’m not giving up.
She’s leaning against the brick wall of the bakery when I pull up. I jump out and run around to open the door for her. “Sorry I’m late.”
She walks toward me, smiling. “It’s okay. I should have driven. I’m sure you have a lot to do tonight.”
I kiss her and help her into the truck, ignoring her comment. There is a lot I still need to do, but it can wait.
I grunt instead of agreeing with her. Now that it’s here, I’m nervous. I go back to my side and climb in. “What do you want for dinner?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t care. I’m not really that hungry.”
I shift in my seat as I pull out of the parking lot. “I ate at Red’s and then had those cupcakes. But you need to eat something.”
She shrugs. “It’s fine. I can fix a sandwich at home.”
I drive us to her house, our hands on the console between us. Our fingers are threaded together. It takes mere minutes, but it seems longer since we’re both so quiet. She clears her throat as we pull in. “Uh, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
I squeeze her hand. “Me too. I mean, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“You first,” she says.
I take a deep breath. “Can we go in? Maybe sit on the couch and talk for a minute?”
She nods and lets go of my hand. I follow behind her with my hands shaking. I can do this. I have to do this.
We get inside, and she puts her purse down and goes to the couch. Her back is ramrod straight, and for the first time, I realize she’s on edge too. “You’re nervous.”
She lets out a breath and giggles softly. “Well, yeah, I guess I am.”
I take a deep breath and sit down next to her. I sit close so our legs are touching. I wrap my hands around both hers. She leans toward me, and I’m staring at her. Dare I say, she’s looking at me with hopefulness on her face. Fuck, I hope I’m right.
“I don’t know how to say it, so I’m just going to say it.”
She leans back a little, and I hold her hands tighter. “I’m not leaving.”
Her mouth falls open. “You’re not leaving? What does that mean, you’re not leaving? Like now, tomorrow? Are you leaving next week?”
Her questions are quickfire, but she’s still frowning at me. I scoot closer and clear my throat, searching her eyes, hoping to see some hint that she’s happy about this. “No, I’m not leaving at all. I’m moving to Whiskey Run. Josh found me an apartment in town. I’m signing the lease tomorrow, and then I’ll move out of my apartment in Jasper. I mean, I’ll be here until spring training starts. I’ll have to travel with the team for games and all that, but I’m making Whiskey Run my home base.”
She opens her mouth and then closes it. Then does the same thing again. I’m on the edge of my seat, grasping for something. “Say it. What are you thinking?”