Page 66 of Walk Off

“The man wants to be with you even after everything that’s happened. He practically told you that he’s never gotten over you. And what do you do? You tell him no. You, the woman who has loved him all these years.” She shook her head. “What I don’t understand is why? And don’t tell me because of Jasmine. You can’t use your kid as a reason not to be happy.”

Cassidy’s words took a minute to sink in. When she finally wrapped her head around everything she said, Celia looked her friend in the eyes and asked, “What if it didn’t work out? What then?”

“That’s the chance you take when you love someone. It’s scary and difficult, but in the end, it’s worth it.”

She knew that if they got together and it didn’t work, he’d still do everything in his power to be a good parent to Jasmine. Cassidy was right. She was using her kid as an excuse. The question was why? Why didn’t she want to be happy?

“You have to stop letting your mom dictate your life, even after all this time. You did the right thing by cutting her out of your life, but now, you have to cut her from your brain.”

Cassidy’s words were like a punch to the gut.

The last thing her mom had said to her when she and Ruby left for good was that she was a worthless whore. That just because she was having a baby didn’t mean that the kid would love her. That she’d screw up and choose a man over her kid, just like she’d done.

Those words had stuck in her head all this time. It was why she’d held off on dating so long, and it was definitely why she was pushing Kyle away. What if she ended up just like her mom? Choosing the guy instead of her own kids? What then?

Her words came out choked. “What if she’s right?”

“Fuck that,” Cassidy said. “She wasn’t, and do you know how I know that? Because you are turning away love to protect Jasmine. He loves you, Cel. And I know you love him. Yet, you are refusing to see it because you don’t want to hurt your kid. That's some amazing parenting right there. Protecting your kid with no concern for your own future or life is the ultimate sacrifice. My mom did it for me and you’re doing it for Jasmine.”

Celia wasn't so sure. Was it really protecting her if she let herself love Kyle and then things didn’t work out? She might know that he would never walk out of Jasmine’s life, but wouldn’t them being together and then apart, still hurt Jasmine?

She wasn't sure.

This was not going to be a decision she made on a whim while drinking. She needed to be level-headed and think things through.

Being smart was the only way she’d get through this.

Or, so she thought, until she got home.

Benji and Jasmine were at the table coloring and sitting beside them was a box.

“Hey, guys,” she said. “What’s in the box?”

Benji looked up at her. “No idea. It was delivered a little while ago. I’ve had a heck of a time keeping Jazz from opening it.”

“It has my name on it, Mom.”

Celia looked down at the top of the box and sure enough, Jasmine’s name was on it along with hers. There was no return address. “Well, why don’t we see what it is.”

“Yay!” Jasmine jumped up from her chair, running around the table until she was right next to her. “Can I do it?” She looked up at Celia with excitement in her eyes.

“Go ahead.”

She watched as Jasmine tore into the box, somehow easily ripping it open. “There’s more boxes,” Jasmine said.

Celia looked inside and sure enough, there were two more boxes inside. One with Jasmine’s name and one with hers.

“There’s one for each of us,” Jasmine said.

Celia looked over at Cassidy with a questioning glance. Could Kyle have sent this?

Cassidy seemed to know what she was asking without her even needing to say the words. “You won’t know until you open it.”

Jasmine was already tearing into hers and let out a shriek of excitement when she saw what was in her box. “It’s a new leotard and soccer cleats!”

Celia leaned over Jasmine’s head and looked inside the box. Sure enough, there was a brand new leotard and a bright shiny pair of new cleats. There was also a note.

“It’s from Dad.” Jasmine pulled both items from the box, hugging them to her chest. “I love them so much!”

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