Page 20 of Walk Off

“Ruby, Dallas and Cassidy knew before tonight and now you and Hannah.”

“What about Jasmine? What does she know about her dad?”

She shook her head. “I try to tell her he’s a good guy, but how is she supposed to believe that when he’s not around? Really, I’m the bad parent. I’m the parent who’s been lying to her all these years.” She looked up at her friend. “He’s going to take my baby from me.”

Zara hugged her tightly, rubbing her back. “We won’t let that happen. I don’t know everything, but I know you aren’t a bad person. And you’re a great mom.”

They spent a few more minutes in the stairwell before Zara coaxed her up and to her room. After changing out of her bridesmaid dress, she sat down on the bed and told Zara the whole story from the beginning.

From the day she met Kyle and her life changed in the blink of an eye.

When she finished talking, when every last piece of information was said, Zara finally spoke.

“That’s...holy shit, I don’t know what that is.”

She felt herself smile. Zara was always good at making that happen. “I lived it and even I think it’s insane.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to tell him. I have to.” She toyed with the hem of her t-shirt. “I’d already decided to tell him before he showed up here. Him being in town is like a freaking sign that I need to do it now.”

“What do you need from me?”

“Can you get his number from Heath? I don’t want him to leave before I can meet up with him.”

“Done.” Zara was already on her phone texting away. “If you need backup or reinforcements. I can come with you when you tell him.”

“No.” Celia shook her head. “I need to do this alone.”

“There you go.” She tapped a few buttons on her phone. “You have his number.”

Oh shit, this was real. She was going to have to text him.

Lifting her phone, she tapped on the number Zara had forwarded to her. A new text box opened up.

It was now or never.

Celia:

Kyle, this is Celia, I’m wondering if you could meet me tomorrow to talk.

She didn’t have to wait long for a reply. Three dots appeared immediately.

Kyle:

My plane leaves at three but I can meet in the morning.

Tell me this, are you okay?

Celia:

Let’s meet at 9 at the coffee shop across the street.

Celia:

I will be.

She set her phone on the bed facedown, or else she’d text him again. She knew herself well enough to know when she did and didn’t have control. And she knew that the one person she was never in control with, was Kyle.

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