Page 62 of Walk Off

Shawn nodded and Kyle took that as his sign to go on.

“I didn’t know about Jasmine when I first saw her at the wedding.”

“Jasmine?” Shawn asked.

“That’s her name. My daughter.” He couldn't stop the smile that turned his lips up. He loved her and just saying her name made him happy.

“That’s going to take some getting used to. You having a daughter.”

Kyle laughed. “Not for me.” He went on with his story, telling Shawn about their night together, leaving out the details of the amazing sex. Then he told him about the next day when he met her at the coffee shop and she told him about Jasmine. He needed to know that in the beginning, he was angry and upset and so fucking hurt.

“I was devastated. I had a child that she’d never given me the chance to know. I thought I’d hate her forever. The problem was that while I hated her for that, my body didn’t seem to understand. I wanted her more than ever and those two parts of me were colliding.”

“What happened after that?”

“Dallas Ramos, who just so happens to be married to Celia’s sister, Ruby, came to find me. We talked and he told me a few things. One was that he’d almost lost Ruby because of the lie Celia not only kept from me, but also the one she’d told Ruby. Ruby thought we’d had a one-night stand and that after finding out she was pregnant, I gave her money for an abortion.”

“Why would she do that?” The disgust was evident in Shawn’s voice.

“Celia and Ruby had a mom who didn’t care about them. Even worse, she belittled them. Celia didn’t know what to do. She also knew that if she told her sister that we were in a relationship and in love, Ruby would be more apt to force the issue of us being a couple.”

“That’s what I don't understand. If she loved you like you say she did, why didn’t she want to be with you and raise the baby with you?”

“She knew me and knew I would give up everything to take care of her and Jasmine. She knew how much I loved baseball and how good a chance I had at making it big. But, she also knew how much I craved family and love. At first, I was pissed that she’d used my love of baseball and my lack of love from family against me. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized she was right. I would have done anything in my power to keep her, and that includes giving up baseball, if it had been needed.”

“Well, shit.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Knowing you as I do, I think she might have been right. But I still don’t know how you’ve obviously so easily forgiven her.”

“I love her, and love is more important than hate and holding a grudge.”

“So what, you guys are together now?”

Kyle let out a half-hearted laugh. “Don’t I fucking wish.”

“Uh oh, this doesn’t sound good.”

“She’s afraid that if we start something and it doesn't work out, it could hurt and confuse Jasmine. And I agree with her. Except, I love her and want them both in my life, forever.”

“Have you told her that?” Shawn lifted an inquisitive eyebrow.

“No, but I have a plan to make her fall in love with me.”

He groaned. “Dude, tell her you love her and be done with it. Plans are a bad idea. Plans go awry and cause issues. Plans are bad. Bad, bad, bad.”

He blew his friend off. “She’s not ready for that yet. Slow and steady wins the race.”

“Says the turtle, but do you know who’s already at the finish line drinking a beer and living his life? The rabbit. Be the rabbit.”

“It’s a hare, not a rabbit. And the hare doesn’t win.” He should know. He’d read that book with Jasmine one night.

“That’s because it’s a story, and a stupid one at that.”

“If we’re going to argue over a fictional story, can we at least go back in and have another drink and maybe some tacos?” Kyle pointed to the building.

“Fine.” They both stood. “Now, what amazing things did you tell this daughter of yours about me?”

“Oh, that's easy. I told her you were full of shit and didn't know the plot of a kid’s book when it was right in front of your face.”

“Not fucking funny, man.”

---