Page 36 of Closing the Distance

Does she not want to see me play? I thought she’d really put it off because she hadn’t been feeling well, but what if she just doesn’t want to come?

The idea curdles the hope in my stomach. I don’t expect her to come to every game, but I’d love for her to try to watch at least one. I want her there in the stadium with my jersey on her body.

In my family, we all supported each other and showed up. Even now, my parents fly out as often as they can to attend my games—and my brothers’. I don’t know much about Lexi’s childhood, but I know it wasn’t filled with the kind of familial support mine was if her scars are anything to go by—and those are only the ones I’ve seen on the outside. The longer I’m with her, the more it becomes obvious she’s got scars on the inside she’s never let anyone see.

Alayna watches us more carefully as she sits down next to Dom and starts dishing up her plate. When my gaze slides around the table, everyone is darting glances between the food and Lexi and me. My jaw tics as my back teeth grind. This night is not going how I expected or hoped.

When conversation picks up, I lean over and whisper in Lexi’s ear. “You okay?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Frustration and unease builds, sliding up my back and making my body tense. “You aren’t eating, and you’ve hardly said a word.” Her eyes meet mine, and once again I wish I could read her better. I lower my voice even more, not wanting anyone to overhear. “These are good people. You don’t have to freeze them out.”

I know the minute the words leave my mouth they’re the wrong ones, which is only confirmed when her whole body stiffens.

“Um, if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.” She doesn’t even look at me as she pushes her chair back and looks to Romel. “Where’s your restroom?”

His brow furrows slightly, but it’s gone in a blink. “Third door down the hall on the right.”

“Thanks,” she mutters, spinning on her heels and making a dash to the bathroom without a backward glance. I watch her until she turns the corner and is gone from my sight.

“She okay?” Danae asks.

I rub the back of my neck, not sure what to do here. Should I follow her? Give her some space? “I’m not really sure,” I reply, feeling helpless. This night already wasn’t going great, and I’m pretty sure I just made it worse.

“This crew can be pretty intimidating to a newcomer,” Danae says with sympathy in her eyes. She would know, since she was thrown into our group without much warning.

“What should I do?”

She cocks her head to the side and then to the other, thinking. “It depends on her personality. Does she do better if you give her space?”

That helpless feeling grows. “I’m not sure, to be honest. We haven’t exactly been in this situation before.”

“Haven’t you taken her out on dates?” Gabe asks. “That can get pretty intimidating too, especially if the press finds out where you are.”

I shake my head before he’s even done talking. “Not really. She’s wanted to keep things low-key so she doesn’t have to answer questions from her students and the staff at her school if our picture is taken. We’ve only been out in public together a couple of times.”

Everyone nods in understanding. They get wanting to keep a low profile, especially Dom and Alayna, who’ve remained out of the limelight as much as possible since their PR-stunt-turned-real relationship started.

“Is the pretty lady okay?” Kay asks, her mouth half full of her bread roll.

Romel leans over. “I’m sure she’ll be fine, Princess.” He looks at me and nods with his head toward the direction Lexi disappeared to.

That’s the only push I need to go check on my girl. I can still salvage this night, but I can’t do anything if I don’t know what’s wrong.

And there’s only one person who can tell me.

TWENTY-ONE

I stare at my vacant reflection in the mirror, my hands gripping the sides of the countertop as I try to ground myself.

Romel has a gorgeous house, and it’s a far cry from any of the ones I grew up in. So far, in fact, I feel like an imposter for even being here.What am I doing with a guy like Ty? Or maybe the better question is what is a guy like Ty doing with me?

My nose burns as the threat of tears builds behind my eyes. Gah, fucking hormones. I’m so sick of being an emotional basket case. I’ve met pregnant women before, and while I was never friends with any, I don’t remember any of them talking about the emotional land mines everywhere. Or maybe it’s just my hormones further conspiring against me.

My gaze drops from my eyes in the mirror to the reflectionof my stomach. It’s still mostly flat, not much sign that there’s a little life growing in there, except for a small bit of pudge that I could brush off as bloat.

I have to remember the real reason Ty’s with me is because we’re having a baby. I can wish for more, but wishing’s never gotten me anything in life. I know better than most that reality is a cruel bitch just waiting for the next chance to tear me down. I rest my hand over my belly and close my eyes.

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