Page 26 of Signs and Signals

“You go with them, Indya, I will keep an eye out for my future husband right here in this hallway,” Amara tells me with a little push in my back to force me in the direction of the locker room door.

“I guess that settles it then, lead the way, Atlas,” I say laughing.

The door to the locker room opens up and I am a little shocked that it is nothing like I was expecting. I thought it would be more like the boy's locker room in middle and high school, but it is the complete opposite. It is very modest, with rows of lockers, an area for showers, and a small lounge area. It has the same historical feel as the outside of the ballpark and the stadium itself.

Atlas sets Haven to her feet and kneels down before her.

I get guys’ attention. I have them go in a line to get surprise, okay?

I laugh at his broken sentences, and he gives me the squinty eyes, knowing I am laughing at the way he signs, which makes me laugh harder. Haven nods her head and pulls her bracelet bag out to hand to each player.

Do you want me to help you hand them out?

No, I do it.

Well then, guess I will just stand here looking awkward and be her interpreter. I am glad she is already so independent, but sometimes I wish she still needed me for things like this. I jump a little when Atlas yells out his demand to the team.

“All right, boys, let’s make a single file line, so you can meet Princess Haven. She has something special for each of you. Remember your manners, or it is me you have to deal with.” Atlas’s voice echoes in the room, but the guys all follow directions, and line up in front of Haven. Atlas has her sitting on the bench in front of the locker he was using to hold his bag while playing the game.

As soon as the first guy steps forward, he does a bow before Haven, which makes me giggle, and then lowers himself to his knees. What happens next, freezes my body, and takes my breath.

Princess. My name is Zander.

Tears fall from my eyes as each player signs the same words with their own names. Haven decided to stand so she can do what she thinks is a curtsey, but is just her squatting to the floor, since the guys are bowing before her. She greets each one, with a nod, a smile, a curtsey, and handing them their bracelet.

When all the players have each gotten their bracelets snug on their wrist, Haven turns to Atlas and signs:

Where’s the boss?

“I’m not sure what she is saying, Indya, can you repeat what she said?” his face, crestfallen, he didn’t know the sign for boss, which makes my pulse quicken. He has been practicing like crazy, and thinks he should be fluent overnight, which I told him many times, is not possible.

I repeat what she says to him, and he gives me a questioning look, then it dawns on him, she meant the coaches. He tells her he will be right back and heads towards another part of the locker room.

Atlas comes back with seven men, all ranging in size and age. I didn’t realize that baseball had so many coaches. Again, he has them line up and they too, sign their names, bowing. My heart is so full right now, I could burst open.

After Haven finishes spreading the bracelet love, each one with a baseball-themed charm and a sign language charm, to each of the guys, we grab Amara from the hall and head to the hotel room, picking up some food on the way. The aroma of freshly cooked burgers and fries fills the air, making our mouths water.

After we’ve eaten, Amara and Haven head to bed, both exhausted from the day of travel and excitement. The room is quiet now, the only sound is the gentle hum of the air conditioner. Atlas and I sit on the sofa that overlooks the pier, the moonlight casting a soft glow on the water.

“I’m glad you decided to come out here, Indy,” Atlas whispers, his voice barely audible so as not to wake Amara.

“Me too. I knew I missed you, but I didn’t realize how much until I saw you on the field. Haven was so excited to see you. Every time you were in the outfield or up to bat, she was so close to the window, she was hugging it. It was so cute to watch her watch you,” I tell him, my heart swelling at the memory. He beams, his eyes lighting up at the reaction Haven had to seeing him play baseball.

Before Amara went to bed, she informed me that if I wanted to go anywhere with Atlas, to go ahead, she had Haven for the night. So here we are, walking hand in hand to his room he’s sharing with Zander. The hallway is dimly lit, and the soft carpet muffles our footsteps. The anticipation builds with each step, the warmth of his hand in mine grounding me.

As we reach his room, he opens the door quietly, and we step inside. The room is simple but cozy, with a faint scent of his cologne lingering in the air. He closes the door behind us,and we stand there for a moment, just looking at each other, the unspoken connection between us growing stronger.

“Zander is out with the guys tonight, so he isn’t here right now and won’t be back until we leave in the morning. So, it’s just us. Would you like something to drink?” Atlas walks toward the little wet bar set up on the side of his room, which is even more prestigious than our suite. The soft lighting casts a warm glow, highlighting the sleek bottles and glasses.

I shake my head no, feeling a rush of warmth at his thoughtfulness. I just want to be near him, to feel the calm that envelops me inside and out when he is close. The room is filled with a comfortable silence, the distant hum of the city outside barely audible.

“Thank you again for inviting us here. We really are having a great time,” I tell him, my voice wavering slightly with nerves. After the way he treated Haven and what he taught the other players and coaches, I know I need to tell him everything he has wanted to know since we met.

“It’s no problem at all, Indy. I enjoyed having you three at the game, and getting to spend time with you is always a treat.” He turns to face me, his eyes softening with concern. “Why do you look nervous or scared all of a sudden? What’s going on? Is something wrong? Is it Haven?” Atlas’s voice rises slightly with panic, his brow furrowing.

“No, yes, I mean, yes, I am nervous, no, there isn’t anything wrong with anyone. I thought that we could talk for a while, before I go back to my room, you know, since we have some privacy. It’s about my past, and it’s something you deserve to know. I thought I would tell you about how I grew up, if that’s okay?” I can feel my hands trembling, and my voice shake as I speak. He just nods, eyes wide, not saying a word, in case I lose my nerve.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me. The room feels smaller, the air thicker. I know I need to rip the band aid off and get it all out there. I step closer to him, reaching out to take his hand, feeling the warmth and strength in his grip.

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