Page 134 of Stealing Home

“Adriana. How are you feeling?” Ty asks.

“Good. Happy we are getting back to normal.” She tells him.

“Glad you’re doing good, sis. Heather is excited for girls’ day,” he says.

“Me too! Now you two go. I won’t be the reason for your lateness.” She shoos us out the door.

We leave the house and get in my truck. I’m quiet and it’s because my head is going a hundred miles a minute of all the things that could happen.

“Stop it, little brother. She’s going to be fine.” Ty tells me.

“How?” I ask.

“I know you. You did this after mom and dad died too. You’re worried about all the things that could go wrong. About what would happen if she weren’t here and worse if she leaves you.” Ty hits the nail on the head.

“You’re right. I don’t want her to leave. She tells me she doesn’t blame me, but I don’t know how she doesn’t.” I respond.

Ty laughs at what I just said. He full on laughs and it’s making me angry as fuck.

“Cole, I don’t mean to laugh, but how the hell is what happened your fault? If anything, let’s be real here. Heather hired A. I laid out that she was off limits. I’m surprised you haven’t thought about that already. I feel bad because I feel like I put a target on her back and Heather does, too.” He tells me.

“Crawford is a dick and his ego is too big. He doesn’t know how to hear the word no. That’s not either of your fault. It’s his. I let her out of my sight when there was a threat and I didn’t protect her.” I tell him.

I feel so much shame that I couldn’t protect her. The love of my life I let get hurt.

“Cole, you did protect her. You got to her before it was too late and rescued her. You did what you had to do to get to her. Don’t doubt that. She isn’t blaming you or acting that way, so don’t do it to yourself. If you do, all you are going to do is drive her away.” He tells me.

I think about what he just said. She hasn’t treated me any differently in the last week and a half. Adriana is herself. She has had a few nightmares, but that was the first few nights. She hasbeen amazing and I know she is going to see the team therapist this week, too. Maybe I should too.

“I know you’re right, but I still feel guilty. How is she supposed to trust that I’ll always be there to protect her, though?” I respond to him.

“You will not always be with her. You travel for work, she has a job too. Adriana doesn’t seem like the type that wants you hovering twenty four seven brother. She’s independent. She’s very much like Heather.” He says.

“I know. I’ll figure it out.” Telling him to end the conversation.

We get to the stadium, so I don’t have to worry about him trying to continue talking. We get out and head straight into the locker room. I make my way to my locker and get ready to head to the field for warmups.

King is starting on the mound today and that helps ease my mind a little bit. He walks out of the dugout and comes straight over to me.

“You good to go?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” I tell him.

“Liar, what’s wrong?” he questions.

“I’ll feel better when I have eyes on her, you know.” I tell him.

“How is Adriana?” He asks.

“She’s good. Healing up quickly. Minus the hand.” I answer.

“Good. She’s a strong one, Cole. Don’t doubt her when she says she’s okay. Trust her.” He lets me know.

“I know. Can’t help that I don’t want her to leave or get hurt again.” I tell him honestly.

He laughs at me. Why is everyone laughing at me for worrying about her leaving me?

“She’s so in love with you that’s not happening. And she knows you love her.” He tells me.

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