Page 52 of Forever Player

My friend laughs into the phone. “I thought I was seeing things, Brett. Green wasn’t a pretty color on you.”

“I’ve never been jealous in my life. I’m far gone on this woman. I want to make her mine. I want to marry her,” I confess, surprising even myself.

“Whoa. Brett, you barely know her,” Kaleb says, sounding alarmed.

“We’re soulmates. We were the same that night. We’re so much alike and I get her apprehension about relationships, but you and Maddie have turned me, Kaleb. I see what your relationship has done for my sister and nephew.”

“Shit, Brett, you’re going to make me cry,” Kaleb says and there isn’t an ounce of sarcasm in his voice. Finding Maddie has made my friend super happy for the first time in his life.

“Get it together, bro. I’m in a crisis. What am I supposed to do?” I ask him.

“Sounds like you need to be patient with her. You’ve been enlightened on love but if she is still scared, then you need to be there for her. You need to show her that no matter what, you aren’t walking away.”

“I asked her to move in with me but I don’t know if she will now. I have to leave this farm in just over a week, and I don’t want to leave without my girls.”

“Shit, Brett. You better find ways to show her you care. Those women are in your past and not the life you want,” he says. I knew all this before speaking with him but it feels good to talk about my feelings. Who the hell am I? Willow has ruined me and the truth is, I wouldn’t change anything about the way I am now because my life was meaningless before her.

“Thanks, bro. I’m a stubborn asshole. I’m going to show her I can be the man she needs. I just feel like her family members are also pushing her not to fall for me. No one here believes in love.”

“Convert them, bro,” he replies.

I laugh because who would have thought in a million years that Kaleb, of all people, would have shown me the power of loving someone.

I laugh so hard my shoulders shake and when I get off the phone with him, I feel like I have purpose. I sit down alone, eating my dinner, while missing my meals with Willow. She is nice to talk to and having Maylee hanging in the background with her cute sounds and sweet smiles is everything. I just saw them this morning but I miss their presence now. I just hope when Willow comes back, she will be willing to hear me out.

CHAPTERTWELVE

Willow

I carry Maylee’s detachable car seat up to Lucy’s front door, which is solid wood, and so big it looks like five doors put together. Her house is a mansion, the grounds are filled with perfectly manicured trees, bushes, and flowers. I don’t feel like I am in Sugar Meadow anymore.

Snow sprinkles down from the sky and the temperature is well below freezing as I ring the doorbell and wait. It doesn’t take long for Lucy to open the door, out of breath and holding her belly.

“I’m so happy you called.” She smiles warmly, waving me and Maylee inside.

“Thanks. It was nice to see you at the market. I haven’t been out much since I’ve been home,” I explain.

“Oh, I get that. I usually have Smith in day care but I kept him home with me these last few days because I wanted to spend some one-on-one time with him before this little one makes an appearance.” She rubs her belly. “Here, let me take your coat.”

I pass her my coat and we head inside to a family room. There is a large fireplace with beautiful stone facing. The fireplace is going and the room feels warm and cozy.

“Can I get you a drink?” she asks.

“I’m good, thanks. Maybe later,” I reply.

I unbundle Maylee from her car seat. The seat has a built-in blanket so I didn’t bother with a snowsuit today. I also put a cute little skirt on Maylee with tights and a matching shirt.

“Oh, look at you, baby girl. Aren’t you a sight,” Lucy says, palming her chest. “She is just so pretty, Willow, but then I wouldn’t expect anything else because she has a beautiful mama.”

“Thanks, Lucy.” I place Maylee on a floor mat she has set up and I place a little blanket under her chin in case she spits up. Smith comes over and says hi.

“Hi there, sweet boy,” I greet him. He smiles at me and then he gets into a crawling position and starts to show Maylee his toys. Maylee is getting her tummy time and can’t really interact with Smith, but she seems quite content nonetheless.

Lucy and I take a seat on the couch.

“It’s been a long while since we hung out,” she notes. “You were just dying to get out of Sugar Meadow.”

“I was, wasn’t I?” I sigh, feeling nostalgic about the past. “When that scholarship came through, I already had one foot out the door. Now I’m a physical therapist in New York City. I have great friends there. I made myself a life,” I share. Thinking of New York reminds me how much I miss my old life. I love being a mom, but I want to have my cake and eat it too.

---