Page 124 of Curveball

Arizona is on Layton’s lap as they giggle about something. They have their own little language. They’re so cute together.

Quincy places his glass down and looks at me. “I have something to say, and I need you to let me get it out before you jump all over me.”

“Oookay.”

“I want you to move back to Philly.”

“Quin—”

“You promised to let me speak.”

“Fine. But I’m not moving again. I’m staying out here, close to my mom.”

“I want to be close to you and our daughter. I more than recognize that I made several poor choices when I found out you were pregnant.” He runs his hands through his curls. “Hell, I know I’ve made several poor choices for years when it comes to you, but I love you. I want to be with you.”

I shake my head but keep my mouth shut. Arizona and Layton are suddenly very quiet, paying close attention.

“I know you don’t trust me, and I understand. I don’t deserve your trust, but I want the opportunity to earn it. Justknow that I do love you, and I love our daughter too. Every fucking concern I had about myself as a parent went right out the fucking door the first second I saw her and held her. Please don’t keep her away from me on the other side of the country. The Anacondas haven’t traded you. You had this baby two months ahead of schedule. With a lot of hard work, you can be ready for your season. You can only do that with certain resources and support. My new house is finished. It has a state-of-the-art gym. I’ve hired a personal trainer to help you get your strength back. I’ve spoken with your mother. I’m hiring her as your personal pitching coach. I had a pitching tunnel put in the house for you. She’s going to stay with us for as long as it takes to get you up to snuff and to help us with Kaya as we manage our busy schedules. The house now has a crib and everything that’s needed. All I need is for you to agree to it.”

I’m in shock that he did all this. I turn to Arizona, and she gives me a hopeful smile. “Sorry, Rip, but I’m with him on this one. I want my niece near me. I want my best friend on my team again. You love Philly. You love our team. You want your daughter to have her father in her life. It’s the best thing for everyone.”

Not my heart. Tears find my eyes. I’m torn. I want to be in Philly for every reason in the world other than being around Quincy. How will I ever move on if I’m living with him? But how can I deny him his daughter if he wants to be in her life? How can I do that to her? I would have given anything to have had my father in my life.

He continues, “If, at the end of this season, you decide you want to move back to California, I will either retire or request a trade to a team in this area.”

“But you just built the house. I thought you wanted Philly as your forever home.”

“You and Kaya are my forever home.”

I take a few deep breaths, trying to keep my emotions in check. “I’ll agree to this on one condition.”

Quincy’s face lights up. “Anything.”

“Sign the divorce papers.”

His face drops.

“If you’re serious about being near our daughter, sign them, and I’ll come. I’m doing this for her.”

Tears fill his eyes. “I don’t want to give up on us.”

“There is no us, Quincy. You and I are over. Time and time again you chose not to be with me. I loved you so hard for so damn long. I wasted years of my life loving a man who was never willing to love me back. I’m not a toy you can take out and play with and then throw in the closet for days, months, or even years at a time. I’m a real person with real feelings, feelings you’ve never once considered. On many occasions, I’ve asked you to love me in the light, not in the dark. You wouldn’t give me that. When you walked out on me when I told you I was pregnant, I was devastated. I cried myself to sleep every night until one morning I woke up and swore I’d never let you do that to me again. I’ve shed too many tears over you, Quincy Abbott. I’ll do this for our daughter. I don’t want her to grow up without a father like I did. I’ll stay with you because I recognize that I’m going to need help and resources these first few months. When my season is over, I’m moving out of your house. We’ll figure out a fair custody agreement for Kaya. Your season ends then too. The timing will be right.”

He's quiet for several long beats before eventually nodding. “I’ll sign them, but I won’t give up hope. Ever.”

“There’s nothing left to hope for.” I stand. “If you’re serious about our daughter, sign them, and I’ll start packing. If not, we’ll see you when you get the chance.”

I summon every ounce of strength I have to hold my head up and walk out of that room to my bedroom. Laying on the bed, I hug a pillow to my chest and let the tears fall. Why now? I waited years for him to say things like that to me.

A few minutes later, there’s a knock at my door. I expect Quincy’s voice, but it’s Arizona’s.

“Can I come in?”

“Of course.”

She walks in, lays down, and turns to me. She gently wipes the tears pooled under my eyes. “Don’t cry over him. Don’t give any man that power over you. You’re the best person I know, Rip. Make that vagina-looking, long-haired motherfucker grovel.”

I giggle. “Is it pathetic that I think his beard and hair are sexy?”

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