Page 179 of Vegas Heat

I’m ready to move into my new place. It’s been a whirlwind of a month, and having to hide what I share with Gabby even while we’re at home has been some level beyond frustrating.

My new bed was delivered yesterday along with furniture for the rest of the place, things picked out by some designer at Kaylee’s sister-in-law’s firm. When I first got to town, she sent me some choices of furniture to order. I barely glanced at it, balked at the bottom line, and signed off on all of it anyway. It’s one less thing to have to worry about, and now my new place will be all set up when I walk in this morning with Gabby on my arm.

She didn’t sleep in my arms last night, and I hope it’s the last night for a long time that’s the case. We weren’t sure if her father was staying the night with Joanie or if he was coming home, and we figured we should play it safe on our last night in his house.

But once we’re in my house? All bets are off.

And speaking of my house, I need to get over there. The pod where all my shit has been stored for the last month is arriving before noon, and I’d like to be there to unpack everything as soon as it arrives. I suppose then it’ll really feel like home.

My phone rings just as I’m contemplating getting out of bed, and I see it’s my mother.

“Good morning,” I answer, my voice a little groggy on the first words I’ve spoken today.

“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. Did I wake you?”

“No ma’am, I was up. What’s going on?”

“Just checking in on you. It’s been a few days since I’ve heard your voice and usually you’re acall Mom everydaykind of kid,” she says.

“I’m sorry. Things are heating up out here with the expansion draft just a month away now,” I say. “Troy’s been keeping me busy researching every player on every team so we can assemble the best team possible. And all that on top of workouts, closing on the house, Gabby…”

“How’s Gabby doing?” she asks, and I sense something in her tone that tells me she really cares. I never sensed that with Stacy, that’s for sure.

“Great. She’s excelling in her internship, and she’s managing to do it on top of all her schoolwork. She’s just incredible.”

“Well I already knew that part. What about you? You holding up okay or do I need to have a chat with Troy?” she asks.

I laugh. “I’m holding up just fine. Guess what I did earlier this week?”

“What?”

“I stepped into the batting cages.” My voice is just above a whisper as I say the words, and it’s sort of unbelievable to me how emotional picking up a bat again made me feel.

“Oh, wow. How’d it go?”

I blow out a breath. “It was…God, Mom. It was everything I was hoping for. It was like getting back on the bike after far too long away and I already feel myself becoming addicted to that feeling again.”

She doesn’t respond right away, and then I hear a sniffle.

“Mom?”

When she finally answers, her voice trembles with emotion. “I’m just so happy for you, honey. It’s good to have you back.”

“I never went anywhere,” I say.

“Yes, you did. You had a hard couple years, and you’re proof that you can get through those hard times and come out the other side. What an inspiration you are, my sweet boy.”

“I don’t know about that.” My words are modest, but I will thrive on the compliment she just gave me for a good, long time.

“Well I do, and I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Okay. Enough with the sappy stuff,” she says, her voice returning to all business, and I chuckle. “Good luck with move-in day. Send pictures and let me know when I can come out to visit.”

“The door is always open for you.”

“Are you busy Thanksgiving?” she asks. “I was thinking of coming out and bringing Connor and his family with me if it’s okay with you.”

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