Page 176 of Off Season

I sigh. “I know I’m going to spend my life with her, but—”

“But what?”

It’s now or never. I’m laying all my cards on the table. “I don’t know that we’ll ever get married. I don’t know that we’ll ever have kids. But I do know that we probably won’t be moving back to Galveston.”

Three whammies all at once. I grab my balls as I wait for a response.

She starts yelling in Spanish, but I stop her in an unusually loud, harsh tone for me. “Mamá, let me finish!”

She’s quiet, so I take a deep breath and calmly continue. “I know you’ve always had my future planned out for me, but I never saw it the same way as you. In fact, I never saw it at all until Kamryn came into my life. I never said anything to you because I didn’t want to upset you, but it’s my life, and I’ll live it how I please. Kamryn and I have some post-ball career plans that won’t work in Galveston. We’ve made our home here in Philly and don’t plan on changing it anytime soon. As for marriage and children, I don’t know exactly what the future holds for us, but I’m happy. She’s the love of my life. That willneverchange. I can live without everything else, but I can’t live without her.”

“But you’re sacrificing—”

“That’s not how I see it at all. I’m only gaining.” I exhale a deep breath. “I need you to be okay with this. I’ve spent the past ten years not wanting to come home because of the pressure you put on me. Pressure to do things I never really wanted to do but was always too afraid of hurting you to say. I want to visit with a clear mind. When Kamryn and I come to town, it should be fun and full of love, not expectations. I won’t have you put pressure on me anymore, and I certainlywon’t allow you to ever put pressure on Kamryn. Whether you like my choices or not, they’re mine. I don’t ask that you agree with them. I ask that you respect them.”

I hear her sniffle a few times. My stomach clenches at the thought of being the cause of it, but this conversation is overdue.Longoverdue.

It’s deafeningly silent for several long beats. She’s a loving mother. She may have had a certain future in mind for me, but she ultimately loves me unconditionally. Maybe it will take her time to get there, but I know she will.

Chewy lets out a series of high-pitched barks at a few dogs that could swallow him whole. I love that he’s unafraid to assert himself. He must get that from Kam.

My mother calmly asks, “Is that my handsome grandpup?”

I can’t help but smile, knowing it’s her way of letting me know we’re going to be okay.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

KAMRYN

Ripley and Arizona are getting their hair and makeup done in another room, leaving me, Bailey, and Fallon alone in the master bathroom of Tanner’s house. Bailey wanted Fallon as a bridesmaid. Gemma is off managing Fletcher somewhere. Harper is with Tanner and his crew downstairs. She’s his “best woman.”

Bailey is sitting on a vanity chair, reapplying her lipstick for the thousandth time. She looks a little off kilter. I’m surprised. I thought she’d be running down the aisle to get to Tanner.

She exhales a long breath, and our eyes meet in the mirror. “Are you nervous, Bails? You don’t have to do this. People have kids out of wedlock all the time.”

She shakes her head. “There’s nothing in the world I want more than to marry Tanner. It’s the stepmom thing that’s got me on edge. Are we doing this too quickly? Harper just found out that we’re together. What if she doesn’t accept me as her stepmom?”

Fallon rubs her shoulders. “She loves you, Bailey. I think she was rightfully confused about you and Tanner at first. It hadnothing to do with not wanting you as a stepmom. She’s excited about that.”

I nod in agreement. “She’s super excited about that part of it. She worships you, Bails.”

Bailey scrunches her face. “Maybe it’s the wordstepmom. The stepmom is always evil in books and movies. I feel like the word has this negative connotation when it should be the opposite.”

I scoff. “Fucking Disney. It’s all their fault. Growing up, they basically taught us to hate stepmoms.” I wink at her. “It’s a good thing that Pornhub has taken it in a completely different direction. They’ve redeemed the word stepmom for this next generation. They’re true pioneers.”

Bailey and Fallon both start laughing. Fallon shakes her head. “You’re gifted, Kamryn. Your mind is a medical marvel. I’ve never seen another like it.”

“I’ve been telling Bailey that since we were kids.”

Fallon smirks as she turns to leave. “I’m going to check on Harper. I’ll give you two a moment of privacy.”

When I know she’s gone, my eyes meet Bailey’s in the mirror again. “Are you happy?”

She nods. “So darn happy. I feel like I’m getting everything I’ve ever wanted. I didn’t expect it all to come in a rush, but I feel so fortunate. How about you? Are you happy?”

“Of course. You’re getting everything you want and deserve.”

“Not about my life, Kam. Yours.”

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