Page 74 of The Future Play

“But you deserve to be taken care of. Listen, as nice as your folks seem, it’s not okay that a vacation and their sick daughter were equal choices. You should’ve been the priority. I’m sorry you weren’t. For the record, the girls were going to make a schedule to come check on you. They knew exactly why you didn’t want them here, and they didn’t give a shit. I just told Aaron to tell them not to come because selfishly, I wanted to be the one to take care of you. And don’t you dare ask why.”

I bite my lip to keep myself from saying something I’ll regret. Something that I’m not even sure I fully feel yet, but keeps dancing in my brain regardless.Love. It’s just because I’m an emotional mess.

I force out a breath and snuggle into his side. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Good. Now, you’re going to relax and watchOne Tree Hillwhile I run my fingers through your hair untilyou fall asleep. And when you wake up in the morning, I promise you’re going to feel a lot better.”

He kisses my head, and any arguments die. I’m exhausted, and for once, it feels nice to let someone take care of me because they want to, not because they have to. Not because I’m a burden. Jamie wants me. He wants to care for me. And that thought alone is enough to soothe my frayed edges, allowing me to relax a little more until I drift off to sleep.

Jamie was right.I’m feeling a lot better today. Still tired and sore, but I’ve been able to eat and drink okay. Mostly easy to eat foods, but it’s better than before. We even went for a walk around the block.

Now we’re relaxing in my bed. I’m not really ready to sleep yet, but I’m too tired to do anything else. And like last night, my emotions are haywire, but this time, I don’t think it’s from sickness. I like Jamie being here, and I’m worried I’ve gotten too used to it. He has to go back to training camp tomorrow—I want him to—but now that I’ve slept in his arms, it’s going to be hard not to have that all the time.

Jamie runs his fingers through my hair. I’m lying down, facing away from him, even though the 2005 version ofPride and Prejudiceis playing in the background.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

I sniff and quickly wipe my eyes, but I’m sure I’m not hiding anything.

He rubs one hand down my back, then goes back to playing with my hair.

“Are you feeling sick again?”

I shake my head, then notice the slight tug on my hair when I do. It takes me a second to realize he’s braiding my hair.

“It’s sweet that you learned to braid hair for your sisters.”

“I actually like it. After a while, it becomes mindless. Almost like a fidget toy. But with your soft hair, I never want to stop touching it. I could play with it all day.”

Ah, stupid tears.

I sniff again, and he lightly tugs on my hair.

“What’s wrong?”

“This. I’m… getting too used to it.”

“Good,” he whispers.

I roll over to face him. “What changed?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you couldn’t give me anything because of your commitment to baseball. Now you’re choosing me over baseball. What changed?”

“I understood what I had to lose.” He brushes his thumb slowly across my cheek. “I thought baseball had to come first because outside of my family and friends, no one had ever compared to baseball. But all it took was one day of not talking to you to realize how deeply I feel for you. It took longer to deal with that fact and convince myself I could have both things. Once I did, there wasn’t a choice. Wanting you isn’t a choice. Caring for you isn’t a choice. You’re everything, and you deserve the world, so I’m going to give it to you. If that means baseball has to be an occasional sacrifice, then it will be. I hear that’s what good relationships are. Compromise and sacrifice when needed. You’ve had too many people not choose you, but I have, and I’ll continue to do that as long as you let me.”

Fuck.

I’m so screwed.

I’m falling for him, and that terrifies me because it won’t be easy. Distance will be a big part of our future, and as a clingy, sometimes emotionally needy person, that’s going to be hard for me. But like he just said, it’s not a choice. I want him the way he wants me. Nothing has ever been more terrifying, but it’s never been more exciting either.

“Yes,” I say suddenly.

“What?”

“Yes. I’ll go on a date with you.”

---