Page 45 of Rocking Player
We all ate our steak as my mouth had watered for more until my belly filled up.
As we winded down with the food, Tom asked, “Can we ask you both a personal question?”
For the past moment, I’d forgotten all my fears. It had been a while since someone had listened to my issues and not the other way around. I nodded and asked, “What’s that?”
Tom placed his napkin on the table like he was done eating and asked, “Why didn't you find Michael sooner? Did you not watch baseball?”
Now that was fair. I wish I had gone to find him. Life would have been easier if I’d known him as those late nights alone had taken a toll on me. “I haven’t gone to a game in years. I only went to a game now, because Jeremy wanted to go, and my sister Indigo scored us good tickets. I thought it would be good bonding time. I had no idea until I stared at the jumbotron and saw his stubble and jawline again that my life would change that day.”
I sipped my wine and I thought we were done, but then Michael snapped his fingers and said, “Speaking of, the DNA test arrived.”
I swallowed to not embarrass myself and choke, but I turned toward him and said, “You didn’t say anything.”
He shrugged and said, “We knew instantly.” Then he told his parents, “There is no denying Jeremy is my boy, Georgie. It was for the lawyers.”
I stared into my glass and wished I could just disappear right now. I was so close to turning into my mother as I said, “I never tried to find Michael. When I left the Bahamas, my head was such a mess as my dad was dying, and I just wasn’t thinking straight. Six weeks after leaving him, I’d buried my dad, found out I was pregnant and then my mom took ill…”
Sarah tapped her husband’s shoulder and said, “Michael should have been better at finding you.”
“That year was the hardest of my life except for having my son.” I’d probably misjudged his mother who was nothing but kind. I should be better. Help was a good thing. Michael took my hand in his and said, “I… you’re right, Mom. I spent countless nights wishing thing were different rather than tracking down the woman I love. I won’t make that mistake ever again.”
Love. Right. He’d snuck into my heart, despite how I thought it was firmly insulated from ever opening. This was what we had, and Jeremy was a product of a good union; one where I refused to perish away and said, “You can’t change the past, Michael.”
Jeremy swallowed his last bite and curled his lips higher. “We’re a family now.”
The sun started to set but Michael laughed as he said, “True son. And I’m glad we’re together.”
Right. We were married. This wasn’t about dying but about living. Love wouldn’t destroy me. I refused to let it.
Chapter 14
Michael
My body surgedfrom activities I’d only imagined for years. Now that Georgie was in my life, I’d yet to have my fill.
Maybe I never would and that was okay. We were married so she was mine, forever now.
I couldn’t imagine loving another woman and didn’t want to ever think about it. She’d been it for me since we'd met.
As I rolled over in my duvet cover, the spot beside me was empty, again.She must wake up early these days. I opened my eyes and the flood of daylight in the room made me want to reach for a pillow and hide for another moment.
But I heard her sweet humming in the en suite bathroom.
I stood and ignored my morning hard-on, though it was harder when I let myself in and realized she was naked and in my shower.
I’d join her if she wanted. I brushed my teeth and waited for an invitation, but she continued to sing to herself.
I got the hint she wanted a few minutes alone, so I headed to the closet for my jeans and t-shirt.
A few minutes she came out, in black jeans and a black t-shirt. She also had her small bathroom bag all packed as she said, “This weekend went so fast.”
My heart raced faster and I stood taller and said, “I’ll be back in Tulsa in four days for three days at home.”
She grabbed her small bag and checked her makeup was in it as she said, “We’ll be in Pittsburgh. Our flight leaves early this afternoon.”
I wrapped my arms around her waist and wished she was staying. “I was hoping now that we’re married, I could see you the days I’m in town.”
She twirled in my arms and hugged my shoulders when she said, “We discussed this. Let’s not change the plan now.”
