Page 46 of Rocking Player
“We didn’t set up a plan.”
“I thought we did.”
“I’m good at remembering concrete terms.” Jeremy. Right, but my son was happy here and my house was double the size of hers. I ignored the zip in my vein and said, “Kids adapt well. You don’t have to stay in Pittsburgh.”
She let me go and finished arranging her bag as she said, “Michael…I need to go home and let my mind rest. We agreed we wouldn’t move until November.”
“Because of school or because you want time apart?”
“A lot’s happened and I want to talk to my sisters in person, figure out what I want to do for school in the spring. But remember you promised to move in with us come November till April, until you know where we’re going to live.”
“November is months away.” At least she still planned on living with me in the end. I ignored the thought of how I should be wary of giving this woman my heart as she turned around and stared at me so casually. I asked, “And you’re okay living apart for the next two months?”
She nodded and that made me pause. I'd hoped once we'd discussed feelings, life would change. But she was calm and cool, as she said, “I want to provide stability for Jeremy. He’s the most important person in both our lives, right?”
She tugged her collar checking it was fine. I widened my stance. “I was hoping this weekend would convince you to stay in Oklahoma for the rest of the season, so I can see you both more often.”
“I can’t…decide right now.” I reached for her bag, so she couldn’t carry it and she adjusted her shirt. “The first weekend in October has a planning day for the teachers that Friday. What are you doing then?”
Probably the playoffs though the schedule wasn’t out yet. “I don’t know fully yet where I’ll be, but I’ll keep you posted.”
She opened the door of the bedroom to leave as she asked, “I thought baseball schedules were organized and tickets sold before players ever hit the dirt?”
“Regular season, yes.” I walked beside her. “October is for the playoffs or we’re benched. We’re good right now and should be playing but anything might happen this month. So we need to be prepared.”
“Jeremy pack your bag,” she called out to the next room, and then turned to me as she glided onto the stairs. “I’m glad we’re not rushing because we got married. Honestly…”
We made it to the bottom, but my skin had goosebumps now. “Yeah?”
She came closer to me and said, “Look, I love you. I just need to figure out how we fit.”
Together. I kissed her cheek and hugged her as I said, “That’s the easy part, Georgie.”
She curled into my arms, and for a moment I was warm, and everything was good. As the kiss ended, she slipped out of my arms and said, “Maybe you see your life all planned out perfectly, because you’re on the road a lot. I need to figure out our end though. For now, Jeremy and I need to eat breakfast and head to the airport.”
She headed into the kitchen and my stomach tightened like I'd swallowed a stone. I’d not eat a bite, but I followed her inside and said, “I can’t come in for a week.”
She took pans out like she’d make something. I was going to say something once my skin stopped growing goosebumps, but then my phone rang.
She took out the mixer and waffle maker and said, “Get it. It’s okay.”
I answered Phil, “The Yankees want you bad, Michael. They offered everything you want but there is a time clock running on this offer.”
Ten years, thirty million a year. The deal of a lifetime. I blocked out when she turned the mixer on as I asked, “How long do I have?”
“Seventy-two hours,” Phil said.
Georgie had complained about New York. Phil had heard her. I stared at her as she made dough and turned on the waffle maker as I asked, “Can you tell them I need to talk to my family, and that I’ll need a week?”
Phil hadn’t mentioned Georgie directly or her complaints yesterday as he said, “I’m sure that’s fine. It’s known you’re married so it shouldn’t be a problem to sell newlyweds to get you more time.”
Code forspeak to Georgie. I swallowed and said, “Thanks, Phil.”
I hung up and stared at her. She finished pouring the batter into the machine and then straightened as she asked, “What’s going on?”
I widened my stance. This was it. No more waiting. I met her gaze and said, “New York offered thirty million for ten years.”
Her chin fell as she asked, “New York?”
