Page 51 of A Very Merry Matchup
Oh man, did Ireallywant to hear the long version of this story. Hopefully someday I would. “So, what’s next then? Between you and Abbey?”
“We’re still figuring it out.” He motions to his arm. “The future is suddenly looking a lot different than what we planned even just a few days ago. But anyway, don’t sayanything to Mom and Dad yet. I’ll tell them everything when I’m ready.”
“Sure. I won’t say anything.” How long has it been since my brother and I talked like this? Confiding. Sharing secrets. This may be the best Christmas present he’s ever given me. I suppose the least I can do is share a secret of my own with him.
“Want to hear something?” I lean with a whisper. “I like Beau.”
He stares at me like I’ve just told him it’s Christmas Day. “Kind of figured you did since he’s your boyfriend.”
“But he’s not my boyfriend. We’re not together.”
Now he’s looking at me like I’ve just tried telling him today is Halloween instead. “Did you guys break up on the drive home from the hospital or something?”
“No, it’s... also complicated. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I got set up, and now...”
“And now you like him. What’s so complicated?”
“He’s a baseball player. He’s got a real shot at making it into the Majors this coming season. It’s his dream. I can’t let him give it up for me.”
“So don’t let him.”
“But if he doesn’t, he’ll be just like Dad. Gone all the time. I promised myself I’d never fall for a guy like that.”
“A guy like what? A guy with a great family? A guy whodrives you to the hospital on Christmas Day without batting an eye? A guy who looks at you like he’d rather give up his right arm than lose a single day with you? That type of guy?”
“Pretty surethat guyhas already moved on to making goo-goo eyes at the neighbor girl.”
My brother snorts. “C’mon, Ivy. I’ve hardly been here an hour and I can already see you’ve got a great thing going on. Don’t sabotage it by being an idiot.”
“Who says I’m being an idiot?”
“You just said goo-goo eyes. You’re being an idiot.”
“Well, you’re being an idiot if you don’t convince Abbey to marry you as soon as possible before she has a chance to realize what an idiot you are.”
“Pretty sure she already knows. But don’t worry. I’m working on it. Now get out of here. I’m trying to rest.”
“This is technically my room, you know.”
He points to the door. Yeah, yeah. I get it. He doesn’t have to point twice. I rush down the stairs just hoping I’m not too late.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Ask what I’m doing New Years, New Year’s Eve...
Beau
As much as I want to go back inside, I know Ivy rarely gets this sort of time with her family. If I go back in the house, I’ll only want to hog her for myself. Maybe find a discreet bell that we can stand beneath the rest of the day.
Ivy’s parents, brother, and his new wife have already mentioned leaving first thing in the morning. What guts me is that Ivy’s still planning on heading out too. I overheard her mentioning the Tennessee trip to her Mom before I stepped out to talk to Crystal.
My feet trek a path toward the little neighborhood park a block over. The sun is nearly gone, but I have no troubleseeing thanks to all the Christmas lights reflecting off the snow.
Tomorrow the house is going to feel so empty without Ivy and Hamish. Soon as I wake up I’ll make a call to Carson. Tell him I’m done with baseball. See if he can keep me on at his flooring company until I figure out my next steps with Ivy.
If she still wants to do travel nursing until she’s thirty, I’ll wait. I’ll wait as long as it takes. Maybe I can even figure out a way to travel with her.
Or maybe I just need to stay quiet. Not push for anything yet. Wait a few years before I try pursuing Ivy again. I don’t know. I just don’t know anymore.
