Page 97 of Stepping Up to the Plate

“You are never a distraction. Everything else is a distraction from you,” I say, causing her to smile softly. “I don’t want to break up.”

“Not a break up, a break.”

“Robby made me watch FRIENDS with him a few spring trainings ago. I know they’re the same thing,” I refute.

“Not this one. We’re two people taking time the same way we would if one of us traveled somewhere with no cell service.”

“What is your proposal, exactly? Lay it out for me,” I request.

“We stop seeing each other, temporarily. We limit communication. We both focus on our goals and then, after a predetermined amount of time, we come back and evaluate if we still want to be together.”

“I will always want you,” I declare. “How long?”

“Until after the World Series?” she suggests.

“That could be over six weeks, Lo.” I don’t know if I can go six weeks without talking to her. Six weeks without knowing if she is safe and okay? That would be the ultimate distraction.

“It’s a long time,” she agrees. “But I don’t think it’s fair to do anything less when you will need your focus on the game. Having it end in the middle would steal that focus. If the team doesn’t advance, we can potentially end the break sooner.”

“Are you going to be dating during this break?” I ask. Lola pales at the question.

“No. I will be concentrating on myself. This is a break, not a break up. I would prefer we remain exclusive. If you don’t want that, I understand but—”

I don’t let her finish before I’m slamming my lips into hers. “I don’t want anyone else,” I whisper as I pull away from her lips and rest my forehead against hers. Like an addict, my body lights up at the taste of her. I was going through withdrawals after this long without her.

“You need this?” I question. She nods.

“Okay,” I acquiesce. “But I can’t go without contact. I’ll go out of my mind if I don’t know you’re alright.”

“That’s fair. How about we meet once a week for a twenty-minute coffee date to catch up?”

I think about her suggestion. It’s way less than I want, but I sense I won’t get more. That doesn’t stop me from countering, “And one text exchange per day. I won’t reach out more than that, but I need to hear from you daily, even if only to say ‘good night’ or share a meme.”

She ponders my offer before agreeing. “Deal.”

When she reaches her hand out to shake, I grasp the back of her neck and pull her into a searing kiss. It’s slower than the one we shared earlier. I’m savoring it. I don’t know when the next time I’ll be able to kiss her will be. Unlike when I embraced her earlier, she sinks into me.

“I know you need to take this journey for yourself, but if you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. I meant it when I said I loved you. It was the wrong time to tell you and now isn’t any better, but I need you to know. I’ll be waiting for you, my sweet girl. Hurry back.” With all my cards on the table, I leave for the locker room. I can’t say I feel any better about the situation, but I take comfort in knowing she still wants me, even if she needs time first.

ChapterForty-Six

• LOLA •

After my talk with Brady, I returned to Georgie’s and promptly passed out. It’s the best night of sleep I’ve had since this entire ordeal began. The Songbirds and Foxes have one more game left in the series. Since it is a two p.m. first pitch and I managed to sleep past ten, I know Brady is already at the stadium. Following the terms of our deal, I sent him a text wishing him luck.

11:43 AM

Brady Bear

Luck isn’t needed, but thank you. ?? When is our first coffee date?

Me

Thursday morning?

Brady ‘likes’ my reply to avoid breaking our one text rule on the first day. While it’s comical, I appreciate that he is respecting my boundaries.

Around eight that evening, Georgie comes home with dinner. “Are those Italian Beef sandwiches I smell?” I squeal.

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