Phil shook his head but took out another file as he said, “Lower, but St. Louis was extremely competitive.”

  Ten years but twenty-one million. The years were what Michael wanted and I nodded and said, “I’m fine with St. Louis.”

  Phil asked, “Then I should focus on the Sooners, the Rangers, and St. Louis?”

  “Yes,” Sarah said to summarize.

  “How about Houston?” Tom asked.

  Phil ruffled his briefcase and said, “Their offer was competitive too. Would that be a good finalist?”

  Nine years at twenty million.

  Michael wanted thirty for a ten year contract. Phil must know the goal if he’s talking competitive, so I said, “Yeah. Any other major team with a high offer?”

  “We discussed the offers over twenty now.” And he showed his paper with the notes as he said, “After taxes you walk away with more money with these teams.”

  Michael stood and shook hands. “I trust you Phil. Bring the final number to thirty for ten and we’re going to that team as a done deal. Nothing has changed.”

  “Got it,” he said and Michael walked him to the door.

  Jeremy asked me, “So we’re definitely moving Mom?”

  He’d be fine. My stomach twisted again at the thought of New York. “It will be an adventure.”

  “I guess,” he said, though he had little enthusiasm.

  Michael returned and he met his gaze. “I…I’m okay if we do.”

  I wasn’t. My insides burned, but I forced my cheeks to lift when I said, “Good. Me too.”

  His father, Tom said. “Let’s celebrate before we all head home then.”

  Sarah jumped up, collecting the waters as Michael asked, “What do you have in mind?”

  I watched her closely. Michael had said she’d been the one who bandaged his bruises, but Sarah silently went about cleaning up as Tom said, “I’ll grill us some steaks. You and your pretty wife get the beer and wine. And tonight, your mom and I head back to Florida.”

  I’d had my chance to speak and chosen to be silent. I swallowed. If Michael took the job, somehow I’d have to find the words. Calmness and peace would never be my life, not in that huge city. My heart raced at the thought of being stuck there. I couldn’t turn into my mother like this and disappear. I was just like she’d been right now. My mind raced. Did I transform into my mother if I just accepted this silently?

  Michael asked his father, “If we move to Texas, it’s warm there, dad.”

  Warm was good. I took a deep breath. Nothing was set in stone yet.

  Tom gave him a thumbs up and said, “I always liked it there.”

  “So you’ll move?” Michael asked.

  Guess I knew where he wanted, and it wasn’t crazy New York. My stomach relaxed as I went to help Sarah carry the cheese plate as Michael said, “It will be good to have our family close and to get to know Jeremy.”

  “I’d like that Mom,” Jeremy said and tapped Michael’s father like they were already bonded.

  I put the tray back in the huge refrigerator. Michael followed me and picked up his keys.

  He beamed at me like he was so close to everything he wanted. “Text Phil we want the Texas teams then as the number one and two choices.”

  His gaze met mine as he asked, “You’re sure?”

  This could all destroy me. He waved for me to join him and then opened the garage door for me, grabbed his cowboy hat, and tossed it on his head. “Yeah. Let’s get in the car to get the beers.” Jeremy came out and Michael then asked him, “You want to stay or come Jeremy?”

  “I’ll stay. See you soon.” He waved and then joined his grandmother at the sink to help with the dishes.

  I glanced back one more time and followed Michael out. I wasn’t losing myself because I loved Michael.

  The thought stilled me until he opened my door.

  I jumped in and hoped I could somehow will words out of my mouth. This silence that over came me paralyzed me.

  Love was bad when it froze my voice. Today couldn’t be the start of that horrible fate. I couldn’t let it destroy .

  Chapter 12

  Michael

  * * *

  New York before taxes was the best offer and the closest to my goals. Without one word I understand Georgie wasn’t on board with the plan. My hair stood on its ends that I could lose out on my thirty million a year for ten years plan because Georgie didn’t want New York.

  She hadn’t said too much negative, but her lack of color when the numbers were read was a hint. My spine had tightened.

  I refused to be loyal to any team but history showed they cared about their team and paid their players. At twenty-nine million, they were inches from my finish line.

  Boston wasn’t too far behind my final number either. Money meant I’d provide for my son and have a stronger portfolio for his children’s children. Investments require security and swinging my bat for the highest price guaranteed this. I’d spent my life preparing for this moment. I’d be stupid if I had to give up on the big boys with the large checks…

  Rather than discuss, Georgie beside me kept me quiet on a small trip to the grocery and liquor store.

  Dad hadn’t asked for more steaks or potatoes, but I knew my dad. I’d grab corn on the cob, fresh steaks, not frozen, and a bag of potatoes.

  The barbeque would be awesome as my dad made the best grill chef. My phone beeped as we made it closer to the store, and I parked when I read his message. “Get extra in case anyone wants seconds.”

  She sucked in her top lip and then let it out. “Sounds good. I’ve not had steak on a grill in a long time.”

  “I texted my dad, no problem,” I said and quickly sent the text. Then I opened my door. I went to her side but she already let herself out.

  “He’ll want Corona, but I like Guinness.”

  She linked her arm with mine and said, “And your mom?”

  I told her as we headed into the liquor store and added our items to the maroon cart. “White wine.”

  She read a few labels and I pointed to one I knew Mom liked.

  “Okay,” she said.

  We had three drinks in the cart now. “And you?”

  She avoided my gaze. “I’m not picky.”

  I pointed around the store and said, “The world is your oyster. Get what you want, including non-alcoholic if that’s your preference.”

  Her face turned bright red as she blushed and squared her shoulders. “I want…to not be dragged to New York.”

  Goosebumps grew on my arm like she didn’t support my choice anymore, though she hadn’t said officially. We headed to the cashier. “What’s wrong with New York? It’s a fun place.”

  I gave the clerk my card and turned from Georgie for a moment. Her frown was clear from her profile, but once we paid and had our bags Georgie said, “I’ve been to Manhattan, and I needed a vacation to get over it.”

  I carried our bags to the trunk of the car and ignored how my heart raced as I said, “We don’t have to live in Manhattan.”

  She scoffed and raised her eyebrow. “You want the best of the best, and I can’t change who I am to live in New York. I wouldn’t know how.”

  I closed the door and took a deep breath. No need to stress as it was only a possibility as this point. “Texas would make my dad happy and you.”

  She walked with me to the grocery store without a glance but said with a frown, “I might hate it there too. I’ve never been.”

  I needed her and baseball to make my life whole. This was what we agreed to when I told her my plans.

  I ignored how my skin prickled through my arms and asked her instead, “Where have you been?”

  We went to the vegetables and found the corn on the cob as she said, “Pittsburgh, Orlando once, and the Bahamas.”

  I’d seen all fifty states at this point in my life and half of Europe on vacations. We grabbed the potatoes next as I asked, “That’s it?”

  She shrugged and said, “I’ve not been to London to see my sister. I never really traveled, but she’s expecting us at the wedding.”

  If our lives didn’t mesh, we were both in trouble. “Are you against travel?”

  “No,” she said as we headed to the butcher section. “I want Jeremy to see more of the world, but I’ve been worried about spending the money. And the holiday season is usually expensive.”

  I picked up six prime cuts and tossed them in the basket. “We’ll get passports and go to your sister’s wedding as a family.”

  Her face brightened like I’d thrown her a lifeline. “That would be great.”

  I pushed the cart forward and tried to match her glee. “Christmas in London, sounds like a movie title.”

  She gently pushed into my side and said, “And thank you for listening to me about New York.”

  Only if they weren’t the best offer. Otherwise, we’d have our first serious argument. We paid at the self-check out. “If they up their offer and it’s the most after taxes though, we’ll need to talk about it again.”

  She crossed her arms and stared at me as I paid with my card. As we finished and I grabbed the bags, she asked, “Just talk? Or are you going to sign and ask me later?”

  I knew she had more to say. My own face heated. Maybe that had been my plan. I hadn’t visualized it. “You said you were okay with me going after the money.”

  “I am.” She walked with me as she then said, “I’m just not okay with how close everyone living in New York is. My two-story house, with three bedrooms and a basement and attic sometimes felt small for me, and it was just two people.”

  Score one for Georgie. Space wasn’t known in Manhattan, and I hadn’t researched commute options with bigger homes. If that was the best option in the end, we’d figure something out. Cramped wasn’t an image I saw as optimal either for raising our son. “I promise to talk to you before signing anything.”

  I opened her door for her and she hopped in the passenger seat as she said, “That’s good.”

  I packed our purchases behind me and then joined her. I held the key in my hand but didn’t turn it on yet as I said, “One more thing.”

  Her eyes widened as she stared at me. “Yeah?”

  I’d never push Jeremy the way I was to the point of exhaustion, though now I had the benefits of those nights in the palm of my hand. “My parents-”

  “Your mom and dad are great,” she interrupted.

  For now. My father was intense. She had no idea, but I pressed the button for ignition and started our drive home. “They are when they want to make an impression and they want Jeremy to like them.”

  She fixed her seat belt. “It’s helping with our son wanting to move.”

  “I can have them fly out more often,” I said then, especially if New York was the answer. They’d stay in Florida but visit and help with my son when I couldn’t be there.

  She turned on the radio and bobbed her head to the music. “Jeremy likes them, but I can’t promise to ever be like your mom and not voice my opinion.”

  I turned off the radio as my gut said this was important. “Like how?”

  She pressed her lips together and then finally said, “She was serving while her family discussed.”

  “She said what she wanted and talked to the airline. Besides, my contract doesn’t change her life much,” I said as an immediate defense of her running to the kitchen. I’d learned as a boy not to question her and then added, “She’s a retired teacher. If I ever needed help figuring out what to do for almost anything other than baseball, she’d be my go-to call.”

  Georgie jerked her head and her eyes went cold as she yelled like I’d said something important. “She was a teacher?”

  This wasn’t about my mom. My skin was prickly as I couldn’t make the connection and said, “Yeah, like your sister.”

  “I didn’t know that.” She pushed her hands together like in prayer and slumped her head down. “My mom didn’t work. She just stayed home and cooked six or more different meals, always giving us whatever wanted.”

  A tear raced down her cheek. She didn’t wipe and stayed absolutely still.

  I reached out my hand and said, “It’s okay. We don’t know everything about each other yet.”

  She took it and squeezed it as we made our way back to our home. “But I can’t sit by while you make a decision for all three of us.”

  I let her go and pressed the button for the garage. “I won’t ask you too. I need you and baseball to make my life complete.”

  She smiled and unbuttoned herself. “And you have that.”

  I turned off the engine and reached for my door. “Then let’s get back inside.”

  She got out but as we went to unload everything she reached for bags. “I’ll have white wine with your mom as that’s often my favorite. It’s why I didn’t ask for anything.”

  The more I knew her the better we’d all be. I’d also ensure none of us ever stressed about money again, and the contract secured our future was too as I said quickly, “Next time make your decision faster?”

  She didn’t move and lowered her lashes as she said, “I’m still getting used to speaking up. I haven’t had to talk to anyone about my choices since I grew up. Give me time.”

  If that was all this was, we had everything we needed. I swallowed and said, “You have all the time in the world Georgie. I’m seriously in love with you.”

  I hadn’t meant to let that slip. The words fell out of my mouth.

  She let the bags in her hand fall back in the trunk and stared at me with glassy eyes and a white face as she asked, “You are?”

  “I fucking love you,” I said and grabbed her to hold her. No denying the truth now.

  She curled into me and pressed her lips up to me as she whispered, “I love you too, and it scares me.”

  Everything else had to work out then. We were together. Money wasn’t everything, right?

  Chapter 13

  Georgie

  * * *

  The barbeque in the backyard now had that familiar singe in the air I’d not heard in years.

  Michael left his sexy cowboy hat in the garage on his keyring, which only made me giggle to myself.

  There was something fun about steaks on a grill, buttered corn roasting, and mashed potatoes covered in aluminum all mixed together that made my mouth wet.

  But it wasn’t ready yet. I finished handing out the drinks to everyone, including myself, when my phone rang. I put my glass down and walked back in the house as I answered my sister in London. “Stephanie, hi.”

  “You’ve not called me or anyone except Olivia and the others.”

  I closed the door as I said, “Technically, Olivia called me, and I knew someone will filled you in.”

  “I watched your wedding video,” Stephanie said.

  I froze and wondered how in the world to love when dying for it was in my genes. Maybe that was foolish but I asked, “Yeah?”

  Stephanie said, “You were beautiful.”

  If anyone had the answer, it was Stephanie. I checked I was alone and stared at everyone outside near the grill as I said, “Thanks. It was a last-minute decision.”

  She laughed. “I’m a total believer in happily-ever-afters and love. You, Jeremy, and your Michael are now on my guest list. So was my decision to marry Charles and move to London. I couldn’t have explained that to you.”

  When I was driving Stephanie to the airport for her vacation, I hadn’t thought that was the last time I’d see my sister. I ignored how my heart grew faster and turned away from window so I could be totally alone as I asked, “Can I ask a quick question before I say I have to go?”

  Stephanie snapped her fingers. “Go for it.”

  I tugged my ear and then decided it was time to ask, “How did you trust yourself to love your fiancée after Mom…”

  “After Mom gave up like she did and stopped even communicating?” Stephanie supplied the question.

  My cheeks heated. All six of us and our cousins held hands and buried her with our dad, and swore that day, we’d be there for each other and to never be like her. Then my entire family had been there for me when I needed help for the weeks after Jeremy was born. I had cousins flying in from all over the country to pitch in, like we were children again. I couldn’t have done it without them, but I nodded and said, “Yeah.”

  I hugged my waist while Stephanie said, “I had to figure out my life mattered too and I wasn’t going to turn into her because love makes me and Charles better, not worse.”

  Without children, maybe trust was easier. I’d been in love with Michael since we met really, but only now, I had to face facts. Love didn’t always come with an exit clause, and I glanced at my feet as I said, “Guess you don’t have a son to worry about.”

  Stephanie quietly said, “That’s more of a reason to know you won’t just give up if something bad happens.”

  Yet that hadn’t been enough for mom when I told her I was pregnant and needed her help. Why would faith work with Michael? He had the world waiting for him to make a decision and I wasn’t ready to be on display. I closed my eyes to get my trembling skin under control as I said, “I don’t know.”

  “My advice.” Stephanie took a second and then said, “If you love him, then trust your new husband and trust yourself. You’ve needed to let loose for a long time.”

  Goosebumps grew on my arm. I needed to protect myself and protect Jeremy to ensure I’d be there forever for him. This wasn’t about relaxing. It was impossible near him. I loved Michael, but that had to be second. I couldn’t turn weak now. Stephanie didn’t have this worry. She’d never understand as she chased after whatever whim she had. “I have to go.”

  We said goodbye, and I glanced out the window. Jeremy was playing catch with Michael who was showing him posture.

  I could watch this all day. Jeremy needed Michael. A good dad was important to a family and so was a strong mother.

  I needed to protect my heart from ever clinging so much to Michael that I lost my will to live.