Current Day

Melanie snuggles with her blanket, her eyelids heavy as she settles for the night. I lean over and give her a kiss, whispering a faint goodnight. The twins, bathed and in their pajamas, await their bedtime in the front room. I try to tamp down the excitement coursing through my veins but fail epically when I catch sight of them sitting on Ms. Neely’s lap. This is really happening. After seven long weeks, I’m getting to see him. Touch him. Hold him. Funny how I went over a year without a man’s touch, and now this distance away from Jax feels like a lifetime.

“I can’t thank you enough, Ms. Neely. You’ll never know how much I appreciate this.” I plant kisses on the twins’ heads and run my fingers through Tristan’s unruly locks. He’s in dire need of a haircut.

“If I had a handsome baseball player waiting for me, I’d skip out first chance I got.” She winks.

“You make me feel bad.” Selfish even. I’ve always been there for the kids, so taking time for myself seems odd.

“All you do is work and be a mother. Which is okay when you have someone to share it with, but when you’re single, you have to enjoy a little on the side. Otherwise, you’ll go crazy.” She tips her head as if to prove a point.

Warmth floods my face at her assumption. I do have plans to enjoy some on the side, but I hate making it obvious. “Ms. Neely, I don’t even know what to say to that.”

She laughs. “Say nothing, just enjoy.”

“Anyway, I placed fresh sheets on the bed, and their backpacks are ready to go. You have my cell, in case of problems.”

“We’ll be fine, honey. Don’t worry. Okay, kids, say goodbye to your mother.”

I hug Tristan and Trenna and sprinkle them with more kisses. Fresh energy fills my insides as I back the car out and take the drive to the heart of the city. I can’t wait to see the look on Jax’s face when I arrive, just as requested, wearing only a jersey top and leggings, nothing underneath. He’ll be completely surprised.

The only downside to the plan is the dreadful drive downtown. As much as I hate commuting by subway, it still beats driving in traffic. Especially, stalled traffic. It leads to too much time, which leaves an opening for doubt to creep in. And that’s a dangerous thing to succumb to. I tap my fingers against the steering wheel to the rhythmic beat of whatever song is playing. A desperate ploy to stop my mind from racing back to high school, senior year. A past life when I was excited to surprise a guy. What if…no! I won’t play that game. It only leads to speculation, and I trust Jax. I do.

Before I turn the car around or ruin my surprise by dialing him, I put Lacey on speakerphone.

“What are you doing calling me? I thought you’d be with Jax.”

“I’m getting there. I had a slight change in plans.” I explain the predicament Carl left us in and then the idea I concocted.

“Your ex is just… There are no words.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Thank God for your neighbor coming through. I know their game ended—in a win, I may add—so you two may arrive about the same time.”

“He said I can get a key from the front desk in case I need it. I’m nervous.”

“You have nothing to be nervous about. He eyes you like his last breath depends on it.”

“He does not, but thanks. I knew you’d give me a confidence booster.”

“You don’t need help. You just need to go claim your man.”

“That I plan on doing.” The hotel comes into view and maneuvering over there will require my concentration. “I’m here, so I’ll talk to ya tomorrow.”

“Have fun.” Her singsong voice rings off as I pull along the curb of the swanky hotel. The valet validates everything, and in no time, I’m grabbing the key from the concierge like it’s a life preserver and making my way to the elevator. I do hope I beat him to the room.

Nothing can derail my mood. My heart races when the door slides open, and I step into the hallway. Destination—room 1515.

Fifty steps to strong arms wrapping around and holding me. God, I miss his touch. His warmth. He told me he loved me back in Florida. I was too lost in the moment and didn’t say it back. But part of me thinks he was caught up in the moment too since he hasn’t said it since.

Thirty steps to an evening of uninterrupted sex. I love my kids, but the last week of being together in Florida was extremely difficult to get alone time. Impossible even. Although the send-off sex was pretty incredible.

Ten steps to being inside his personal world. This is the first time I’ll see him since he started his real job—baseball. This feels more intimate knowing I’m a part of what would be considered his norm. Do people realize how many nights away from home these players spend? Having a front row seat, I didn’t even realize. Leave it to me to fall for a guy who can only offer a long-distance relationship.

Zero steps to my heart beating profusely. Room 1515. I pull the key card out but hover over the key reader. My excitement mixes with apprehension at the sound of the television. Either he beat me here, or he’s the type of person who leaves the television on all day. Or…

I withdraw the card and verify the room number against the wall plate. Numbers match. Never wanting to see my boyfriend boning anyone ever again, I opt to knock.

A few seconds to the door swinging open, and a perky brunette wearing a silky black camisole greets me.

A millisecond to my heart breaking.