Just Friends, Right?

Ring On My Finger.

Jada~

As I mess with Christian's hair, he rubs my side as we lay in bed together. No dog, just us.

Once in a while, he pulls me closer to him. It's my last day in Arizona. It's also his last day. He convinced me enough to stay for the entire duration of spring training.

They fly out at the end of the day. We start long-distance once again. I do believe it will be easier this year. But it'll never be easy.

His thumb traces the length of the scar under my breast. He always does this. I'm unsure why. But I like it.

"Why don't you just come with me?"

"Because I haven't been to work in seven weeks."

"You work from your laptop."

"And Camille is coming to LA so she can work there for a couple of weeks and I told her she could stay at the house."

He sighs, "So May?"

"I have a flight booked for April 30th to Milwaukee with no flight booked back to LA."

I inch myself closer to him so our bodies are touching. "One day, I hope we never have to do this again. Separation, that is."

"That day will come."

He kisses me, "I'll make sure of it."

Scout hits the door from the outside getting our attention. We look at the door and back at each other, "We have a needy dog."

"But lovable."

He kisses me once more before getting out of bed and putting a pair of shorts on. He tosses me a shirt before opening the bedroom door. Scott trots in and jumps into bed with me.

"How about we make breakfast?"

"Don't you have to go in soon?" I ask since most days he's out of the house by 9 am.

"Not until one. But it'll be quick since we're leaving tonight. I'll be back to get you to the airport," he tells me as I put the shirt over my head.

"Sounds good."

Christian stands behind me as I work the kiosk to retrieve my boarding pass. I put the tag on my bag before bringing it up to the desk.

I fix Scout's vest so it's known that he's a working dog and not just a pet. We find a spot just before the security checkpoint.

"I'll be flying when you get back home. My mom's picking you up?"

"Yes."

"You have your key?"

"Yes, why are you so worried?"

"I just want to make sure you get there."

"I will be fine."

"I know. It's just been a while since we've been apart."

We've spent every day with each other since his off-season started. "I'll be out in Milwaukee soon."

We hug as Scout stands in between us. He kisses me, "I love you."

"I love you too."

He kisses my forehead before kneeling to say goodbye to Scout. "Be good for mom."

He stands and kisses me again, "We'll be out soon."

"I'll text you when we land."

"Same here."

This is one of the less emotional goodbyes that we've had. Maybe it's because we've been together since his off-season started. Maybe it's because I know I'll see him in a month. I know I'll miss him soon and I'll be lonely in LA but, it makes it a hell of a lot easier knowing I get to go our home. Not just my home or his home but our home.