Curveball- Strike Zone Series Book two

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Nate

      Sitting here waiting to be called in to see the doctor to find out if I can start training to play again, there's a lot running through my head. The argument with Molly and then Kayleigh. I'm not gonna lie, that amazing make up with Kayleigh is foremost on my mind. She's known me for months and yet she's had the best impact on my life. Oh, she ripped me good for the way I handled things. She forgave me, eventually and I am one happy man again. She has forced me to see things differently, things I was very adamant about too. Mainly, Molly and Reese.

      I love my sister and my best friend, but separately. I've never seen them as a couple, only as individual people in my life. Thanks to Kayleigh, she's made me see that I should want my sister to be happy. If it's with Reese, then I need to accept it. I have to accept it, just as they've accepted Kayleigh in my life. I'm happier now than I've ever been. And I was just like Reese before I met my girl. Reese is just as capable of changing too. Only Kayleigh could make me see this.

      As for Kayleigh, she has more insight than I gave her credit for. She knew I was moving too fast for her. She knows that she loves me but is just not ready to admit it. Did it make her nervous? Yes. Did I continue to push her? Yes. Do I plan to stop telling her how I feel about her? Hell, no.

      I like keeping her just a little off balance. It's important to me especially after everything that happened with Carla, and after everything Kayleigh has been through, that she feels secure by my side. I don't want her doubting me or my feelings for her. In fact, I want to push her a little more, maybe a lot more. I finally see a future beyond baseball and this amazing woman is a huge part of it.

     "Nate, it's gonna be fine. You know you have a road of physical therapy and training ahead of you before they can really tell anything. I'm sure you'll be able to play again next season and be right back where you were." Kayleigh tries to reassure me. She knows I'm worried. "We'll work together every day to get you there. Please don't worry. I know you can do this."

     Looking down, my good leg is bouncing up and down at a fast, nervous pace. One hand is curled into a fist and the other is holding hers, squeezing tight, maybe too tight. Loosening my grip on her, I have to concentrate on stopping my leg from bobbing before I lift our joined hands to kiss the back of hers. I'm okay, I'm not nervous at all. LIE!

     "I know, sweetheart. I've got a plan if I don't play again. I know everything will still be fine. I'm not worried about that." I am, but I'm not telling her that.

     It's not so much about my career, but if I'd be able to just play a game once in a while with my friends. Would I lose them if I lose my career? I've never thought of that before. Looking at her, I watch her eyes as they search mine. She can tell I'm lying.

     "I'm fine, sweetheart. I promise. We have a game tonight to go to." I reassure her with a false front, I'm scared to death of hearing my results.

      Things could be going very differently for me. I remember the last time I got to sit in the stands and watch my favorite sport. I was teaching Kayleigh my game. There's no pressure tonight to perform. I get to kick back, drink a beer or two with my girl, and watch my friends play. I'm actually excited to see it, especially with Kayleigh by my side.

      "Yeah, it's the last game, right?" Kayleigh rubs my leg and rests her sweet head on my shoulder.

      I've got some regrets about missing so much of the season. If I had been playing, I might have been able to get them to the playoffs. I might have taken them to the World Series. Instead, they're ending early and closing shop. Anaheim's season is over and I couldn't do a damn thing to help them.