It was late, and you were sitting alone in yours and Jack's dimly lit apartment, the quiet around you almost too loud. You had been staring at your phone, hoping to see Jack’s name flash across the screen. Every away game that you didn't go to, you went through the same ritual — texts filled with encouragement and love, calls to wish him luck, and then waiting... usually in silence.
You understood his career as a pitcher for the Dodgers kept him busy. It was something you’d come to accept when you two started dating, but lately, Jack’s replies felt colder, his voice on the phone somehow distant, and his messages... sparse at best.
With a sigh, you typed out another text, simple and casual, just in case he was finally able to check his phone:
“Hey, hope the game went well. Call me when you get the chance?”
You sent it, then set your phone aside, trying to distract yourself with a movie, but your attention kept drifting back to your phone screen, waiting for it to light up with a reply. Nothing came. Hours passed, and you finally let exhaustion take over, falling asleep on the couch.
---
A few days later, Jack finally returned to LA. You knew he’d be exhausted from the trip, but you couldn’t ignore the ache in your chest any longer. The emptiness that his absence and the silence in their relationship had created felt too heavy. You wanted things to go back to how they were when he would text you back in the middle of the night just to say he missed you, even after a long game. So, you decided to confront him.
When Jack finally arrived at your apartment, you felt a pang of relief, mixed with nervousness. He looked exhausted, his duffle bag slung over his shoulder and his Dodger cap pulled low over his eyes, but the sight of him — of him being there — was enough to stir something familiar and warm yet cold in your heart.
“Hey,” he said softly, leaning down to kiss you, but you turned your head slightly, his kiss landing on your cheek. You tried to give him a soft smile, but it didn’t reach your eyes. Jack raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, setting his bag down and giving you his full attention.
You hesitated, but the words you'd been bottling up came rushing out. “Jack, I know you're busy. I know how demanding your career is, and I’d never want to take that away from you.” you looked down, twisting you hands. “But lately... it feels like you’re pulling away from me.”
He frowned, shifting on his feet. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I text you and call you when you're gone, and I hardly get anything back,” you said, your voice barely a whisper but filled with hurt. “It’s like I’m the only one putting in the effort in our relationship to stay connected. You’re gone for days, sometimes even weeks, and all I get are one-word replies or just nothing at all. It feels... lonely like I'm not important anymore.”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck, his expression guilty but guarded. “Y/N, I’m just... exhausted, okay? The season’s intense, and I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”
“I know that,” you said, your voice wavering. “But I’m not asking for much, Jack. Just a quick text, something to show that you’re still thinking about me and that I matter. I feel like I’m slowly losing you, and I don’t know what to do.”
The vulnerability in your voice cut through Jack’s defenses. He stepped closer, reaching for your hand, but you pulled away, wrapping your arms around yourself protectively.
“You used to make me feel like I mattered, like I was a part of your life, even when you were on the road. But now... it’s like I’m not even there. I know this job is hard, but that doesn’t mean you get to shut me out.”
Jack looked down, silent. For the first time, you saw his hesitation, his reluctance to face what you were saying.
“Is it... is it me?” you whispered, your voice barely audible. “Is there something I’ve done? Or... have you just stopped wanting this? Is there someone else?”
His head shot up, and for a moment, his expression softened. “No, Y/N. It’s not that. It’s just... when I’m out there, my mind’s all over the place. I’m focused on the game, on staying sharp, and... I just get lost in it. It’s nothing to do with you.”
You shook your head, feeling the sting of his words. “That’s just it, Jack. I don’t want to be an afterthought, something you can brush aside while you’re out living your dream. I want to be part of it, even if it’s from a distance. I need to feel like you still care.”
Your words hung in the air, the weight of them heavy and undeniable. Jack sighed, his hand running through his hair, but you could see the turmoil in his eyes, the way he was wrestling with the truth of your words.
After a moment, he reached out and gently took your hand, finally letting his walls down. “I’m sorry, Y/N. I'm so fucking sorry” he whispered, his voice thick with regret. “I didn’t realize how much I was hurting you. I got so caught up in my own world that I forgot... I forgot that you were here, waiting for me.”
Tears brimmed in your eyes as he pulled you into a tight hug, holding you like he hadn’t in a very long time. The silence between the two of you softened, filled with the unspoken understanding that you both needed to find a way to bridge the gap that had grown between you two.
“I’ll try harder,” he promised, his voice barely a whisper. “I don’t want to lose you.”
You held him closer, hoping that, for once, his words would be more than just empty promises.
Requested by jusjeno I hope you enjoy! Thank you so much for reading and requesting! Feel free to leave a request!
