Page 138 of Payoff Pitch
She smiles. “We just might.”
“As long as our little girl is a happy one.”
She nods. “She most definitely is. She’s perfect. I love everything about the young lady she’s becoming.”
“I mostly agree with that statement, but is she calling youMominstead ofMommyall of a sudden? She started calling meDadand it’s driving me nuts.”
She giggles. “Yes, I hate it too. At least it’s notbruh. Cassandra said that Dylan has started calling herbruh.”
I chuckle. “Yep. That’s worse.”
Fallon sighs. “She’s growing up too fast. She’ll be off to college in the blink of an eye.”
I suck in a breath. “Bite your tongue. I hate that thought. What about you? Do you want more kids?”
She shrugs. “In an ideal world, yes. I’m getting dangerously close to it being too late. It’s not like I have any prospective fathers.”
“You’re a catch, Fallon. You need to get out there.”
“I’m at a weird age in the dating world. It’s the age where you can either date a guy or his father and both are socially acceptable.”
I let out a laugh.
She smirks. “No judgment from you.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “No judgment at all.”
“Though I was thinking about Jett after he reached out. I can’t believe I’m at an age where the coach is more appealing to me than the players.”
I wiggle my eyebrows. “Somehow, I’m back to the players. I’m not sure how that happened. It was never my plan. I know you’re not asking for my permission or my opinion, but I think you should give things a chance with Jett. At least I know he’s a good guy who will treat you right.”
She’s silent for a moment before she takes my hand. “I know we’ve never truly discussed it, and I know you prefer it that way, but I’m genuinely sorry for how things ended. I sometimes feel like part of the reason I rarely date is topunish myself for what I did.” Tears fill her eyes. “I’m honestly happy that you’re considering something real with Bailey. I’ve always felt like it was my fault that you closed yourself off. That I damaged you beyond repair. Hearing that you’re opening your heart again is…is…liberating for me.”
I squeeze her hand in return. “I didn’t know you felt that way. Fallon, I’m just as much, if not more, to blame for what happened to us. Your infidelity was a result of my actions. My neglect. I was a bad husband to you. If I end up doing this again, I know I need to be better.”
“But—”
“But nothing. When I say that what happened is water under the bridge, I mean it. I’m sorry if I’ve held you back. You’re a wonderful woman with so much to give. You deserve happiness. While the type of love I have for you has changed over the years, I will always love and care about you. Hear me. Nothing would make me happier than to see you happy. I want you to find someone who thinks the world revolves around you. Even after everything we’ve been through, that’s what I think you deserve. I know you want more kids. I want that for you too. Hear me, Fallon. You deserve that. Stop punishing yourself.”
Tears stream down her cheeks as she wordlessly nods. I had no idea how much she needed to hear this. I had no idea how much I needed to have this conversation with her for both me and her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
BAILEY
We’re awakened in the morning to Arizona running into our room shouting, “It’s my wedding day!”
Kam mumbles, “Oh Christ. Don’t be one of those brides.”
I kick her under the covers before smiling at Arizona. “We’re so excited. Are you nervous?”
She shrugs. “I mean, we’re already legally married and I’ve already got a bun in the oven. This is just the icing on the cake.”
Arizona became pregnant right at the beginning of the season. She’s only a few months along and is barely showing. If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t know.
She insisted on playing the whole season. We all held our breath anytime she was in a physical play at home plate, but the pregnancy is healthy, and she’s feeling great. She’s finding out the sex in a few weeks.
We won another league championship last week, and now it’s finally her wedding day. Her second wedding day.