Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I’m on the edge of my seat the whole game. Even Cole is hooked because he doesn’t get up once for food or candy.
By the end of the game—the Bears win—it’s been a rollercoaster of an evening, and I feel physically and mentally exhausted.
Holden ended up hitting two home runs and made a huge play at home. I’ve watched him closely, hoping he wouldn’t have any pain, and it appears he’s feeling good.
After the team gives celebratory high-fives, Holden points at me in the stand for us to come down. “Uh, I think Holden wants us to come down to the field.”
Chrissy just laughs. “Uh, he doesn’t want us down there. He’s pointing at you and Cole.”
I nod. “Right, well, I want to check on how his arm is feeling anyway.”
Chrissy just gives me a knowing nod and practically shoves me out of the aisle. Cole and I walk toward the fence, and a security guard is standing at the gate. Holden runs over to us. “Charlie, they’re with me.”
The security guard nods his head. “Good job tonight, Holden. Glad to see you back.”
He opens the gate and waves me and Cole through.
Holden pulls Cole and me into a hug, and I’m tense, fighting not to melt into his hold. I pull back and awkwardly pat him on the shoulder. “Good game, Holden.”
Cole is staring up at Holden like he hung the moon. “It was a great game, Holden.”
He scruffs Cole’s hair. “Thanks, bud.”
“So how do you feel? Any pain? Tightness?”
He laughs and rolls his shoulder. “I feel great, and don’t worry, the trainer already said he’s meeting me in the therapy room to do some recovery on my arm.”
“Great.” I pull Cole toward me. “Well, we’ll get out of your hair. It’s been great working with you, Holden, and—”
He cuts me off. “I’ll see you at home later and—”
I blurt out without even thinking. “I moved our stuff back home.”
His mouth drops open. “You what?”
And at the same time, Cole turns to look at me in surprise. “Mom!”
I look Cole in his face, and I feel like crap that I’m putting him through this. I should have never put him in this position to have his heart broken. “Son, we knew this was temporary.”
He’s shaking his head in disbelief. “But I thought…”
Holden puts his hand on Cole’s shoulder. “Cole, why don’t you go talk to Carter. I talked to him about showing you his slider.”
“Really?”
Holden smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, go check it out. It really moves when he throws it.”
Cole walks over to Carter, and Holden gives them a nod before turning back at me. “What are you doing, Cat?”
I jut my chin at him defiantly.
His gaze softens. “Why are you doing this?”
I cross my arms over my chest and tell myself that I’m not going to cry. I’m trying to appear tough and in control, but I’m spiraling. “Because we both knew this was coming. This was temporary… a fling.” I take a step back. “And it’s over.”
He’s staring at me in shock. Everyone is laughing and having a good time around us, and I’ve completely ruined his night for him. “Look, go celebrate with your team. This is huge, Holden. You’re back. You’re in the playoffs.”
He steps toward me, and his voice is low. “I was there, Cat. This was more than a fling, and you know it. You’re scared, that’s all. You’re scared, and you’re running away.”
I give him a dismissive wave of my hand. “I’m not running away. We agreed—”
He’s angry and barely able to contain himself. He’s gritting his teeth. “I agreed to keep this between us until we were no longer working together. I didn’t agree that this was a fling or something temporary.”
I can’t take much more of this. He could easily wear me down, but I have to remind myself that in the long run, this is for the best. “Stop. It’s over, Holden. You and I are done.”
His mouth drops at the same time Cole comes back over to where we’re standing. “You guys okay? Because everyone is watching you.”
I force a smile to my face. “Of course, everything is okay. Tell Holden bye, honey.”
Cole wants to argue with me, but he can either tell I’m barely holding on here or he knows that now is not a good time to disagree with me. “Bye, Holden. I have a game tomorrow so won’t be able to watch you play, but good luck. I hope you win.”
Holden grips him on the shoulder. “Good luck at your game tomorrow. Just go out there and do your thing. Don’t get too into your head and you got this.”
Cole is biting his lip, but he nods his head. “Okay.”
I put my arm around my son’s shoulder. “Bye, Holden. Thank you for… everything.”