I’d had my chance to speak and chosen to be silent. I swallowed. If Michael took the job, somehow, I’d have to find the words. Calmness and peace would never be my life, not in that huge city. My heart raced at the thought of being stuck there. I couldn’t turn into my mother like this and disappear. I'd behaved just like her right now. My mind raced. Would I transform into my mother if I just accepted this silently?
Michael asked his father, “If we move to Texas, it’s warm there, Dad.”
Warm was good. I took a deep breath. Nothing was set in stone yet.
Tom gave him a thumbs-up and said, “I always liked it there.”
“So you’ll move?” Michael asked.
Guess I knew where he wanted, and it wasn’t crazy New York. My stomach relaxed as I went to help Sarah carry the cheese plate as Michael said, “It will be good to have our family close and to get to know Jeremy.”
“I’d like that, Mom,” Jeremy said and tapped Michael’s father like they were already bonded.
I put the tray back in the huge refrigerator. Michael followed me and picked up his keys.
He beamed at me like he was so close to everything he wanted. “Text Phil. Tell him we want the Texas teams as the number one and two choices.”
His gaze met mine as he asked, “You’re sure?”
This could all destroy me. He waved for me to join him and then opened the garage door for me, grabbed his cowboy hat, and tossed it on his head. “Yeah. Let’s get in the car to get the beers.” Jeremy came out and Michael then asked him, “You want to stay or come, Jeremy?”
“I’ll stay. See you soon.” He waved and then joined his grandmother at the sink to help with the dishes.
I glanced back one more time and followed Michael out. I wasn’t losing myself because I loved Michael.
The thought stilled me until he opened my door.
I jumped in and hoped I could, somehow, will words out of my mouth. This silence that overcame me, paralyzed me.
Love was bad when it froze my voice. Today couldn’t be the start of that horrible fate. I couldn’t let it destroy me.
Chapter 12
Michael
New York before taxes was the best offer and the closest to my goals. Without one word I understood Georgie wasn’t on board with the plan. My hair stood on its ends at the thought that I could lose out on my thirty million a year for ten years plan because Georgie didn’t want New York.
She hadn’t said too much negative, but her lack of color when the numbers had been read was a hint. My spine had tightened.
I refused to be loyal to any team, but history showed they cared about their team and paid their players. At twenty-nine million, they were inches from my finish line.
Boston wasn’t too far behind my final number either. Money meant I’d provide for my son and have a stronger portfolio for his children’s children. Investments require security and swinging my bat for the highest price guaranteed this. I’d spent my life preparing for this moment. I’d be stupid if I had to give up on the big boys with the large checks…
Rather than discuss it, Georgie kept quiet beside me on a small trip to the grocery and liquor store.
Dad hadn’t asked for more steaks or potatoes, but I knew my dad. I’d grab corn on the cob, fresh steaks, not frozen, and a bag of potatoes.
The barbeque would be awesome as my dad made the best grill chef. My phone beeped as we made it closer to the store, and I parked when I read his message. “Get extra in case anyone wants seconds.”
She sucked in her top lip and then let it out. “Sounds good. I’ve not had steak on a grill in a long time.”
“I texted my dad 'no problem',” I said, and quickly sent the text. Then I opened my door. I went to her side, but she'd already let herself out.
“He’ll want Corona, but I like Guinness.”
She linked her arm with mine and said, “And your mom?”
I told her as we headed into the liquor store and added our items to the maroon cart. “White wine.”
She read a few labels and I pointed to one I knew Mom liked.
“Okay,” she said.
We had three drinks in the cart now. “And you?”
She avoided my gaze. “I’m not picky.”
I pointed around the store and said, “The world is your oyster. Get what you want, including non-alcoholic if that’s your preference.”
Her face turned bright red as she blushed and squared her shoulders. “I want…to not be dragged to New York.”
Goosebumps grew on my arm like she didn’t support my choice anymore, though she hadn’t said officially. We headed to the cashier. “What’s wrong with New York? It’s a fun place.”
I gave the clerk my card and turned from Georgie for a moment. Her frown was clear from her profile, but once we paid and had our bags Georgie said, “I’ve been to Manhattan, and I needed a vacation to get over it.”
I carried our bags to the trunk of the car and ignored how my heart raced as I said, “We don’t have to live in Manhattan.”
She scoffed and raised her eyebrow. “You want the best of the best, and I can’t change who I am to live in New York. I wouldn’t know how.”
I closed the door and took a deep breath. No need to stress as it was only a possibility as this point. “Texas would make my dad happy as well as you.”
She walked with me to the grocery store without a glance, but said with a frown, “I might hate it there too. I’ve never been.”
I needed her and baseball to make my life whole. This was what we'd agreed to when I'd told her
