46. ISABELLA
forty-six
The next two weeks are extremely busy.
Just as Nick promised.
My work email has been flooded with book cover requests. And the book box company I was able to snag a deal with before my photos with Mateo went viral is offering me an insane amount of money to be their in-house cover designer. They want to give me a set salary for giving them a certain number of exclusive covers for the next year.
Mateo hovers over my shoulder, reading as many incoming emails as I allow him, like a proud stage parent. Going as far as flagging certain emails that praise the work posted on my Instagram page and requesting I print them. Creating what he calls the “my woman is a badass” folder.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take a peek inside every other day or so and pinch myself, since it’s hard to believe that this is my life now.
A life that includes family dinners, where my mom and Bethzaida go to town in Mateo’s kitchen as he and my dad get lost in deep baseball history conversations while setting the table and keeping Anna entertained. The house speakers are on most of the time now, having an array of music playing at all times. Though the moms usually take over that arena as well when they come over. “Matí, have you told Isabella how much you love Ednita Nazario yet? Oh and don’t forget Luis Fonsi!” Bethzaida once shouted over her shoulder as Mateo groaned from the couch.
But the most interesting thing happened this morning in bed.
When Mateo fired me.
Yep, that’s right. What was once my worst fear was now just plain rude.
“I didn’t even earn a strike!” I argued as Mateo laughed.
“You’ll always be there for Anna and me. I know that in my heart. But you got yourself a big girl job now that you need to focus on. I’ll worry about finding your replacement, if we even need one between you, me, and my mother.”
“My work schedule is flexible, and I work better early in the morning or late at night anyway. So I could still pick up and drop off Anna from school. I really don’t mind.”
“And if you can’t, my mother or I can step in. Ever since we decided to cut back on Anna’s extracurriculars, the scheduling has been easier to manage anyway.”
“Or my mom. She’s been glued to Anna’s side since the charity game.”
“Exactly. We got a nice crew going for us. So having you in a nanny position doesn’t really make sense anymore, especially since the world now knows about us.”
I fake gasped. “And what will they say when they find out you’ve been nailing the nanny instead of a ‘family friend turned more’?”
“Did I already tell you that you’re fired? Might want to nail the nanny one more time.”
“At least I get to keep my benefits.”
And now I’m home, a place that I’m getting more and more comfortable calling my own. I’m making myself a cup of coffee before getting ready to answer my overflowing emails when Mateo walks into the kitchen.
He has his practice bag in hand and a worried look on his face.
“Got a second to talk?” he asks as he drops the bag to the floor by the island.
“Yeah, what’s wrong?” I put my coffee down as I round the corner and make my way to him.
He pulls me into his arms and holds me a bit too tightly.
“Breathing would be nice.” My words are muffled into his chest.
“Sorry.” He releases me slightly, then plants a deep kiss on my lips.
I put my hands on his cheeks and study his golden eyes, taking in the concern laced in them.
“What is it, babe?”
He sighs. “I was thinking maybe you stay home tomorrow instead of coming to my game.”
I’m taken aback. I haven’t missed a single home game since I’ve been living here, and I don’t understand why he would want me to start now. “But it’s the big one. We’ll know tomorrow whether the Monarchs have made the World Series. Why would I miss out on that?”
He squints his eyes slightly. “How about you just take my word for it and agree nicely?” I drop my hands and cross my arms in front of my chest, my face surely giving off the annoyance radiating from my body. “Yeah. Figured.” He sighs.
Without another warning, his hands find purchase on my hips, and he’s setting me on the kitchen island. My legs naturally open to make room for him as he settles in.
“You know what team we’re playing against, right?” he starts, and I nod.
“It’s not the first time you’ve played against the San Diego Sparks. It wasn’t a problem before.” My tone is clipped at the reminder of the team he has to play against.
Jeremy’s team.
Although it’s hardly that, since he’s been out most of the season with an injury. So Mateo hasn’t had to pitch against him. He’s been on medical leave and hasn’t been obligated to attend away games, so it truly has been fine.
“He’s cleared to play tomorrow night, baby. So I’ll be playing against him for the first time since you and I…”
“Oh.” My heart sinks.
Not only at the reminder of my sleazy ex, but because Mateo even has to worry about something like this during such a monumental game.
I’ve grown from my past. I’m not the person I used to be. But I can’t deny it’s a gut punch imagining my new love playing against my spineless ex.
But it’s an even worse feeling imagining myself hiding back here, once again in the shadows, while Mateo sees my empty seat in the stands.
With that thought, I lean forward and kiss him. It’s much deeper than I anticipated, but he welcomes the affection freely.
“I’m coming to your game, and you’re gonna put on a hell of a show.” I look up into his smiling eyes.
“Oh yeah? And why’s that?”
“Because you’ve got someone you want to impress coming to the game.” I shrug my shoulders. “So don’t let me down, Martinez.”