Chapter Six #2
worrying about getting better. This is his livelihood. You know what that’s
like, Ella. You know if there was something you needed to do to keep acting,
you’d do it. And you have.”
“I know that,” I say.
“And it isn’t always convenient. It isn’t always easy. But
when you’re passionate about your career, you do what needs to be done.”
I nod and try not to get frustrated because I’m ready to
snap, “I know that, Mom!”, but she’s only being helpful. It’s not her
fault that I’m in a miserable mood.
“We just really hit it off, and now he’s going to be gone
for a few weeks—maybe a month—and, you know, that’s why I’m sad.”
“Obviously, you’ll be able to talk to him,” she reasons. “He
won’t be in physical therapy all day, every day, so there’s that. And he can
fly back on the weekends. Is that an option? I know it’s not cheap, and it
might not be completely practical, but maybe you two can trade off, him coming
home one weekend and then you visiting him the next.”
“He actually asked me to go with him,” I murmur.
“And you turned him down?” she asks incredulously.
If I were sipping my tea, I would have spit it clear across
the room.
“Um, excuse me? Are you telling me I should have followed a
man I just met to another state and stayed in a hotel with him?”
“Well, I’m not saying you need to share a room with him,”
she says primly.
I’m honestly in total shock right now because it sounds
like my sweet, little, Southern, Christian mama is encouraging me to go and
stay with him.
Well, not with him, but, you know, with him.
Ugh. When did my personal life get this crazy?
“Mom, come on. You can’t be serious.” I laugh nervously
again because I think she’s joking, and yet, she’s not.
“Ella, sometimes you have to claim what’s yours,” she says
with complete confidence. “If you feel this strongly about him, and he feels
the same about you, then you need to be with him.”
“But…”
“No buts. If you were anybody else, I would not encourage this
at all. But you, my sweet girl, are the most levelheaded person I know. You
dream big, and you always go after what you want. Why shouldn’t it be Christian
Lucas?”
I have no response. She’s left me totally speechless.
“What’s your schedule like for the next few weeks? Are you
filming anything you need to be in town for?”
I think about it for a moment. “No. I just finished filming
something last week, and my schedule’s clear for a little while. I typically
spend my downtime looking at what’s being cast and then meeting with my agent
so she can get me auditions.”
“You can still do that in Arizona. If there’s something you
have to audition for, you can easily fly back to LA. It’s not like you’re
stranded out there or even have to stay for the entire time he’s there. For all
you know, you may hate it. Or maybe you and Christian won’t feel as comfortable
as you think you might.”
“I doubt that, Mom. He’s…” I sigh. “Do you remember when I
was little and would just know what I wanted to do? The lessons I
wanted to take, the roles I wanted to play? I know Christian’s not a lesson or
a role, but a part of me, something deep in my heart, knows he’s meant to be in
my life.”
For a moment, neither of us says a word. My heart’s racing
because I’m essentially saying that I’m in love with this man without actually
saying the words.
“I have always believed in you,” my mother says, her voice
gentle and soothing. “You were never a girl who chased after the boys, and you
were always very selective with the ones you dated. If your heart is telling
you that this man is the one, then why wouldn’t you go to Arizona?”
“Because it sounds crazy to jump on a plane and stay with a
guy I just met, especially a famous baseball player,” I say with a laugh. This
time, it’s humor and not nerves. “I don’t want to give anyone the wrong idea.
You know, there are women out there who chase after professional athletes, and
I certainly don’t want anyone accusing me of that.”
“Anyone who knows you, knows you wouldn’t do that.”
“You and Dad raised me to be responsible, practical, and
levelheaded. And I have been.”
“Going to Arizona won’t change that, Ella. I think this is
something you have to do.”
And it is.
“I know this is crazy,” I say, because I need her to know
that I realize it. “But he’s a good man, I promise. We’ve talked for hours, and
I feel like I’ve known him forever. It’s just…different. There’s a connection
I’ve never felt with anyone else.”
“That’s how it is when you meet your person. The one. I
always told you that when you met ‘the one,’ you’d just know.” She goes quiet
for a moment. “You’re sure about this?”
I hear the concern in her voice, and I wish she were here so
I could hug her. “I really am, but it means everything to me that you support
my decision.” I pause and laugh. “Well, you’re basically the reason I’m doing
this. Without your encouragement, I would have played it safe and hated every
minute of Christian’s time away.”
“I’m glad, sweetheart. It’s my job to encourage you and to
be your biggest cheerleader. That will never change, no matter how old you
get.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I realize I’ve had that reaction
more lately than I ever have in my life. I guess this is my emotional era. I
wipe my eyes and smile. “I can’t believe I’m really going to do this.”
“I don’t know why. You’ve always had a fearless streak.”
She’s right. And hearing her say it makes my heart ease even
as a mix of relief and giddy excitement starts to bubble up. “Oh, my gosh. I’m
really doing this. I’m really going to get on a plane and go to Arizona to be
with Christian.” The little squeal of excitement that comes out sounds a bit
restrained for me, but I also don’t want to hurt Mom’s ears. “And you promise
you’re okay with this? You’re not, you know, just doing that supportive thing,
even though you think it might be a mistake?”
Her soft laughter is her first response. “Ella, I’m your
mother. I’m always going to worry. But if you believe in this, then I believe
in you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, go and make your plans, and be sure
to let me know what they are. It’s important that I know your flight info and
where you’ll be staying.”
That makes me smile. “I know it is. And I promise that I’ll
either call, text, or email as soon as I have all the details figured out.”
“Okay, then. Go. And good luck.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m gonna need it.”
We hang up after another round of I love yous,
and then I’m all alone as the enormity of the situation hits home.
I’ve packed up and moved for things I believed in before,
like going to college in Cincinnati and then moving here to LA. So, what makes
this any different? It’s not like I’m moving there. I’m just going for a few
days, tops.
Glancing at the clock, I know Christian’s already at the stadium
getting ready for the game, so I can’t call him and let him know I’ve changed
my mind. Now, it’s a matter of seeing when I can get a flight and how fast I
can leave.
Jumping off the bed, I take a quick bite of my muffin before
grabbing my laptop. Once I’m back on the bed with it and all the cake, I call
out to Jen.
A minute later, she’s standing in the doorway. “What’s up?”
“I’m going to Arizona,” I firmly state, right before she
starts asking about a thousand questions.
“How long will you be gone?”
“Um…”
“When are you leaving?”
“I’m just looking…”
“Does Christian know you’re coming?”
“He’s at the stadium getting ready for the game right now,
but—”
“What made you change your mind?”
“My mom said—”
“Where are you going to sleep?”
“Um…”
“Do I need to come and be a chaperone?”
On and on it goes, and I do my best to answer them all. When
she’s finally okay with all of it, we sit side by side as I research flights,
and we look up the hotel he’s staying at.
Things start to fall into place, and I decide to wait a
couple of days before joining him, so he can get settled at the hotel and meet
with his physical therapist. I’m sure once he has a schedule, it will make
things easier for us.
I just hope Christian hasn’t changed his mind about my being
there with him.
Late Wednesday afternoon, I land in Phoenix.
I waited until Monday night to tell Christian I was coming.
It was important to me that he meet with his trainers and see what they had in
store for him, then let it be his decision if he still wanted me to come.
Luckily, he was completely on board with my plan. I’m
staying through Sunday. Hopefully, by that time, we’ll have a clue as to how
long he’ll need to stay.
I’m walking out of baggage claim and looking for the car he
said he was sending for me. He offered, even though I said I didn’t mind
getting a cab. I take out my phone and re-read his earlier messages.
Christian: The driver will be there
when you land. He has your flight information.
Christian: When you step outside,
follow all the signs for rideshare.
Christian: It’s a black SUV, and
there’s a Magic logo on the door.
Christian: Text me when they pick you
up. I can’t wait to see you!
I realize that I’m standing and waiting in the wrong spot
and quickly follow the signs to the pickup area. It’s a lot farther than I
thought it would be, but luckily, I spot the Magic logo and notice a man
standing beside the SUV with a sign that says Ella Rose. I just love
how he calls me by my first and middle names. I am going to kiss Christian
silly when I see him.
“Good afternoon, Miss Holt,” the driver says as he steps
forward to help me with my bags. “How was your flight?”
“It was good. Thank you,” I say with a smile.
He loads my luggage into the back and then holds the door
open for me to climb into the back seat. Once he’s behind the wheel, he informs
me that there’s water waiting and even adjusts the temperature of the vehicle
for me.
I thank him again, and before I know it, we’re on our way.
Taking out my phone, I quickly tap out a text to Christian.
Ella: In the car and on my way.
Ella: I’ll text you when I’m settled in
my room. See you soon! xoxo
It’s only a short drive to the hotel, and I feel a bit