Chapter Sixteen #2
years, I never thought I’d end up here.”
“And where is here?” he asks, still grinning.
“Nice try,” I say with a laugh.
“Hey, I can’t help that I’m curious.”
“I know, and I wish I could tell you more. I don’t know how
I’m going to last for a year and a half without telling anyone.”
“A year and a half? Seriously? Why so long?”
“That’s when it will finally debut. They’ll probably
announce it sooner, but I don’t know when.”
“Oh. So, how does this work with voice recordings? I’m
guessing you can record your part almost anywhere, right? Do they have a place
in Florida for you to do it?”
“Actually, all the recording will be done here in LA,” I
tell him. “I don’t have a full schedule yet, but I know I have to record here
every other week for the rest of the year.”
He doesn’t respond right away, and I am tempted to mention how
maybe this will be a good thing, considering how awkward it’s been living with
his parents. But it could also open the door for him to spend more time in
California with me.
“Why don’t you fly out and stay with me? It will be like old
times. Jen really misses you, too.”
He laughs softly. “Um, yeah. I’m sure she does.”
“Come on, Christian. Think of how much fun it will be. We’ll
get to see friends we haven’t seen in a long time and eat at some of our
favorite places.”
“You know I’m in training, Ella Rose. I can’t take time off
from that. Especially not after the way my last season went.”
“You’re always in training,” I murmur. “And there are
facilities here you can use. Trainers you can work with.”
“Not Archers’ trainers.”
Closing my eyes, I mentally count to ten. “I know they won’t
be Archers’ trainers, but you can come out for just a long weekend. You know
the exercises you have to do for physical therapy, and our apartment complex
has a great gym. Spring training doesn’t start for another month. Please.
Please come to California. It’s just a few days.”
“I don’t see why you can’t fly home on the weekends. You
won’t be recording seven days a week. It makes more sense.”
For a moment, I’m speechless.
“Does it? It’s just as easy for you to take three days off
as it is for me. And at least if you come here, I know we’ll both be
able to relax and enjoy ourselves.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” All amusement fades, and he
frowns.
“It means…”
Dare I say it?
“It means I understand why we’re staying with your parents.
I understand that we both agreed to wait to buy a home until we know where your
career will land. And I also know that we are trying to be financially
responsible. However…” I pause and hope I’m not about to start a huge fight.
“Things are extremely awkward in your parents’ home. I mean, your mother is so
wonderful and welcoming, and you know I adore her, but I feel like I’m always
being watched and judged by your dad. And to be honest, I’m tired of it. I’ve
been nothing but nice and appreciative to him, yet he finds fault with
everything I do.”
He laughs again. “Is that all? Ella Rose, I told you, that’s
the way he is. You can’t take it personally.”
“But I do!” My frustration is bubbling over now. “Maybe
you’re used to it, Christian, but I’m not. That’s not the way my dad talks to
me. Not now, not ever. I get that it’s his way, but I don’t have to like it.”
“Okay, but…”
“I adore your mother and your siblings, and I can deal with
your dad, too, but living with him is a whole different ballgame.”
No response.
“Look, the last thing I want to do is fight over this. But
would it really be awful if, this once, you came here?”
“This once? Ella Rose, I’ve traveled to see you as
much as you’ve traveled to see me.”
That’s not really true, but I’m not going there.
“And I’m asking you to do this for me this time, okay? I’m
so happy about this role and all the possibilities, and I want to celebrate.
However, if I fly to Florida, we’ll be surrounded by people, and I cannot risk
violating my NDA in any way. Plus, I really need some time with just you and me
without your dad listening to my every step…literally my every step.”
He’s quiet, but not for long.
“I guess so.”
“Thank you.”
I’m not sure what to say next because I don’t want to be all
giddy and start making plans for the weekend, but I also don’t want to randomly
change the subject.
But that’s what I do.
“How was physical therapy today?”
“You know, the usual. My body isn’t exactly doing what I want
it to do, but it’s also not freaking the therapists out, so I’m taking that as
a good sign.”
“Well…okay. Sure. I guess that could be a good sign. Have
you talked to the team doctors? Is there anything more you should be doing?”
“They aren’t going to tell me anything the therapists
haven’t already. I played hard last season, and it takes time to heal. But not
the type of healing that requires me to sit at home wrapped in bubble wrap.”
“No one said bubble wrap…”
But I’ve certainly thought about it a time or two.
“You know what I’m saying. You’re worried, and I understand
that. But at the end of the day, you need to trust me. I’ve been an athlete for
practically my entire life. By the time spring training starts, I’ll be ready.”
It’s not that I don’t want to believe him, but I’m not sure
I do.
“Maybe you can reach out to some of your old trainers from
the Magic while you’re here?”
“That’s not allowed, Ella Rose”
“Okay,” I say, somewhat defeated because I thought it was a
good idea.
“So, um…what do you think?”
“About…?”
I try not to roll my eyes, but I do. “Coming to LA this
weekend.”
“Oh, uh…sure. I’ll book my flight and plan on being there
sometime Friday afternoon.”
“Yay! Do you want to go out to eat anywhere special? I can
make us reservations, or we can wing it, or…”
“How about a pizza date like we used to do?”
Aww…
“I think that sounds perfect. I love you, Christian.”
“I love you, too, Ella Rose. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“Good night.”
I hang up and collapse back onto my bed. I love that I still
have an apartment to come back to when I need it. It’s comfy and familiar, and
it comes with one of my very best friends.
That’s when I toss my phone down and go in search of Jen.
She was out of town when I arrived, doing hair and makeup for a music video,
but she should be home by now. Plus, I would love for us to get some takeout
and eat dinner in our jammies while we catch up on each other’s lives. We talk
on the phone a lot, but it’s not the same as having a conversation in person.
I hear the front door open and am pleasantly surprised when
I see her walking in with a bag of what looks suspiciously like Thai from one
of our favorite restaurants.
“You’re home!”
“I am,” she says with a grin. Once she puts everything down
on the coffee table, she hugs me, and I hold on for longer than usual. “I
missed you.”
“Missed you, too.” If I’m not mistaken, she’s holding on
tightly, too.
When we finally break apart, we both look a little
teary-eyed.
“I was hoping you’d want to eat in tonight,” she says. “I
was going to call and ask what you wanted me to pick up, but I was craving
Thai. I hope that’s okay.”
“Are you kidding? Yes. It’s like you were reading my mind.”
“Jammies first?” she asks with a grin.
“Absolutely.”
“Meet you back here in five.”
So, we do, and it’s like no time has passed.
I grab the dishes and silverware, she gets our drinks, and
we set up everything on the coffee table before getting comfy on the couch.
“So?” she begins. “You got the voice job, huh?”
I quickly take a bite of my dinner before nodding.
“And you can’t talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“Bummer. But are you excited about it?”
“I am. It’s a matter of playing the long game, you know?
Like, so much has to happen before it even gets announced.”
“But you can still take other roles in the meantime, right?”
“Absolutely. I just have to make sure it doesn’t interfere
with recording.”
“And you’ll be recording here in LA?”
I nod around another forkful of food.
She studies me for a moment. “And how does Christian feel
about that?”
I keep zero secrets from Jen.
Okay, maybe not zero, but I tell her more than I tell
everyone except my mom.
“I don’t think he has a problem with my being here.
Especially since it’s for such a major project.”
“But…?”
“But,” I begin with a sigh, “our biggest issue right now is
whether he’ll come to visit me here or I’ll fly back to Florida.”
“I figured you’d divvy it up. You know, sometimes he comes
here, and sometimes you go there.”
I tell her about my interactions with his dad.
“Are you kidding me? Still? What is that man’s problem?
You’ve been nothing but an awesome wife to his son, and I’m sure you’re like
the best daughter-in-law in the world.”
I relax a little at her praise. “Thank you, you’re very
kind. Let’s just say that positive reinforcement really isn’t his thing.” I
shake my head. “It’s tolerable when we go and visit for a long weekend or
something, but living in the same house is starting to be a real issue for me.”
“So, why doesn’t Christian tell his father to ease up?”
“He keeps telling me it’s the way his dad is, that he won’t