Chapter 46
Forty-Six
I refuse to count the amount of texts I’ve sent Maggie in the last week. I’ve begged her to talk to me about going forward. I’m ready to make a move. But she’s told me to wait… and that’s it.
I’m trying to convince her. I’m trying to make her understand how serious I feel about this. Of course I don’t want to lose soccer, but I don’t want to miss this chance with her even more.
She sends back the same text every single time:
Just hold off.
Waiting. I hate waiting. I’m not even sure what this means.
We’ve both been out of town, me in Chicago, Maggie in Seattle. We’re back home, and we both have a couple days off. It’s now or never. I have to convince this woman that I’m earnest.
“Hear me out,” I say the second she picks up the phone. “I have a plan.” I just need to know that she’s on board with the plan.
“Why don’t you come over?” she says, her tone so much calmer than mine.
“Me, come to you?” I don’t know why I’m so surprised by the invitation; I’ve spent many days in the McCrae home since Maggie and I started not-dating.
“Do you have time?”
“I do!” I’m too eager, but it’s how I feel. “Now? I can be there in half an hour.”
“If you speed,” she says. “Drive the speed limit, be safe, and I’ll see you in forty minutes.”
I swallow, my breath catching in my throat.
“We need to talk,” Maggie says. “See you soon.”
The elation coursing through me pitters out. Talk. We need to talk. Why does that sound wrong?
I snatch my car keys, but my heart is thumping, and not in a good way. I’m probably being irrational or oversensitive.
Me: When a woman says, “We need to talk,” that means??
Roman: Never good.
Me: Never? Are you sure?
Zev: Positive.
Callum: Maggie didn’t say that… Did she?
Me: No. Just asking. For a friend.
Roman: Nothing good ever came from the word TALK.
Callum: I have to agree.
Zev: I would have thought experienced Lucca would know that.
Me: How would I know? I’ve never had a woman say that to me before. Never has a woman rejected me.
Roman: Wait. Are you getting rejected?
Callum: I thought you were asking for a friend.
Me: I am. Now tell me what to do.
Roman: Lucca…
Me: Maggie might have said it.
Zev: Oh boy.
Roman: Dang.
Callum: What did she say exactly?
Me: She asked me to come over. All good. Then she ended with, “We need to talk.”
Spilling my guts leaves me with thinking bubbles from all three of my friends.
Roman: Stella says she could just want to talk.
Zev: Rosalie says yes, she wants to talk, and it’s not going to be pretty. Sorry, bro.
Callum: Did he really need to know that? We all know that. But you didn’t have to say that to him.
Me: You’re kidding, right? No hope at all?
Callum: There’s always hope.
Callum: Fran says when you get back, come over. She’s leaving to buy cookies and cream ice cream this very second.
My favorite. Fran’s buying my favorite ice cream. That feels significant.
Roman: We’re here for you, Lucca. Let us know when you get back.
They all think I’m headed toward the end. Every one of them. Even optimistic Callum and gentle Zev.
I stand in the doorway of my apartment, torn between not wanting to move and wanting to talk to Maggie. There’s so much more I want to say—and in person.
So, I pick up my feet and head out the door. She’s waiting for me. What choice do I have?
I’m too anxious and my foot is too heavy. I make it to Canyon Falls in thirty-one minutes. I pull up to Maggie’s house, and before I can think too much about what she wants to say, I remind myself of what I want to discuss. I want to talk, too—and none of it’s bad.
I pound on the front door, pain shooting through the knuckles of my right hand.
Gordon opens up and grins at the sight of me. “Lucca!” he says. “I just got a package. You’re gonna want to see this. Have you heard of Evander Holyfield?”
I set both hands on the man’s shoulders, heart pounding. “Gordon, I want to see whatever weird, wacky thing you’ve ordered off the internet. I do. But I need to see Maggie first. Okay?”
“Sure. Come in, son. She’s downstairs in her room.”
I push past Gordon and speed through the McCraes’ front room to their basement stairs. I know where Maggie’s room is, and I’m too amped up to worry about the consequences of just barging in.
I trot down the stairs, thankfully not running into anyone else in the family.
Without even a knock, I twist the knob on Maggie’s door and step inside.
She’s barefoot, in sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt.
Her hair is on top of her head with strings falling about her face.
She’s a vision. And I’ve no doubt of the feelings I’m having or the choices I’ve made.
I charge over to her.
“I was just about to change—”
But I cut her off, scooping one arm around her back, pulling her against me, my opposite hand cupping the back of her head. I press one hard kiss to her mouth. “This is worth it,” I say. “We are worth the risk. And I’ll never forgive myself if we don’t take the chance.”
Her eyes turn to slits. “Finished?”
“That depends on your answer.” I press another kiss to her lips. She kisses me back, her lips beckoning me on. I tease her mouth open, and she melts into me. All good signs.
“How about now?” she says, this time her voice slightly weaker. “All done?”
I nod, swallow, and wait for her to talk.
“I’m going to change my clothes—”
“What for? You look hot.”
She smirks. “Well, I slept in these things. So, I’m changing anyway. You go upstairs. Gather up my family. I have something to share.”
I study her. Gather the family? I can’t imagine Maggie gathering her family to break my heart. She’s too kind.
“Okay,” I say. “I meant what I said.” I exhale. “We’re worth this.”
She breathes out a laugh. “I heard you. I believe you. Now, go.”
So, I find Gordon. I relay the message, and he gathers Hailey and Lindy while I get Wyatt.
“Do you think she’s buying a cat? Grandpa’s allergic, and now we have Nanners, but she still might be going for it.
” Wyatt slips his hand into mine, and together we walk into the McCraes’ living room.
“Or maybe she’s taking us all to Disneyland.
I’ve never been, but Aunt Maggie said she’d take me one day, and Aunt Maggie never breaks promises.
” He shakes my hand in his, his excitement growing. “Lucca! Maybe today is the day!”
Maybe today is the day. “I honestly hope so,” I tell him.
Hailey follows Wyatt and me in, then Maggie comes up the stairs. Jeans, T-shirt, and her hair falling in damp waves over her shoulders.
Dang, she’s beautiful.
“Family, Lucca,” she says, her hands clasped in front of her. “Sit. I have something I wanted to talk to all of you about.”
Surely, she isn’t breaking up with all of us. My friends are full of crap.
“Six months ago, I was offered a promotion.” Her eyes scan over each of us, lingering on me for twice as long as the rest. “I’m certified to ref in the major league, and six months ago, they came calling.” She swallows, her eyes again falling on me.
I move to the edge of my seat, unsure what’s happening here. Is Maggie moving? Maybe she is breaking up with all of us. And leaving town.
“At that time, I chose to turn it down. But now”—she licks her lips, staring at me and only me now—“I’ve changed my mind. I called the Professional Referee Organization, and the offer still stands.” She pulls in a breath through her nose and exhales, slow and shaky.
“Yes!” Wyatt breaks the silence by pumping one fist in the air. No Disneyland, but he’s happy for his aunt. He is a sweet kid.
“If you aren’t all on board, I won’t accept.” With wide brown eyes, she scans her family. “It’s going to mean more work trips. And my schedule is going to be busier. I’ll have to accept more jobs. It means less time for me at home.” She stares at Lindy. “Someone will have to pick up my slack.”
“That’s okay,” her sister says with a grin. “I’m in.”
“Me, too,” Hailey says.
“So proud of you, darling,” Gordon tells her.
“And you?” she says, looking at me.
“This means…” I start, my heart pattering until I think it might explode.
Her chest rises with a deep breath. “It means I will no longer be affiliated with the minor league.”
I stand, certain that if I don’t, I’ll black out. I take one step toward her, not caring that the entire McCrae family watches me. “Which also means—”
“Which also means,” she says, “Lucca Cruz, I am officially yours.”
I laugh, swooping in and wrapping my arms around her back. Picking her up, I hold her close and swing her around once. Maggie wraps her arms around my neck, and I tilt my head to hers, kissing her sweet lips.
I kiss her until Wyatt starts to giggle and Gordon clears his throat.
“Mine,” I whisper against her lips.
“If you’ll have me,” she says.
“That’s all I want,” I tell her, and despite the audience, I peck her lips once more.