Chapter 12
Rhys
This was the part I wasn’t looking forward to. I threw the last of my things into a suitcase while Sloane was adorably perched on the edge of my bed. Rookie’s head plopped onto her lap, Sloane’s face scrunching when a string of drool landed on her thigh.
Away games.
I never used to mind the distance or the travel, but I hated the thought of leaving her here. She’d been living through this hell with Stu without me for months now, but I couldn’t help the dread that settled in my gut when I thought about the distance.
“You sure you’re gonna be okay?” I asked again.
She rolled her eyes, leaning back on her hands. “I’m a big girl, Rhys. I’ve lived on my own for quite some time now.”
“This is different, and you know it.”
“Trust me, I’m aware. But it’s not like you can stay with me twenty-four-seven. We both have commitments. If he shows up or I get freaked out, I’ll have Cam come over.” Sloane tilted her head, offering me a placating smile.
I already knew she wouldn’t, but I appreciated her attempt to calm my nerves about leaving her alone.
Ten days. We’d be on the road for ten days, and that meant ten days of Sloane coming and going by herself.
Ten days of her being unprotected. There were clearly no boundaries Stu wouldn’t cross when it came to her, and the thought terrified me.
I wasn’t dumb enough to think our little altercation outside the building was enough to keep him away.
He was a smart man. I would bet anything he knew my schedule and was already chomping at the bit for my plane to take off today.
“Promise you’ll call me if something is off?”
“I promise, Rhys. It’s ten days. I’ve lived with this for months. This is nothing.”
“Don’t remind me,” I ground out.
Sloane rolled her eyes and gently moved Rookie’s head from her lap before standing. “Phone charger?”
“Check.”
“Wallet?”
I patted my pockets to double-check. “Got it, mom.”
“Tiny little picture of me with hearts doodled around my face?”
I smirked, hoisting my duffel bag onto my shoulder.
“Never leave without it.” Snagging my suitcase, I wheeled it out of my room and across the hardwood, stopping by the front door.
“Four walks a day. Two scoops of food. Once in the morning, once a night. He won’t poop until after he eats, so you’ll have to take him out first thing and then feed him, then take him out again. ”
She followed behind me, bare feet padding against the floor. “I know, I know. Your high-maintenance dog will be well cared for. I already have a walker scheduled for the afternoons I can’t make it home.”
“If it gets to be too much, you can take him to my parents.”
“Rhys,” Sloane scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “I can take care of a damn dog.”
“I’m not insinuating that you can’t, Pip. But you’re also not used to walking around several times a day. I’m worried that if Stu knows I’m gone, he’s going to do anything he can to get access to you,” I replied, my voice raw.
Her face softened, her arms sagging to her side.
“I’ll be okay. Rook isn’t going to let anyone near me, you know that.
He practically ripped Dominic’s arm off when he gave me a noogie the other day.
I’ll be vigilant; I have mace. I won’t go far, I promise.
And if he shows up more than once, I’ll take Rook to your parents and sleep at Cami’s until you’re back, okay? ”
I swallowed against the lump forming in my throat. “Okay.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m used to this. I promise.”
That alone made me want to figure out how I could stay home. She shouldn’t have to be used to that. No one should ever get used to their ex-boyfriend lurking around every corner. No one should have to keep their head on a swivel to avoid running into a stalker.
Sloane made her way over to me, slender arms snaking around my waist as her cheek rested against my chest. I dropped my duffel and pulled her closer, inhaling a deep breath of her fruity shampoo.
“Selfishly… I know that you’re used to it.
But I’m not. I’m not used to you being scared and feeling helpless,” I mumbled against her hair, trying not to let myself overthink the moment.
We’d held each other like this countless times over the years.
I took another breath, admitting something I didn’t want to.
“I’m not used to feeling helpless when it comes to you, Sloane.
” A half-truth, admittedly. But the helplessness I felt had nothing to do with her being in danger.
She tipped her head back to look at me. “I know you aren’t. But I’ll be okay. Try not to think about it. Don’t let it mess with your game.”
All too soon, she was stepping out of my grasp.
“It won’t,” I replied, though I wasn’t confident with my answer. It would probably fuck with my game a lot more than I would care to admit.
Her eyes slid over to the clock on the microwave. “You'd better get going. You’re gonna miss the flight.”
I sighed, my fingers spearing through my hair before I bent down to grab my bag from the floor. “Ten days.”
The corner of her mouth lifted in a small smile. “Ten days. See you when you get back.”
I turned and pulled the door open, slipping out into the hallway. The deadbolt latched behind me, but it failed to settle the unease swirling around in my gut.
***
Day One
“The fuck was that, man?” Dom shoved into my hotel room, his still sopping wet hair flinging droplets of water at my face as he passed me.
I sighed. “Sure. Come in, Dominic.”
This was the last fucking thing I needed tonight.
We were coming off a loss—a tough one at that. And to make matters worse, I’d already gotten shit from most of the team. I didn’t need Dom in my room, rubbing it in, too.
I threw a shitty ass game—allowed too many hits, gave away too many bases. My mind was full of worry for Sloane; I didn’t have it in me to focus on my game, too.
Dominic made himself at home, plopping down on the vacant bed by the bay window. He leaned back on his palms before looking over at me. “What the hell, man. You were off.”
“Yeah, I’m aware,” I snapped. “I got shit from coach, I don’t need to hear it from you, too.”
He scoffed. “Sure, you do. I know things that he doesn’t.” A dark, accusatory brow arched in my direction. “Is it her or the ex-boyfriend floating around?”
“You say that like he’s innocently sending her flowers.
The motherfucker is stalking her. And I stupidly asked her to walk my dog four times a day.
I basically—I handed her to him, and I’m not there to make sure nothing happens.
” I raked my fingers through my hair. “I should’ve just taken him to my parents.
I can’t—I can’t think knowing something could happen to her. ”
Dom sighed, understanding exactly where I was coming from. “So, call up your folks. Tell them to take the dog, tell Sloane to stay at my house. Cam won’t mind.”
“I know Cami won’t mind. But Sloane will. She won’t say it, but she thinks I’m overreacting.”
He made a slight noise of agreement. “She might be right.”
“She’s not.”
He stared at me for a moment before shaking his head. “I don’t know, bro. But you can’t throw like that again on Wednesday. Coach will bench you before the first walk.”
“I know. I’ll—I don’t know. I’ll figure it out.”
“She’ll be okay. Sloane’s tough. And she’s not stupid.”
I sat on the edge of my bed, rubbing my eyes with the heels of my palms. “Yeah, I know.”
The bed creaked as he stood, his hand clamping down over my shoulder. “Couple of us are goin’ down to the hotel bar. You comin’?”
I shook my head. “No, I have to get my shit together. Shower, take a breather.”
“Alright.” He pushed past me, walking to my door. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
I laughed. “Not happening.”
An hour later, half the team had disappeared to the bar downstairs, and I was settled into bed, scrolling through another article highlighting every bad move I’d made tonight. I sighed, tossing my phone onto the bed with a groan.
I scrubbed my hands over my face. I hated this.
Every second of being away was screwing with my head in a way that it never had before.
If I knew it wasn’t crossing all sorts of lines, I’d call Sloane and beg for her to fly to Colorado, to work from the hotel room so I could concentrate on the game instead of worrying about her safety.
But I knew she wouldn’t go for that. And I’d already asked for enough from her recently.
My phone vibrated on the bed next to me, Sloane’s face lighting up the screen. I smiled, quickly swiping to answer her video call.
“You’re not wearing a shirt,” she breathed, clearing her throat before averting her gaze back up to my eyes.
“Always the observant one, you are,” I chuckled. “I just got out of the shower. I was planning on turning in soon. What’s up?”
She leaned back against the couch, letting out a sigh.
“He won’t eat. I’ve tried everything.” Rookie’s head popped into view right on cue, his slobbery tongue licking the entirety of Sloane’s phone.
She groaned, gently pushing him out of her face before using a blanket to wipe the slobber from her screen.
“That was disgusting, Rookie. I mean, honestly. Where are your manners?”
I shook my head with a laugh. “It’s pretty normal. He usually won’t eat the first day when I leave him with my parents. You could try sprinkling some shredded cheese on his food. That normally does the trick.”
“Okay,” she sighed, relieved. “So, he’s not dying, and I didn’t do something to cause it?”
“No, Pip,” I laughed. “He’s not dying. He’s just… a dog.”
“Well, a little warning would’ve been nice! Jesus, I’ve been freaking out all day.”
I shook my head. “Apologies. My brain has been a little preoccupied.”
Her smile faltered. “Yeah, I uh—I saw the game. Thought you said you weren’t going to let it get to you?”
“You, too, huh?” I groaned and leaned my head back against the headboard.
“According to the internet, it’s my fault. I’m your good luck charm, apparently.”