My Lucky Catch (University Park #6) (29 page)

I blinked a few times, realizing that Jordan had handed me a mirror. Raising the mirror, I looked at myself. My dark hair cascaded down my back, in a soft wave. The tips were lightened to golden blonde, giving my hair a striking ombre effect. A smile crept across my face. “I love it.” I picked up a layer of my hair, letting it fall slowly. “It looks cool.”

She swiveled the chair around. “Do you like the front? I gave you some shorter layers.”

“I do.” I turned my head from side to side. I hadn’t had a cut or highlight in almost a year. “Thanks for letting me come in on your day off.” I felt bad because we were the only two in her salon.

“No problem.” Jordan took the mirror from my hand. “I’m never really off, and besides, you needed something different. Sexy, cute.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, I can pass on the sexy.”

“Oh, come on. It’s time you move on and start dating again.” She unfastened the cape around me, shaking off the strands of hair. “Start living again. Come out with Forbes and me this weekend. We can go to dinner or a comedy club.”

“I don’t know.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her the real reason I didn’t want to hang out with them. I knew Forbes still talked to Luke because every time I got together with them, they told me the latest news about him. It was easier to stay away from them. I should’ve found someone else to do my hair, but I needed a friend, someone to talk to. I had my therapist and Veronica, but when it came to friends, I didn’t have anyone.

There was always Lexi, and although I had finally answered her call, our friendship didn’t feel the same. I was to blame for that because she was clearly on my side when it came to her mom doing time for the crime. It just felt weird talking to her about the situation. It would take time before I would feel comfortable.

“Oh, come on. It’ll be fun.”

“I don’t think I’m ready for that.” I scooted to the edge of my seat, reaching for my purse on the counter.

“Seriously?” She spun me around to face her. My purse crashed to the floor, the contents spilling on the floor. “Sorry!” she squealed.

I jumped off the chair, and she knelt to the floor, helping me pick up my belongings. “Delaney, you can’t keep punishing yourself.”

“I know, and I’m not. Trust me.” I’d never shared my story with her, other than what had happened to my parents. I had only confided in Luke, Lexi, and my therapist about my grandmother and high school boyfriend. I didn’t want people feeling sorry for me, and it was easier to just keep people out of the loop about my past.

She picked up an envelope, and just as she was about to hand it to me, she stopped. “What’s this?” Her eyes zeroed in on the return address, and I sighed internally. Surprise covered her face, and she looked at me. “Is this from Luke?”

“Yeah.” I tried to take the letter from her, but she refused to let it go.

“Why haven’t you opened it?” With haste, she flipped the envelope to the front and then to the back. “I want to know what it says.” Holding it up to the light, she squinted her eyes.

“Give it to me.” I snatched it out of her fingers.

“Sorry.” An apologetic expression formed on her face. “I just want you to be happy.”

“That’s all I want, too.” I stuffed the letter back in my purse where it had been for almost two months.

“Then do something about it.” She sat on the back of her legs. “I’m so tired of seeing you in pain. You don’t go out any more. You refuse to hang out with me. Are you even working?”

“Yes, I’ve been working a few days a week.” I handed her my ATM card, but she shoved my hand away.

“I don’t want your money.”

“Please, let me pay you.” I kept my hand out, waiting for her to take the card. 

She clasped both hands around mine, squeezing. “You know how you can pay me? Open that letter from Luke. I know he still loves you.”

“I can’t.” I pulled my hands away from hers and tossed the card back in my purse.

“Why?” She pressed.

“You just don’t get it, do you?” Tears started falling, and I slumped to the floor. “I can’t be with him. I just can’t.” I moaned, crying like a baby.

“Oh, Delaney, I’m sorry.” Jordan flung her arms around me. “I didn’t mean to press you so hard. I just hate what this has done to you. You’ve always been a strong, confident woman. I’ve never seen you so broken down. What happened to that person? You used to have guys eating out of the palm of your hand.”

“That girl doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Sure, she does. You just need to reach deep inside of you and find her. She’s there waiting,” she tapped my chest, “I know it.”

“When Luke and I got serious, I changed. The old Delaney is gone. Which is good, because she wasn’t someone I wanted to be anymore. The bad thing is that the new Delaney can only exist with the guy who helped her changed.”

“Then read that letter,” Jordan pleaded.

“I’m scared to.”

“Don’t be. I know you won’t regret it.” Holding me tightly, she caused the waterworks to flow from me again. The harder I cried, the tighter she held me. With each breath, I released more of the pinned up hurt. Pain trickled out of every crevice of my body, freeing me from all the torment I had been prisoner to. She was right, I had to start living my life again. All I had done was figure out a way to move on. But I was moving at a snail pace and bleeding along the way.

“I’m sick and tired of seeing two people so in love with each other and so miserable because they aren’t together.” She pushed my hair away from my face.

“It’s worse when you’re the person.” I sniffed and released a half-laugh.

“I’m sure it is.” Rising to her knees, she stood. “Let me help you.” She extended a hand and helped me stand. “If you don’t want to read that letter, then don’t. But if you do, and you need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.” She handed me a few tissues, and I wiped away my tears.

“I know you are.” I picked up my purse. “Why do you think I came to see you?” I gave her another hug. She led me to the front door and unlocked it.

“I’ll call you later.”

“Promise?”

“Of course.” I waved bye and stepped outside. The sun was bright for a February afternoon, and I tilted my head up, allowing it to warm my face. I took a couple of deep breaths of the brisk air before getting in my car. I set my purse next to me and stared at the letter peeping out through the zipper. The longer I stared at it, the more it called to me. I shook my head and started the car. Immediately, a song blared through the radio, reminding me of Luke.

The tears started falling again, and I rested my head on the steering wheel, feeling all of my strength drain from me. No matter what I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about Luke. It was as if he was begging me to read that letter. Surrendering to the fight, I reached inside of my purse and pulled out the envelope. I held it in my hands for several minutes before turning it over and separating the seal. Carefully, I removed the folded paper and opened it.

My eyes glossed over, and I blinked a few times, trying to clear my vision. The words formed on the page, and I sighed, preparing myself to read it.

                                          
December 5

Dear Delaney,

I know you said to leave you alone and that you never wanted to talk to me again, but I refuse to believe that’s what you really want. What you and I had was real, and I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you. You brought out a side of me I didn’t know existed. A side that can only be shared with you.

No matter how hard I try, I can’t let you go, Delaney. From the day I met you at that frat party, I knew you were someone special. That’s why I made it my mission to find you when you refused to tell me your name. I just didn’t expect you to be my sister’s roommate.

Looking back at how we met and how we first hooked up, I know it wasn’t by accident. Our paths were meant to cross on purpose. Part of that reason being the healing you needed, which could only happen by my parents finding out more about your past. It sucks that it had to be my mom, but like you said, people usually know each other by six degrees of separation.

I know it’s hard for you, but it’s equally as hard for me. Not having you in my life hasn’t been easy. I’m just mad that I didn’t fight harder for you. But I did what you asked, and left you alone, hoping that time would heal your pain and allow you to see that what we had was beautiful. As the weeks pass, I’m afraid you’ll never come back.

But Delaney, I want you back. I need you back in my life. I can’t promise that being around my family will be easy, but I can promise I will be by your side, no matter what. We can’t change the past, but we can change the future.

I’m not asking you to forgive my mom or dad for what happened because I know that is practically impossible. What I am asking is for you to give us another chance. To fight against the odds and allow our love to prevail. One thing hasn’t changed, and that’s my love for you. Know this, Delaney, regardless if we continue to go our separate ways, I will love you until I die. My heart will forever remain in your hands. You’ll always be my lucky catch, forever.

Love Always,

Luke

I held the handwritten note to my chest, allowing another steady stream of tears to fall. I might have cried weekly, but this cry was different.

Deep.

Passionate.

Cleansing.

Invigorating.

And most of all, healing.

I thought I’d be better off on my own, but I was wrong. I was tired of trying to do this on my own. My fears, my doubts, they were still there. Just waiting for me to act on them. The reality was that I couldn’t fight my self-doubt any longer. I loved Luke, no question about it. And I refused to allow this tragedy to steal more of my life that it already had. It had already taken all of the people I ever loved. It wouldn’t take Luke, too. No, I would fight back and do everything I could to be with him. I had no idea how I’d be able to face his mom, but I knew one thing: Luke and I were meant to be together, forever.

Chapter 20

One month later

Luke

Each day sucked and went by slower than I wanted. And no matter what I did, or how hard I tried, I still couldn’t stop thinking about the woman I loved. People asked me how I was doing, and I always told them I was fine. But it was a lie because I still wasn’t over her.

I stared at the photos she took of us and remembered all the good times we had together. The canvases on the wall were a constant reminder of her. Even the junk mail that came in her name brought a tear to my eye. Despite Martin telling me to get rid her furniture and belongings, I couldn’t do it. I thought about moving out of the apartment and getting my own place, but something kept me there. Maybe it was the constant dream I had of her walking through the door. Or maybe it was her scent that filled my airways when I opened the closet door. All of these things gave me hope that maybe one day she’d come back to me.

The situation with my parents was difficult. Even though I couldn’t stand my mom, and she deserved the punishment, it was hard to accept that she was in prison. She had five more months of her sentence, and I did my best to talk to her weekly. I had taken two trips to Houston with my dad, but despite the visits, my heart hadn’t softened. But I had to try my best to forgive her. I felt for my dad, and I think he felt responsible for what happened, as well.

Despite missing Delaney and despite my mom being in prison, I managed to keep my head on straight. I put all of my efforts into what I loved: baseball and training people. Baseball and training were the
only
things keeping me afloat. And I would continue to give it my all.

“C’mon, Silver! You can do it. Push.” I urged PHU’s pitcher to lift the barbell.

“Ugh,” he grunted as his arms straightened.

“That’s it, man.” I helped him return the bar to the rack.

He blew out a heavy breath. “Damn, I gotta lay off the beer.”

I tossed him a bottle of water, and he caught it one handedly. “Yeah, it does make it harder.”

“But you drink, and look at you.” Silver lifted the water and took a drink.

Laughing, I said, “I drink occasionally, and I guarantee I don’t drink as much as you do.”

After Delaney left, I decided to buckle down. I stopped smoking, stayed on my clean eating diet, rarely drank, and worked out daily. That all allowed me to bulk up and get leaner. It was better than the alternative, and I figured I should practice what I preach.

“If you cut back on the booze and stay away from fast food, I guarantee you’ll not only have better workouts, but you will also see and feel a difference on the field.”

Silver sighed, his shoulders folding in. “But it’s so hard.” He sat on the bench and took several deep breaths before taking a few more sips of water. “Trinity likes to eat out, and ice cream is her favorite.”