Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
I had had enough of her shit. Cam had to choose us. Raising two boys of my own is overwhelming enough when married to a baseball player who’s never home and travels the country most of the year.
Cam no longer bats for his team. He stopped batting two years ago. However, the team wanted to keep him on because of Cal, so Cam took the batting coach job they offered him.
However, he was released after Cal’s injury. Not to our surprise. I saw it coming before Cal fucked up his shoulder.
“They are taking advantage because their father is away,” my mother laughs.
“Who are you telling? He needs to come home before I hurt one of them,” I grumble as I shake my head.
My phone rings as my mother continues to laugh at me and the boys ignore me. I need a break from everything, so I pick it up happily. A smile comes to my face when I see it’s Sim.
She’s been here in New York for a few years now. She sounds happier these days. I’ve met her husband once.
He’s handsome and interesting as well. The man is observant and gives off a dangerous vibe. Some of the things Symphony said about them and their relationship makes more sense to me after meeting him.
“Hello,” I sing into the phone.
“Hey, Maribel. How are you doing?”
“Hey, Sim. I’m well. How are you?”
“I am well. I would like to share some news with you. You were on the top of my list to tell after my husband and family.”
“Sounds important.”
“Yes, it is. I have had the honor of being there for you and your twins and my brother’s as well. Now I am expecting a child of my own,” she says.
“Aw, I’m so happy for you. This is awesome, how do you feel?”
“I am very nervous and excited. Val has been helping me and allowing me to babysit. I am thirty-seven so I worry about the baby’s health.”
I smile as she rambles on the other end. I’ve heard so much about this Val woman. She seems to be important to Sim.
“My husband says I shouldn’t be worried. We will love our child either way. Oh, wait. Those are not the things I want to talk to you about.
“I’ve called for your friendship and to make an appointment to spend time with you. Will the baseball player allow you to have lunch with me?”
I laugh to myself. I love Symphony. Hearing her think out loud is always amusing.
“Cam isn’t here,” I say sadly. “He’s in the Dominican Republic. He’s been working there for the last few months as a batting coach and trainer.”
“This has you sad?”
“Yeah, this is the second pregnancy I’ve been through without him. It was a great opportunity. I couldn’t allow him to not take it.
“Cam loves to work in the industry. I don’t want to take that from him, but I miss him. Especially after the two years we were separated.”
“I still don’t like your mother-in-law. She made me feel very uncomfortable. You should have allowed me to make her disappear.”
“Symphony.” I bark out a laugh.
“Don’t worry. Neither Uri nor Val would approve it. They don’t believe she has done enough to earn it.”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.”
“Good. I probably shouldn’t have. Would it make you happy if Cam worked for a sports company here in New York?”
“That would be a dream come true, but that ain’t happening. Cam comes with a price tag. None of the New York teams are interested or they were trying to low ball him.”
“Nothing is impossible to my friends. He will be home for this baby. I have to go, Maribel. I will text about our lunch date. It was good to speak to you.”
“Congratulations, hon. I look forward to our lunch. Later.”
“Later. Be well.”
Val
I smile and roll my eyes as Sim sits across from me, popping her band on her wrist. She wants to ask me for something, but she’s going to sit like this until I ask her what she wants. I’ve grown used to her and her quirks.
Sometimes I forget that she’s two years older than me. She’s brilliant and has more knowledge than an encyclopedia but there are times when it’s clearer than others that she struggles with social settings. The woman is a born killer, so I dare anyone to tell her to her face she’s not normal.
“Spit it out, Sim. What is it you need?” I say as I look up from the reports I’ve been reading.
My business has grown exponentially since I started the bag and shoe company, and the Alliance has settled into place. So much has changed around us and continues to change.
“I have a request. It is important to me. I would ask Uri, but I find when you ask for things, he never says no.”