Rounding the Bases by Jaqueline Snowe

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Sarah

No papers ever showed up for me to sign to keep mum about everything that happened between me and Brigham. It should’ve eased my heartache, knowing that I could go on and post all about it if I wanted to—but I would never do that. Not to another human being. It didn’t matter that he’d broken my heart and shattered it—he still had a lot to deal with.

As I packed my clothes into my suitcase and duffel, it hit me that at one point I would’ve been carrying these across the hall to live with Brigham. Sharing his bed and shower, and seeing him every day. I closed my eyes as the familiar ache grew in my chest. It hadn’t dulled in the past three weeks, but it had lost the ability to render me speechless.

I accepted that I would carry a Brigham-sized dent in my heart where he’d forever imprinted himself there. Even if it was a lie. Cassie and Pico sat on the ground, adorable little heads resting on their paws, and watched me. “You two excited to see your daddy again?”

Tail thumps.

“I bet you are. He’s been gone a long time!” I bent down and scratched both their heads. “I’m going to miss you. Your snoring, Cassie. Your full-body hugs, Pico.” Don’t get emotional. They aren’t your dogs. “Maybe you’ll come visit me at my new place.”

Pico tilted his head to the side, making me laugh. He was so damn expressive. I sighed and double-checked the dryer, the bathroom drawers and the floor for any loose items that could’ve fallen out. Mr. Alexandre was due back within the hour, and after getting the final payment, I would be off.

Saying goodbye to this place, to Fernie and to all the memories I had with Brigham. God, it hurt. I rubbed my chest and focused on the exciting parts of my life. Moving into my place early. The seller had negotiated with me so I could move in earlier than planned. I had zero time to buy furniture besides an air mattress and some folding chairs Megan had lent me. But I would have a place of my own, away from my parents and from Brigham. Despite the heartache and sleepless nights, it was the start of me living my dream job.

All my shit was packed, sitting by the door, and I had two plates of caramel cookies on the counter. One, obviously for Mr. Alexandre, the other a departing gift for Fernie. It was weird to think about missing this place that was so far out of my league, but it had grown on me. I would miss the grumpy man.

Megan: Still want us to meet you outside in twenty minutes?

Sarah: Yup. Just waiting for Alexandre and I’ll be out. I owe you.

Megan: Friends don’t owe each other, Blue.

God, I was lucky to have her and Ethan in my life and in my corner. With one final sigh, I sat on the couch and didn’t have to wait more than ten minutes before Alexandre walked in and dropped to the floor. “My babies!”

Pico and Cassie sprinted to him, sliding on the tiled floor with little clicks of their nails, and he hugged them both to his chest. “I’ve missed you. Wow. Come here. Oh, you’re so cute!”

Seeing a very posh, professional-looking man lose his shit over dogs might be my new favorite thing. I laughed, causing him to look up at me with a slight blush of his cheeks. “They missed you.”

“Oh, I missed them. Thank you, Sarah. Thank you for taking care of them.” He picked them both up and gave me the goofiest smile I had ever seen on him. Even during the Facetimes, he’d remained put together. Not now. “And with Pico’s visit to the ER… thank you for that.”

“It was nothing. They really grew on me.” I walked up and petted their little heads. “With your payments, I’m able to start my own business now. If you ever leave or need a long-term watch, let me know. I’d love to see these guys again.”

“I definitely will.” He set the dogs down and shook my hand. “Any way I can help, with a review or word of mouth, let me know. Please.”

I bit back a smile. “I will.”

“Here is the second half of the amount we agreed on.” He unfolded a check from his pocket and handed it to me. “I added a ten percent tip.”

“Shit.” I hissed at the added amount and already knew what I was going to spend it on. Ads. “This helps.”

“I’m glad.” He indicated the bags with his chin. “Do you need help with your stuff?”

“Nope. My friends are here.” I shouldered the duffel and grabbed the handle of the shitty suitcase. “Enjoy your time with your pups. I left you a plate of cookies.”

“Oh, who is that one for?”

“Fernie.”

“The old bastard. He’s sneaky, isn’t he?”

The warmth on his face made me feel happy that not everyone in the building teased him. “He is. Well, this is it.”

“Yup.”

I waved awkwardly and left the apartment that felt more like home to me than my room at my parents’ or the small one-bedroom that smelled bad all the time. With one quick glance at Brigham’s door, I made my way to the elevator without shedding a single tear.

“Ah, it is time to finally get rid of you.” Fernie pressed his lips flat together, but his eyes gave him away. He looked sad. “Those cookies are for me, yes?”

“I spat in them.”

“Good. More protein.”

“I’m gonna miss you, Fern.”

“Ah, gross.” He shook his head, but a hint of amusement crossed his face. “I will absolutely not tell my daughter about your business. I’ll tell her you are the worst.”

“Good. I need honest reviews.”

He huffed and reached out to pat my shoulder. “Stay out of trouble, you wild child.”

“You too, Fernie.” I smiled, and before I second-guessed it, I hugged him tight and let go before he screamed. “Keep being grumpy.”

He coughed and held his head higher, but we both knew he’d miss me. Megan honked, and a deep feeling of homesickness took root. This building would hold a special place in my heart forever.

I walked out, wincing at the heat, and searched for Megan’s car, but I couldn’t find it. Instead, it was my mom leaning on the passenger-side door. Cold seeped into my bones. “Why are you here?”

“To apologize.”

“Forgive me for not believing you.” I squinted to try and see Megan, but my mom clicked her tongue.

“Megan isn’t here. It’s me.”

“I’d rather spend today with someone who brings me joy.” I stiffened when she reached out and put a hand on my forearm. “What is happening?”

“I hate not talking to you or getting to hear about your…dreams. Your dad gets updates from you and I don’t. It hurts.”

“Well, tough shit. You’re cruel and judgmental and you make me feel bad about myself.” Might as well go down sinking if we’re hashing this out. “Today is hard, okay? I wanted someone I like to help me.”

She flinched, like I’d meant her to, and she paled. “Is it because of him?”

“It’s a lot of things. Just… I’ll get in the car. You are taking me to my new place, right? This isn’t a plot for you to drag me back home?”

“No. It’s not.” She helped me put my bags in the trunk and I got into the passenger-side door just as Brigham turned the corner, wearing just athletic shorts and headphones, and my mouth dried up quicker than raindrops on the cement. His gaze found mine through my mom’s windshield, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t a half-smile. I shook my head. “Let’s go.”

My mom took off and I ducked my head out of view so I wouldn’t have to see him all hot and sweaty and gorgeous. My mom slid me a questioning gaze. “You know the charges were dropped. All of them.”

“I read.”

“He even made a video explaining what happened. He mentions you in it, I think.”

“I saw.”

Yes, I was thrilled for him that he wouldn’t go to jail. Thrilled. And the video of him explaining how he refused to let the fear of losing it all prevent him from fighting back. He would go to trial, but he’d name-dropped witnesses who were there and had seen everything. The biggest thing was the video tape from the owner of the place, who had footage of the event that showed a different story. It was daring and bold and it’d worked. No more charges. Brigham could play his heart out and make all the money.

“He said the biggest reason he started to fight was because he fell in love.”

“I prefer not to talk about this, Mom.” I hugged my purse tighter against my stomach. “Things were said and done that I’m not able to get over.” Like he used me and only tried calling me twice. Twice. Two times. If he loves me…no. “I think the video and the love thing is to make him seem more likeable. The former-playboy angle.”

“I’m not so sure. Look, I need to apologize for a lot of things. A lot. But I am so very sorry for bad-mouthing your decision to start your own business and for butting my opinions into your love life. You’re a grown woman.”

“Thanks?” I said, unsure where this was going.

“Today is just a start. I want to know this version of my daughter. The one where she is a business owner and dates athletes.”

“Okay, it was one athlete. Won’t happen again, that’s for damn sure.” I unzipped the front of my purse to get the keys to the place. Hope blossomed in my chest as we got closer to the destination, and despite the turmoil and leftover hurt from Brigham, this was my next Chapter. “I want to know you too, Mom. I want to text you pictures and laugh and have mimosas on weekends, but it takes two people to do that.”

“I know.” She swallowed and took a deep breath. “I’ll be better.”

“I’d like that.”

We finished the drive to the house in a comfortable silence, and another weight lifted off my shoulders. The feud with my mom had eaten at me for a lot of reasons, but mainly, I hated not including my parents in my life. They judged me often, but I liked getting meals and seeing them. It had been too long, and maybe we’d all change from the distance. “Thank you,” I said as she pulled into the driveway. “For doing this.”

“I’m glad Megan told me about it.”

“I’ll deal with her later.”

“She’s a good girl,” my mom said, pulling me into a stiff hug. “Can I come in?”

“Today, no. I need this. For me. I want to sleep in my own place to prove to myself I can. But soon, I want you and Dad over. I promise.”

“Okay. Good.” She cupped my face. “Blue Bells Boarding, huh?”

Brigham’s idea had stuck with me and I hid my flinch. “Yup.”

“It’s a wonderful name.”

I nodded and took my time getting out of the car. She waited until I got inside before driving away, and the magnitude of it hit me. I had my place. It was mine. I sank onto the floor, resting my head on the duffel bag, and stared at the ceiling fan. My dream was literally coming true, and I hated so much that the first person I wanted to share it with was Brigham.

I closed my eyes and let myself wallow for thirty seconds—okay, five minutes—before getting up and walking the place. I did a full perimeter scan before a light thud carried over from outside. Someone locked their car with a little beep before there was a knock.

Who could it be? Neighbors welcoming me?I smiled, trod through the hallway, flung open the door and gasped. “Brigham.”