Earning A Ring. Kristina Mathews

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СКАЧАТЬ before he drove away, satisfied that she was safe, but worried about how this was going to play out. What if she did lose her job because of him? Or worse, transferred to another city? He already had one daughter he never saw because they lived in different states. He wasn’t going to do that again.

      He’d just have to make sure Rachel didn’t lose her job. That she stayed in San Francisco and they’d somehow manage to be a family.

      He drove back over the Bay Bridge, into the city he’d come to call home. The lights were off, but the silhouette of the ballpark was still a striking view. Some of his best memories happened in that ballpark. The rest had been with Rachel.

      Shit. He didn’t want to lose her. That’s why he couldn’t stay out of her bed. It wasn’t about sex. Okay, maybe a lot of it was about sex. Great sex. Uncomplicated sex. Or so he’d thought.

      It had just become real complicated. Not just with the baby. But her career, too. He didn’t think she should lose her job because she had a relationship with him. But he was a ballplayer. She was a reporter. Not supposed to happen, but it did. Hell, it was almost a cliché, but most of the guys he’d known who’d hooked up with a reporter had kept it casual.

      Or they’d married her.

      Chapter 2

      After a restless night, Bryce was awoken by the phone. Scrubbing his gritty eyes, he glanced at the caller ID, hoping it was Rachel. No such luck.

      “Morning, Jillian, what do you need?” With his ex-wife, it was always something. Not that he didn’t send her enough money to run a small country.

      “Hailey needs braces.” Jillian huffed, as if it was somehow his fault.

      “She’s nine. Does she even have all her permanent teeth?” He usually tried to keep his interactions with his ex-wife friendly and upbeat, but he was tired and cranky and sometimes he just couldn’t fake it.

      “If they do it now, she shouldn’t have to go through the humiliation of wearing braces in high school.” She used the same tone of voice she’d used when they were married. It was as if she thought he couldn’t possibly understand the burden placed upon her by parenthood. He was, after all, a dumb jock.

      “So there’s still a chance she’ll need them again when she’s older?” He’d never had to deal with braces or acne as a teenager. It was one of the few advantages of late puberty. He’d been skinny, but athletic, so he’d had to work twice as hard as the other kids on his team. But while most of his Little League teammates had peaked at twelve, he was still in the game.

      “Are you going to pay for it or what?”

      “Of course. Don’t I always?” He’d never deny his daughter anything. If he couldn’t be around, the next best thing was to make sure she had everything she needed.

      “I also need twelve hundred dollars for her summer camp.” Jillian let out a sigh indicating she was insulted to even have to ask.

      “Is this a fencing camp?” Fencing was an Olympic sport, right? Maybe someday his little girl would win a gold medal. After all, being a champion was in her blood.

      “Oh God, she gave that up ages ago.” She made it sound like it was his fault he couldn’t keep up with Hailey’s ever-changing interests. “No. It’s a theater camp.”

      “Theater? Like plays?”

      “Yes. Musicals.”

      He held his breath, waiting for a request for more money to hire a voice coach.

      “Well, I’m sure she’ll have a great time.” He just hoped the camp wasn’t during the same week he’d make his one and only trip to Pittsburgh this summer. His time with his daughter was limited enough without missing out on being able to take her for lunch before he played a night game. He knew better than to ask Jillian to let her actually come to a game. But maybe when she got a little older and could start making her own decisions about spending time with him. That was if Jillian didn’t brainwash her into thinking he was scum.

      Maybe he should get Hailey a cell phone. That way he could talk to her without her mother controlling… Yeah, as if Jillian wouldn’t try to control Hailey’s cell phone usage. If she’d let her have one in the first place. Of course, if he even suggested it, she’d shoot him down faster than she could cash a check.

      “Is Hailey there? Can I say hello?” He hated having to beg for his daughter’s affection. For every moment of time with her.

      “She’s still in school.” He could practically hear Jillian roll her eyes. But when he worked up to seventeen days in a row, he often lost track of what day of the week it was.

      “Well, tell her I said hello and that I miss her.” As if those words could even begin to state how he felt about the little girl who had her mother’s eyes, but his whole heart.

      “Sure.” She sighed, making it sound like a big inconvenience to relay the simple message. “So are you going to send the money?”

      “I’ll send it this afternoon, before I go to work.” He never really cared about how much he sent, as long as it was for Hailey. “Anything else?”

      “No. That’s it for now.” Jillian’s voice was like ice. She hated him. Always had, and always would. He wondered why she’d ever even slept with him. Surely she hadn’t planned on getting pregnant and making his life miserable ever since? At least he’d gotten a daughter out of the deal. Even though he only saw her a few times a year, she was worth it. And someday, he’d be able to prove to her just how much she meant to him.

      Now he had another child to take care of. He’d have to split his resources between two families. Right now, he had plenty to go around. But his recent play only served to remind him that his career would only last so long. And then he’d have to pay for Hailey’s college, her wedding.

      And what about the new baby?

      He didn’t want to be just some guy who sent money, showing up only at Christmas, kind of like Santa Claus, bringing gifts and then leaving again. He wasn’t sure if Hailey even believed in him anymore.

      He had to do things differently this time. He had to work out something between him and Rachel. Something more than a custody arrangement.

      Maybe, just maybe, he could get it right this time.

      * * * *

      Rachel made it to the ballpark without any morning sickness. She took it as a sign that things would turn around. Maybe keeping the news from Bryce had made things worse, and now that he knew, she would get through the rest of her pregnancy with minimal discomfort.

      Rachel’s producer, Steve Montoya, pulled her aside before she headed to the field for a pregame interview with Nathan Cooper. The left-handed reliever had been traded last season, but he’d been invited back to spring training and had made a good impression so far. He’d done well in relief last night, but the damage had been done when Bryce messed up on the double-play ball.

      “We’re in uncharted territory here.” Steve had a serious note in his voice.

      Rachel’s stomach СКАЧАТЬ