Page 87 of The Curveball
There’s a fumbling noise, and then a different voice talks. “Hey Brady, it’s Fiona. Yeah, so your daughter decided to come early. How quickly can you get home?”
“I’m in Idaho,” I say dumbly.
“I know that, how quickly can you get home?” Fiona repeats, sounding way calmer than I feel.
“I’m not sure. I’ll…I’ll figure it out. Is she okay? Is Sage okay?”
“She’s doing great so far, but she wants you here.”
“Tell her I love her.”
“I will. And I’ll text you updates from my phone. Let me know how you’re gonna get home.”
I hang up and turn to face my teammates. We’ve just wrapped up a pregame meeting in a small conference room at the hotel where we’re staying. Rafe justinformed us he heard some scouts from a couple major league teams are watching this series of games, although no one knows who they’re here for. My money’s on Cal or maybe Foxxy.
“Sage is in labour. I gotta go.”
There’s a flurry of voices and activity, but I tune it all out. My mind is too busy trying to think about how quickly I can get to the airport, and how I can bribe an airline to get me on the soonest flight out of here.
A hand on my arm stops me at the doorway, and I look over to see Luca thumbing something out on his phone. “Hold on, Dix. I’m getting you a seat on a private flight that leaves in…two hours.” He pockets his phone and meets my stunned gaze. “We’ll get you home quickly. I’ll have a car here to take you to the airport in ten. Okay?”
I nod, unable to speak.
He slaps my shoulder. “Good. Go pack up.”
It doesn’t fully hit me, the extent to which Luca went to get me home, until the small private jet is landing on a minor airstrip just outside of Cedar Creek just over three hours after I got the call from Sage.
I text Fiona as soon as I’m able.
BRADY: I just landed. Be at the hospital in 30 minutes.
FIONA: Holy crap did you figure out how to teleport? We figured it would take longer.
BRADY: Nah. Just a generous former team owner with deep pockets.
FIONA: Well he just made Sage cry. Again. At least it’s happy tears this time.
BRADY: What’s wrong? Why is she crying?
FIONA: She’s fine. We’ll explain when you get here.
“Fuck,” I curse as I jog to the spot where they said I could get my luggage. Immigration was dealt with in Idaho, so as soon as I have my bags, I can hit the road.
It’s still not soon enough, and by the time I pull up at the hospital, I’m ready to explode out of my skin. I need to see Sage. To touch her and reassure myself she’s alright. And to apologize and beg for forgiveness for not being here earlier.
Fiona’s waiting for me outside of what I assume is Sage’s room, and I have to fight not to snap at her when she stops me from going in.
“Brady, Sage is fine, but she’s stressed. Things stalled about an hour ago and she’s feeling really guilty for calling you. Plus, Enid said to remind you that Sage’s emotions are going to be wild as she goes through labour. So take a minute, breathe, and be ready to set all of your shit aside before you walk in there.”
I impulsively pull her in for a hug. “Thank you for being here for her.”
Fiona pats my back. “No problem. I’m the best friend, it’s kind of my job.” She pulls back and folds her arms across her chest. “But you’re the dad, so now the job is yours. Don’t fuck it up.”
I flash a grin ather. “I won’t.”
She gives me a brusque nod and gestures to the door. “Get in there, she needs you.”
I push open the door slowly, hearing only Enid’s quiet voice and two sets of shuffling feet. Stepping around the curtain that offers some privacy when the door is open, I see Sage walking around the room in small circles, Enid right beside her.
