Page 79 of A Match Made In Fall

"It's fine," I say before they can start bickering. "His flight leaves later this morning. I'm taking him to the airport."

The words sound far too real when I say them out loud. Until now, Austin being traded has felt almost unreal, like something happening in the background of my life. But in a few hours, he'll be on a plane heading to a new team far away from here.

"You know, the Seals have a great record this season," my dad announces. "He's going to fit in really well there. They could go to the playoffs.”

"I know."

And I do know because I’ve done my own research. The truth is, I'm beyond thrilled for Austin. He's worked for years to get an opportunity like this. Hard work and every sacrifice—it all led to this moment. Any disappointment I feel is completely selfish because I’ll miss him. Unfortunately, understanding that doesn't make it any easier to picture him getting on that plane.

"He wants me to come out and see a game soon," I tell them, as I stir my coffee.

"Oh, that would be fun," my mom says with a smile. "Isn't it interesting how I was right all along when I told Dex about you and Austin?"

Really? She wants to do this now.

"It's almost like I set destiny in motion," she continues proudly.

"You lied to Dex," I remind her. “Austin and I had barely spent any time together at that point.”

She shrugs without any regret. "But you're together now, and that's what matters."

I grab a banana from the fruit bowl and take a sip of my coffee, hoping that will signal the end of this conversation.

"I'm assuming you're going to stay together and commute to see each other once you’re back in LA?" Mom pauses dramatically. "Unless you decide to stay here forever, which is still an option."

I laugh, shaking my head. "Mom, you know I can't stay here forever. I have a life in LA."

The words come out easily. My life and career are waiting for me, just like the Seals are waiting for Austin. Just like there are people depending on me, there’s a team depending on Austin.

Suddenly, it hits me what I need to do and what I really want. It’s all clear.

I finish my coffee and hug my parents. I need to get over to Austin’s. We have a lot to talk about and only a little time.

“Hi, you’re here early,” he says, opening the door.

I don’t waste any time before throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him.

“Okay, I’m very glad you’re here early,” he says between kisses, pulling me closer.

I laugh, my heart racing as I pull back slightly. “My answer is yes.”

He gives me a confused look. “Yes?”

“Yes, I want to try this long-distance thing. I’ll be back in LA after the New Year, and we can figure out how to see each other as much as possible. Whatever it takes, even if it’s a morning flight and an evening flight in the same day—I’m in.”

He stares at me for a second, and then a huge grin spreads across his face. He lifts me off the ground and spins me around in the doorway.

“This is the best news I’ve heard all week.”

I laugh as he sets me back down and leads me to the couch.

“I was looking at the team schedule,” he tells me. “We have a break around New Year’s. I could come here, you could come to California, or we could meet somewhere in the middle and spend the holiday together.”

“I love that idea,” I say, clasping my hands together.

“I was hoping you would,” he says.

“Everything changed when I met you,” I admit quietly. “I was miserable because I wasn’t dancing. I felt so lost and incomplete. Then I went to that game, and you asked me what happened to my foot.”