“Not really,” Bet said, breaking off a piece of a warm biscuit. She popped it into her mouth with a satisfied smile. “You’re the love of his life. I’ve always believed you two would find your way back to each other somehow.”
“Really?” Dani asked, wishing she felt as certain about her relationship with Ace as his mother seemed to. “Even after everything that happened?”
“We watched Maceon move through a lot of relationships over the years,” Bet said, reaching for a floral paper napkin. “Though he refused to introduce us to most of the girls. I knew that was because he wasn’t serious about any of them.”
“Except for Stacey.” Though Tenley’s friend seemed like a sweetheart, it still stung knowing she’d shared a part of Ace’s life that Dani never had. “That must have been serious, or he wouldn’t have moved in with her.”
“I think they were just two people who were tired of being alone, to be honest,” Charles said. “Stacey was a lovely girl, but it was obvious, to us at least, that she and Maceon were better off as friends than trying to make it work as life partners.”
Dani didn’t know what to say, so she sat back with her plate in hand, waiting for them to explain.
“She came into his life when he needed someone,” Bet explained. “I think the same was true for her. She was coming off a difficult breakup, and Maceon was a distraction.”
“So you don’t think he still has feelings for her?” Dani hated herself for even asking that after Ace had assured her he was completely over Stacey.
“Goodness, no,” Bet said, laughing. “That ship has definitely sailed.”
“We understand you were engaged recently,” Charles said, wiping biscuit crumbs off his fingers. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out.”
She didn’t ask how they knew. Either Ace had told them or they’d read the announcement in the paper. Either way, it was a subject she’d rather not discuss but knew she had to. “We weren’t right for each other. I think I knew that from the beginning, but I let my parents convince me we would somehow grow together.” It sounded ridiculous now, but her parents had made it seem so logical, as though every couple had to work on being compatible.
“I guess it’s true what they say,” Bet said. “Everything happens for a reason. Maybe your relationship with your fiancé and Maceon’s relationship with Stacey didn’t work out because you two were meant to be together.” Her eyes sparkled as she waited expectantly for confirmation.
“Honey,” Charles said, patting his wife’s leg, “don’t you think you’re getting ahead of yourself? We don’t know where things stand between Dani and Maceon.”
Bet laughed self-consciously, touching her cheek. “I know, I’m sorry. You probably think I’m being silly, but Dani, I always hoped you’d be our daughter-in-law one day. When I heard you two were dating again, well, I guess I just let my imagination run wild.”
Dani was touched that after everything that had happened, they still thought so highly of her, but she didn’t want them to get their hopes up. Things between her and Ace still felt so uncertain, even after last night.
“Ace isn’t the boy I used to know,” she said, hoping she could make them understand. “He’s changed. So have I. We’re both a little more cynical now, and it’s sometimes hard to believe a happy ending would even be possible for us, especially given the demands on him.”
“One thing you need to know about him,” Charles said, raising his index finger. “Family comes first. It always has. He loves baseball, but he loves his family more.”
“I know, but—”
“Let me finish,” Charles said, giving her a kind smile. “If my son makes a commitment to you, that will be his top priority, I can promise you that. That’s just the kind of man he is.”
She didn’t want Ace to be with her out of some sense of obligation though. She wanted him to be with her because he couldn’t imagine his life without her.
“And Dani,” Bet said, leaning forward, “if you two were to have children together, he would be wonderful to them. I just know it. I’ve seen him at some of those camps he helps with during the off-season, and those kids just adore him.”
Dani would like to witness that for herself someday. “Why didn’t you tell him about the pregnancy? I mean, after I miscarried?”
“We considered it,” Charles admitted. “But it seemed cruel to lay that on him when he was locked up. As it was, he was doing everything he could to just get through the day. I guess we were afraid getting news like that would send him into a deeper depression.”
“A deeper depression?” Dani asked, almost afraid to hear the details about Ace’s incarceration.
“He was inconsolable for the first year,” Bet confirmed, with a slight shake of her head. “We thought we’d never get him back. But he worked with an incredible counselor in that facility who slowly helped him piece his life back together and make sense of what happened.”
“I didn’t know,” Dani said. There was so much she didn’t know about their time apart.
“He doesn’t like to talk about that time,” Charles said. “Just know that it did change him. He went in a boy who’d made a colossal mistake. But he came out a man who’d not only done his time, but who’d done the work to make the most of his life. He wanted nothing more than to contribute something to the world, in honor of your brother.”
“I know,” Dani said, thinking about the conversation they’d had the first night they reconnected. “He told me about the scholarship.”
“But it’s so much more than that,” Bet said. “It’s the way he lives now. He’s more conscious of every choice he makes and how it will affect those around him. He’s not reckless or wild anymore. He doesn’t take stupid risks.”
“Good to know,” Dani said with a smile. Ace could still get a little wild, but his parents didn’t need to know that. That could be their little secret.
“We’re not saying he’s perfect,” Charles said. “Far from it. Truth is, he still makes mistakes. Take that new contract, for example. His agent told him to wait ‘til the end of the year to sign. But what does he do? He disregards the man’s advice even though that’s what he pays him for.” He shook his head. “Sometimes I swear I’ll never understand that boy.”
“Wait,” Dani said, leaning forward. “Are you saying he signed a new contract? He’s staying here?” After their talk last night, she believed Ace had no intention of leaving her behind, but she hadn’t expected him to take immediate action.
“You haven’t heard?” Bet asked, looking amused. “Why, it’s been all over the TV and radio all morning. Probably all over the Internet too.”
Dani had been too busy to even check her social media feed on her phone before she sneaked away from work to pay Ace’s parents a quick visit. “No, I was in meetings all morning. I can’t believe he didn’t say anything to me before he left this morning.” She blushed when she realized she’d just admitted to his parents that they’d spent the night together.
His father chuckled, making her blush even deeper. “It’s okay, Dani. You’re not teenagers anymore. What you and my son do is your business, no one else’s.”
“I appreciate that,” she said, standing. “And thank you for everything: the tea, biscuits, talk. It was wonderful, but I really have to get back to work now.”
They followed her to the door before embracing her.
“I’m so glad we had a chance to visit,” Bet whispered in Dani’s ear as they hugged. “Don’t be a stranger. Promise?”
“I promise.” Dani reached for the door handle before turning back to face them. “Um, there is one more thing. I plan to tell Ace about the miscarriage, but I’m not sure when. You know he’s back on the road for—”
“Honey,” Bet said, gripping her shoulders. “We haven’t told him, and we don’t intend to. That’s your decision to make, not ours. And don’t worry about when. You’ll know when the time’s right.”
Chapter Seventeen
Dani was
lying on her couch later that night, curled up in a throw, talking to Ace on the phone. It was crazy, but she missed him already and he’d only been gone ten hours. “How do you feel now that you know you’re going to be staying here for at least three more years?”
“Relieved.”
She smiled at his response. At first she’d feared he’d signed the contract to assuage her fears about them being apart, but he’d assured her it was what he wanted. “Good. So am I. How did your teammates react when you told them?”
“A lot of them had already heard by the time we boarded the plane. I told those who hadn’t. They’re all stoked. We’ve got a hell of a team right now, and no one wants to lose the spark. Sometimes when you mess with a line-up, it throws everything off.”
Dani knew how much a World Series ring would mean to Ace, and she wanted that for him more than anything. “This is a big series for you, huh? If you manage to sweep them, you’ll have a solid lead on the second-place team in your division.”
“It’s too early in the season to get too excited about standings, but yeah, it’s always nice to be on top.”
“Always?” she teased. “You weren’t saying that last night.”
He growled. “Don’t talk to me about last night when I’m a thousand miles away. That’s not fair.”
“I can’t wait ‘til you get home. I miss you.”
“I miss you too, baby.” There was a brief silence before he said, “Speaking of home, your place or mine when I get back?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll only be back home for four days. I want to spend as much time with you as I can. I was hoping we could do a sleepover, if you’re game?”
“A sleepover, huh?” She knew she was grinning from ear to ear, but she couldn’t help herself. “You might be able to talk me into that.”
Someone knocked on her door.
Dani sat up straight, pulling the blanket higher. “Someone’s at my door,” she whispered.
His voice was gruff when he said, “It’s after eleven. Who the hell is it?”
“I don’t know.” She got up off the couch, the cordless phone pressed to her ear as she looked through the peephole. “Damn,” she said, stepping back. “It’s Mike.”
“Tell him to go to hell.”
She sighed. “I should probably see what he wants. Maybe he left something behind here or—”
“You’re not seriously thinking about answering the door, are you? After the shit he pulled the last time you saw him? He’s lucky you’re not firing shots through that door.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I don’t own a gun. And even if I did, I wouldn’t use it to take out my ex.”
“I didn’t say you had to take him out. Just scare him a little. We both know he deserves it.”
She couldn’t argue Mike needed someone to set him straight, but the harsh truth should be more than effective. “I’ll call you back, okay?”
“Jesus, Dani, don’t answer that door. What if he’s drunk and tries to force himself on you or something?”
Mike had never been much of a drinker, with the exception of that bachelor party that marked the end of their relationship. Still, Dani peeked through the peephole once more as he knocked again. “He looks sober to me. Now let me deal with this, and I’ll call you right back. Unless you want to get some sleep? I know you have a game tomorrow.”
“Are you crazy? You think I’ll be able to sleep as long as he’s in your apartment?”
“Fine, I’ll call you back.” Knowing how upset he was, she added, “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll be fine. Love you.”
“Love you too. Just remember, I’ll be sitting by this goddamn phone waiting for you to call me back. If I don’t hear from you in twenty, I’m calling back and it better not go to voice mail.”
“Got it.”
As soon as she disconnected the call, Mike knocked again. “Come on, Danielle. Open up. I know you’re in there. I can hear your voice. Please, we need to talk.”
She took a deep breath, steeling herself before she opened the door. “What do you want?” she asked, glaring at him.
“I just need a minute.” He looked over her shoulder, presumably to make sure she was alone. “Can I come in?”
She should slam the door in his face, but she hadn’t had the chance to say her piece to him since she and Ace had solidified their relationship. “I only have a minute. I was talking to Ace when you knocked. I promised I’d call him right back.”
“Yeah, I uh, knew he was away tonight,” he said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans. “I thought it might give us a chance to talk. In private.”
Dani walked to the sofa and wrapped herself in the blanket she’d left behind. She was wearing black leggings and a fitted white hoodie without a bra. While he’d seen her naked plenty of times, she didn’t feel comfortable being exposed to him now.
“Fine, say your piece. Then I’ll say mine,” she said, nodding at the chair across from her.
They’d selected the furniture together, and seeing him sitting in that chair brought back a rush of memories. While he may not have been her soul mate, she had loved him. And resenting him made her feel like her parents—stuck in the past and weighed down by hate and anger.
“I heard Ace talked about the accident yesterday.”
“Yeah, he did.” She narrowed her eyes, letting him know she wasn’t pleased that he’d backed them into a corner. “He didn’t have much choice, did he? A guy like Ace isn’t going to let someone intimidate him with threats and blackmail.”
“I know.” He sighed, tipping his head back as he closed his eyes. “It was stupid to come at you the way I did. I was just so hurt and confused. I couldn’t believe it was so easy for you to move on like that. Like we didn’t even matter.”
“I wasn’t the one who decided to move on,” she said, clenching the blanket. “You cheated on me.”
“I know.” He covered his face with both hands. “God, that was the stupidest thing I could have done. One goddamn night with some random stranger and my life’s gone to hell.”
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?” she asked. “Am I supposed to tell you that it’s okay, that we all make mistakes? Because it’s not okay. You made a commitment to me. I was wearing your ring. We were planning a life together.”
“Were we?” He stared at her, unblinking. “Were we really planning a life together, or were you just with me to get your parents off your back about settling down?”
Ouch. “Honestly? I don’t know. What I do know is that I loved you, and it hurt like hell when I found out you’d slept with someone else.”
“At least I didn’t fall in love with someone else.” When Dani’s jaw dropped, he said, “It’s obvious he feels the same way or he wouldn’t have been in such a big hurry to sign that contract all of a sudden.”
“Ace loves it here,” Dani said, annoyed with herself for defending his decision. “This is his home. His parents are here, and his teammates are like his family. Beside, they’re real contenders. Why would he want to go anywhere else?”
“Especially since you’re here, right?”
Dani shook her head. “What do you want me to say? That I’m sorry he’s back in my life and he’s here to stay? I’m not.” When he winced, she softened her voice. “I’m not trying to get back at you or hurt you. As mad as I was with you, first for cheating on me and then for trying to blackmail me, I’m not interested in carrying all that anger around with me forever.”
“Are you saying you forgive me?” he asked, wide-eyed.
“What choice do I have? I’ve seen what holding onto bitterness can do. I don’t want to be that person.”
“Speaking of bitterness, how did your parents take the news that you and the baseball player were back together.”
“Not well.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
He gave her a half-smile as he shook h
is head. “You’re right, I’m not.”
She pursed her lips to keep from smiling. “You’re a jerk, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told.” His eyes scanned her face as his smile receded. “I really am sorry, you know. I hate what I did to us.”
“Maybe we just weren’t meant to be.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “If we were, you wouldn’t have cheated on me, and I would have been more anxious to set a wedding date, right?”
“I guess so.” He leaned forward, wiping his palms on the legs of his jeans. “Anyway, since we’re neighbors and all, I thought we should clear the air. We’ll no doubt run into each other from time to time, and I don’t want things to be weird between us.”
She stood when he did and walked him to the door. “I’m actually glad you stopped by. You were right. We needed to talk.”
He opened his arms to her. “Friends?”
She quirked an eyebrow incredulously. “Don’t push your luck. I didn’t punch you in the face for being an ass last time you stopped by. Consider yourself lucky.”
He threw his head back laughing. “I really am going to miss you, Danielle. You know that, right?”
She thought of the years they’d spent together. The good and bad times. He was a part of her past, and while she couldn’t claim she’d remember their relationship fondly after the way it ended, she wasn’t sorry to have loved him.
“Just be good to the next girl,” she warned, poking his chest. “Don’t lie to her. Don’t cheat on her. And when you’re invited to a bachelor party, just say no.”
He smiled. “Can I give you a piece of advice now?”
“No.”
“I’m going to anyways. Don’t hold back with him the way you did with me.”
“What?”
“You deserve to be happy. I’m not sure you ever really believed that. I didn’t know if it was because of the way your parents were or losing your brother, but I always got the sense you were afraid to be happy. Why was that?”
Hit and Run (Summer Rush #2) Page 16