Page 29 of The Way Love Heals

“Thank you. It’s just something I hold close to me because whenever I do sing, everyone always tells me how I should’ve pursued it as a career instead of being an esthetician. Singing is a hobby, but what I do, it’s a passion. Only people who have passions understand.”

“I’m one of those people. Some people don’t get why I’ve never let baseball go, but it’s a love and passion of mine. I may not play professionally or play at all, but the joy I get from seeing the boys play equates to how I felt when I did. It’s easy for me to relate to them.”

“And that’s exactly what they need. They need someone who not only knows the game but loves it as well.”

“Exactly.” I agreed. “I just hope I’m providing them with all they need. Baseball is just as mental as it is physical. I’m thinking about bringing in a mental coach for my facility, one the boys can use as well. It’s so easy to get in your head about things.”

“Oh, I love that. I’ve seen AJ get in his head many times, and sometimes, it takes a little extra push to get him out of it. Developing their minds for the game at such a young age will benefit them.”

“You’re right, but I don’t want the development to only be for baseball. I want it to be for all aspects in life. I truly believe you can learn a lesson from anything and apply it to everything.”

Brittish nodded. “You’re right about that.”

I opened the door of my truck, placed her on the seat, and rested my back against her legs. When her hands went to my head, I released a throaty groan. “Your hands possess some true magic. You chose the right path.”

She snickered. “I know they do. My mom used to get me to wash her hair all the time, and her reaction was the same as yours.”

“I don’t think you understand what you do to people. Anytime you touch me, I feel comfort. I could go to sleep within five minutes, for real.” Brittish removed her hands from my head, and I craned my neck back to glare up at her. “What you stop for?”

“I don’t need you going to sleep on me, especially not here.”

I puckered my lips up, and she leaned down to kiss me. “I wouldn’t do that. I do have a question, though.”

“Yes?”

I lifted my body, turned to face her, and wrapped my arms around her waist. “The song you were singing . . . Were you trying to tell me something?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Why? Did it work on you?”

“Hell yeah, it did. You had me up there mesmerized, feeling like I was in one of those movies where that was the moment we fell in love.”

Brittish tilted her head to the side. “Was it?”

My tongue wet my lips. I tightened my jaw as I dug deep, trying to gauge where my feelings sat with her. Was I in love? Not yet, but I’d fallen hard as hell for Brittish. I didn’t see any other woman but her. She was like a merry-go-round in my mind, constantly going in circles with thoughts of her. Any free time I had, I wanted to spend it with her. Whether I was on my lunch break talking to her on the phone or done for the day, I needed to have her in my presence in some capacity.

So, I wasn’t in love, but I damn sure was in deep like.

“It was a moment where I realized I don’t want to experience life without you any time soon. A moment where I realized I want to experience falling in love with you. Everything I feel with you is new to me, Brittish, and I’m loving it.”

“You’ve never been in love before, Nyle?”

“I’ve never allowed myself to get too close to any woman outside of sex. I’ve had a few women who I messed with heavily, but when it came to committing, I couldn’t do it. Mainly because I didn’t feel they would understand me and what I went through. With you, it’s been effortless. That’s how I know it’s you.”

Brittish’s eyes watered. She leaned back and fanned her face. “You have me speechless.”

“That’s a good thing.” I chuckled. “You don’t have to say anything. Just keep going along this ride with me.”

“I don’t plan on getting off any time soon.”

“Good, because I would’ve found a way to get you back on.”

Brittish giggled and kissed my forehead. We had another moment where we simply got lost in one another’s presence, basking in what was becoming our reality. Brittish had a hold on me, and I only wanted it to become tighter. Not to the point I couldn’t breathe and felt suffocated, but to the point I’d feel lost if she wasn’t there.

Yeah, she had me bad.

My leg wouldn’t stop bouncing as I rode with Nyle to the restaurant. We had another game today, and his family showed up to support him and the boys. Nyle didn’t hesitate to introduce me and AJ to everyone. It had AJ looking me upside my head, but I quickly got him together. I understood he was protective of me. That was one thing I loved about my baby, but he had to realize just like his daddy deserved the love Zaina provided for him, his mama deserved the same.

Brielle invited me to dinner with them during the game. They wanted to celebrate Nyle’s first year of coaching and the consecutive wins the team had received. I was a bit hesitant, but Zaina encouraged me to go. She assured me that Nyle’s family were good people. From the vibes I got, I believed her.