Chapter 2 – Heartbreaker

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

"Mommy?"

"Hm?" I picked up a thing of peanut butter and Logan swung her legs in the cart. "What are we having for dinner?"

"I don't know sweetie,"

"Will Daddy be home for dinner?"

"Yes, he is just out working with Uncle Josh and Uncle Zach."

"Uncle Josh was at breakfast this morning."

"Yes he was." Logan sighed, "Will he be there for my birthday?" I smiled, "I don't know baby girl,"

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Can we watch a movie?"

"No. You have pre-school tomorrow." She pouted, "No, you and daddy are at home." I ran my fingers through her hair gently, "I know sweet girl," my phone buzzed in my purse and I reached over to grab it. Troy was calling me and I gave it to Logan, "It is daddy,"

She giggled and answered the phone, "Hi daddy,"

I heard a bit and pieces of Troy's response as Logan giggled and began to talk a mile a minute about her day at preschool, Troy interrupted her and Logan sighed, "He wants to talk to you."

"Thank you Logi," I stopped in front of the crackers while I answered the phone, "Yes, this is Logan's secretary." Troy couldn't contain his laugh, "Mmm…one of the many reasons I married you. The humor." I smiled shaking my head, "What can I help you with?"

"Do you care if we skip dinner with your parents tonight?"

"What why?"

"Lance and Gary need help at Swings,"

"With what Troy? You spent all of yesterday there."

"One of the coaches is sick."

"Logan would like to see her dad today because he was still asleep when she left for pre-school."

"I'll take her with me. All of the guys love her."

"She has pre-school tomorrow."

"Gabi,"

"Troy,"

"Do you want me to go to this dinner that we have every single week?"

"You didn't go last week and,"

"Fine I'll go."

"No, I don't want you to be unhappy all night. Logan and I will go see my dad and you can crawl into bed with us."

"Jesus, Gabi, stop getting all pissy."

"I have to go."

"Gabi, if you want me to go I will go. If you don't care then I am going to Swings. I will take Logan if you want me too."

"No, sorry. I want to see my daughter."

"Stop being this way."

"Fine, I will just hang up now."

Logan was playing with a toy when I stuffed my phone back into my bag. "Daddy?" she asked me, I looked at her, "Do you want to go to Swings tonight with Daddy?" she grinned and nodded her head, "Yes please!"

"Or do you want to see Papi?" Logan frowned, "Can Papi go to Swings?" she questioned, I laughed and I shook my head, "No, but maybe we can compromise. Go have dinner with me and then we can go to Swings to see daddy and the team."

"Okay!" I smiled, as Logan loved going to Swings and messing with the boys. Troy was going to have his hands full in the years to come because she loved boys. That was partially our fault because we only let her around boys that often. On the road it was 25 boys plus a full stuff besides Alyssa and Danni.

At home all of our friends were Ben, Drew, Hanson, and the only girls were Maya and Audrey and Emerson. There were just so many boys in her life so she was going to be a flirt with all of them. I sighed as I went to the check out. "Mommy, can I have candy?"

"No, you got some last time." I said filling the convoy belt full of the food. The lady smiled at me and I smiled back, "But mommy, daddy let me get some every time."

"And daddy needs to stop that." She giggled because she already knew that she had Troy wrapped around her finger with anything she needed. She was only four. "Momma?" she asked as the lady kept ringing up the food we needed. "Yes?"

"Can we go see daddy?"

"He should be at home Logan." She frowned, "But,"

"Logan, how about we play the five minute quiet game?"

"No."

I finished checking out and I thanked them for loading my cart back up. I went out into the parking lot as a chilly wind swept through Kansas City. "I have to call Daddy back," I told her as I pulled my phone out. "Momma,"

"Logi,"

I pressed Troy's number and it rang while I put the groceries into the back of the car. "Are we in a better mood now?" he asked me, I sighed, "No, I am actually not. I am tired and your daughter is asking one hundred and ten questions."

"Then why did you call me back? To yell?" Troy was pissy and I was pissy which didn't make for a good combination. "No, I wanted to let you know that we can compromise. I can see if we can have dinner earlier and if we can't you don't have to go and I will run Logan up to you after we eat."

"Okay,"

"I'm sorry for being this way. Are you at home?"

"I'm with Josh,"

I bit on my lip as I got Logan out and loaded her into her car seat. She helped me snap the buckles and I backed out shutting the door to the car. "What are you guys doing?" I asked quietly, "He decided he wanted to talk to Melissa."

"Oh no."

"Yup, so he is inside at there…her place right now. I will be home soon though."

"Okay. Logan wants you and I need you to take Logan. I really want to take a break for a little bit."

"Are you okay?"

"I just haven't been sleeping well. She is in a mood."

"Okay, I will see you in a bit then okay?"

"Thank you Troy,"

"I like this conversation a lot better," he said back, "Me too. I love you,"

"I love you too,"

Pulling into Swings parking lot, I thought of how successful they had become in the recent years. Troy finally convinced them to move up to KC and they were thriving on business up here. Troy was promoting them and their teams did really well. Gary and Lance loved being back with Troy again and enjoyed his visits all the time. He worked out here and a lot of teammates did as well.

They had six fields and a big indoor place like they did in New Mexico. The one in New Mexico was still popular as ever and Lance oversaw it as well. Logan grinned as we pulled in as I parked the car. I swung out and I went over to her side of the car. She was already unbuckled and once her door was opened she took off running. Troy stopped by but then had to go after a while to get to practice on time.

He promised Logan that they would get ice cream on the way home with each other. I followed Logan into the building and she went running down the hallway where the pop of the baseball bats was coming from. "Logan!" a couple of guys yelled, she giggled and I caught up to see Troy glanced up to see her. A smile spread over his lips and I couldn't contain my own smile, as he was happy with Logan. Logan made him happy.

"There is my girl," she skipped over a couple of boys and right into Troy's legs, "Hi daddy, bye daddy," Troy laughed as she went over to the group of 17 year olds and she giggled with them as they each picked her up and messed with her. Troy looked over their shoulders as he glanced at me, he talk to the assistant coach and then he walked over to me. He actually walked past me and I turned to follow him.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, he turned slightly to show me the smirk on his face. "Nothing."

"Troy Bolton,"

"What?" his voice full of innocence but his mind full of dirty things. He stepped into an empty party room and he pulled me closer. "Logan is busy with boys and we haven't had sex in weeks." He whispered, "It has not been weeks," I said with a laugh, "It feels like weeks, she keeps crawling into our bed." He complained Troy stroked his cheek with my hand. "You'll be okay." Troy whined into my ear and I wrapped my arms around him. "Maybe she can have a sleep over with Grandpa this weekend."

"I like the sound of the but I don't know how patient I am."

"We are not doing it here."

"Fine, you are no fun."

"Says the girl to convinced you to finally have car sex."

"We have had plenty of sex in my truck before,"

"Yea parked in a romantic spot, this was in our garage during nap time." Troy laughed, "Our lives are so different."

"I think we need to do a family vacation this year. Just us three," I told him, "We need some time away from here." Troy nodded his head, "I'll look later. Any place?"

"Just away." I said, "And warm."

"I can do that. We do want to take Logan?"

"Yes – I was thinking about doing a vacation without Logan this off season as well. Closer to Spring Training," I hinted, Troy looked at me and then he nodded, "I see. Do you have plans for this week?" I shook my head and I kissed him softly, "Maybe a couple,"

"If you do it that way then there is more pressure on both of us. How about I plan something without you knowing anything. Okay? You need to stop planning and let it go. Stop stressing over it. We aren't trying for a couple of months."

I sighed, "Fine. I want to become pregnant this year though."

"I understand. Please, stop worrying and stressing. It won't make the situation better." I hugged him, "Can you make sure my daughter isn't running around with a condom or anything?" Troy laughed, "These boys are not good for her."

"No…no they aren't."

"Go home and chill with a bottle of wine."

"I actually think I am going to go see Ellie and Ms. Emerson." Troy nodded, "Be good," I laughed, "You be good with my daughter." Troy kissed my forehead, "You see, we could have had sex during this time." I laughed, "Whatever. I will talk to you later."

Troy and I went different directions as I went back to the parking lot. As I went to the doors I was stopped by Lance. "Gabi," I smiled, "Hi, how are you?" he smiled, "Good. And you?"

"I'm okay."

"Good, good, I am glad you are doing okay."

"Lance, what do you want?" I asked him quietly, "Nothing, I just,"

"Lance, I have known you long enough."

"I wanted Troy to go down to the New Mexico location and do a little bit of working with him." I sighed, "Not that I care what Troy does. He can do whatever he wants."

"Gabi, you are his wife. Our goal in life is to keep the woman happy."

"Lance, please stop,"

"So you wouldn't get completely angry,"

"No."

"Good! Have a good night!"

Troy's POV

"I talked to Gabi! Now you don't need to worry about it," I spun around to look at Lance, "You did what?" I gritted my teeth while I looked at him, "I talked to her. She didn't get mad."

"She didn't get mad at you! I am never going to hear the end of it!" Lance scrunched up his face, "Shit."

"Exactly," I said, I rubbed my forehead, "Lance she isn't the happiest person in the world right now. I can't go. I'm sorry. Right now isn't the time."

"She said you could do whatever you want,"

"And then get yelled at? Lance, why aren't you listening to me? She is not happy right now."

"Perfect timing for you to get out of the house." I slapped my forehead when Logan came running over, "Daddy,"

"Logi?"

"Ice cream?"

"I don't know Logan," I glanced at my watch and then at her, "Can we do a rain check?"

"It isn't raining."

Lance laughed, "A little early for that one."

"Another time," I rephrased, she shook her head, "No,"

"It is past your bedtime," Lance snorted, "Does she have a bed time?"

"When we are home…" I said with a laugh, Logan stomped her feet and shook her head, "No," I sighed, "Logan, we don't have time tonight."

"Daddy," she started to cry and the ultimate I am exhausted cry left her mouth. A few of the baseball players turned our way but I bent over to pick her up. She grabbed onto my shirt as she pressed her face into my neck. Her sobs echoing out of her mouth, "I want ice cream," she cried, I looked at Lance and I nudged to the door. "I will call you tomorrow." I said quietly, he nodded, "Night,"

"Night,"

I grabbed my jacket and I went out the front doors with a screaming Logan. I rested her into her car seat but she wouldn't let go. "Logan, we are going to go home and put our PJ's on and cuddle before bed." I told her, she cried and I pried her fingers off of my shirt. I buckled her in and she tried to unbuckle herself, "Logan," she twisted and turned in her car seat. I sighed as I just shut the door. Logan did this occasionally when things went too late and she didn't get enough sleep.

One small thing would set her off and she would cry until she fell asleep. A joy to live with at times. Swings was only five minutes from our nice which was very convenient for the late nights that I would go out and pitch or would meet up with people early in the morning.

Pulling into the driveway, Logan was unbuckling her seat belt and I cursed under my breath because I hated when she did that. Parking the car I got out and I picked up Logan who was still screaming. "Logan, we don't unbuckle our seatbelts until the car is stopped." She didn't care and she wouldn't care. Going inside Gabi looked up from the counter and she sighed, "One of those nights?" I nodded, "I got her."

I took her down to her room as I fought her into her PJs, as she was a limp rag in my arms. "Logan, do you need to go potty?" I asked, she shook her head and I shut the lights up and I laid down into her bed. I pulled her close to my chest and she continued to cry but she started to slow down. I rubbed her back and she gripped onto my shirt, I pressed my lips into her hair while she babbled about all of her things that she wanted and did all of these things.

Once she fell asleep I just watched her for a little bit as I stroked her hair gently. The door propped open and Skip walked through the doorway and he jumped onto the bed. I looked at him and he curled up into a tight ball. He was getting up there in age but he loved to be with Logan. They were big buddies now and we decided to let them sleep together now. "Is she asleep?" I looked over at Gabi and I nodded my head.

"Yea,"

She moved her head as if I were to follow her. I smiled as I pushed off the bed after kissing Logan's temple. Getting out of her bed without waking her up was a trick that Gabi and I had both mastered years ago. Leaping out of the room I cracked her door and Gabi was waiting in the hallway as I made a move out. "Hello," I said with a smirk, I pressed my lips against hers and she smiled into the kiss. "Will you please lock our bedroom door this time?" she asked, I couldn't contain my own laugh, "Yes, ma'am."

I shoved her into the room while I locked the door behind us. "I still haven't started birth control yet but please wear a condom," she said, this would be the first time in almost a year that I hadn't worn a condom or she didn't take birth control. I bit on my lip and I nodded, "Yup." I grabbed the box from the bathroom and I met her on the bed. I kissed her again and her hands moved up behind my shirt and I tugged her closer.

She began to undo my jeans while I slipped the sweatpants off of her waist and pressed her back into the bed. She wrapped her legs around me and pulled me closer to her. "I love you," I whispered into her ear. I kissed her temple and then her cheek and then below her neck. She moaned into my ear, "Shh…Logan is right next door."

She groaned mostly from frustration because Logan wasn't the heaviest sleeper in the world. I wrapped my arms around her tightly and I kissed her lips to mostly shut her up. She pushed my shirt off to unlock our lips and then I took off her bra and I began to kiss her breasts. "I'm in love with you Troy,"

"I'm in love with you too,"

We began to kiss again and her hands slipped into my underwear, as this is the farthest we have gotten in weeks without Logan or somebody interrupting us.

Gabi's POV

Thursday, October 12th, 2023

"DADDY! DADDY!" A loud banging was coming from our door and I groaned twisting into Troy's arm. "Maybe if we stay quiet we don't have to get up out of the bed." He whispered as he kissed my temple. I pressed up against him, "I really don't want to ruin this."

"No, she is not getting in our bed tonight."

"DADDY!" she yelled, she then banged on the door loudly. Troy groaned into my hair, "I'll take her back to bed."

"You have to promise to take your shorts off again. I want to wake up with you naked so maybe that we can have a special morning," Troy grinned, "You don't have to ask me twice." Troy slipped out of the bed and he slid on a pair of shorts. He walked over to the door and he opened it, "Lolo,"

"Daddy," I could hear the sassiness in her voice from here, "You need to go back to your bedroom." Troy said crossing his arms, "No, I want to stay here." I smiled into my pillow because she was the sassiest girl I knew.

Troy picked her up, "No. You are going back to bed." He went down the hallway but she started to cry over something and he was gone longer than I wanted him to be gone. "Gabs," I groaned because I did not want to put any of my clothes back on. This sucks. Having a child and a sex life sucks.

Rolling out of bed I grabbed Troy's t-shirt that went to mid thigh and I slipped on a pair of shorts for fun and games. Walking down the hall I leaned into Logan's room, "Yes?" Logan popped up and looked at me, "Mommy, I want to sleep in your bed."

"Sorry sweetie, you don't get to sleep in our bed tonight." She started to cry and Troy glanced back at me. I shook my head and he nodded his head back, "Logan, you will sleep in your bed tonight. Understood?" she shook her head and she hung on to Troy, "Logan, you are going to stay in your room tonight. Mommy and Daddy need mommy and daddy time." She shook her head, "I love you daddy, and I want to sleep in your bed."

"No," Troy said, he slipped his arms away from her and she started to cry. He got up quickly; "You are much better at this than me." I rolled my eyes as Troy was making me the bad guy again. "Logan Brielle," she looked at me and I laid her down into her big girl bed. "You need to stay in your bed for the rest of the night and if you do stay in the bed for the rest of the night then tomorrow night we can have pizza for dinner with ice cream sundaes for dessert."

She thought about it and agreed. We did not have pizza or any fast food around this house very often and it was a privilege to be able to have such things. "Okay," I kissed her forehead, "You can come into our room when the sun is up okay?" Troy tried to hide his groan behind me because he would probably wanted to do things in the morning but since we were up why not do them now. "Momma," I tucked Logan's hair behind her ear, "Yes?"

"Can I have an extra cherry?"

"Of course." I kissed her forehead, "Now if you come into our room before the sun is up then there will be green beans and chicken for dinner." She stuck her tongue out and I couldn't help but smile. "I love you Lolo,"

"Love you momma,"

"Love you Lo,"

"Love you daddy,"

We both got out of the room and I shut her door, "I told you that you were better at it than me," Troy whispered, his hands pulled me closer by the waist and I shook my head. "No, you just hate making her upset." Troy smiled as he pulled me into a kiss. "Mhm," he whispered, he parted my lips easily and his hand slipped behind my head. "We should take this down the hall." I whispered Troy nodded his head, "Absolutely."

He pushed me gently and I protested as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He swept me up and took me to the room. We were quickly both undressed and Troy reached over for the condoms and he spilt them all over the floor. Troy laughed as he kissed me, "Look's like we should use all of those tonight." I laughed, "You wish but we only have about three hours until sunrise."

"Damn sun, maybe if we go put a piece of black cardboard outside of her window and she will never know." I slapped his shoulder and he smiled, "This is nice." He whispered into my ear, "There is no stress with this."

"I like that," I whispered and I pulled him into a deeper kiss. I really love this.

Troy's POV

Pressing my face into the pillow, I squinted to see that the sun was up and Logan wasn't standing in my room. I reached over to pull Gabi closer to me and once I moved her I felt that she was still naked. I smiled and I kissed her temple gently, "Good morning," I whispered into her hair, "Your daughter will be here in any moment. I suggest you put pants on."

"THE SUN IS UP!"

"Fuck," I whispered into the pillow, Gabi edged the blankets up higher as she was still fully nude. "Good morning daddy," she came to my side of the bed and I smiled at her, "Good morning Lolo," she smiled and was holding her blankie, "Can I get into bed now,"

I laughed nervously, "Did you use the potty this morning?"

"Yes,"

"How about your teeth?"

"Yes,"

"Have you been up for a long time?"

"No."

We both looked at each other and I laughed, "Lolo, I actually need you to go downstairs and find my car keys," she scrunched her face up, "I want to cuddle."

"You have school this morning,"

"It's Thursday,"

"Good God, Gabi have you taught her everything?" Gabi laughed, "Logan, did you feed Skip this morning?" Gabi asked her as she leaned over my shoulder.

"Oops! Then can I cuddle?"

"Yes!" we both said together, she began to walk away when she stepped on something. I saw what it was and I groaned as I buried my head into the pillow. "Dadda, what is this?" she asked, Gabi gaped and I couldn't contain my laughter as Logan had picked up a condom off the floor. "Thank God you are three,"

"I'm almost four," she argued, "Which is why," I leaned out of the bed, "You don't need this." I plucked the condom out of her hand and she scrunched up her nose, "Is it a prize?" Gabi couldn't contain her laughter, "No. It is not a prize."

"Then what is it?"

"None of your business." I declared, "Now, go feed Skip."

She ran out of the room and I started to laugh, "Sex ed at the age of four."

Gabi got out of bed as she moved to the bathroom to put on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. "Troy, put shorts on. She is going to be back any minute."

"I am mortified Gabi,"

"Shorts." She tossed a pair of shorts to me and I finally decided to slip them on. Gabi crawled back into bed and I shook my head, "Condoms."

"Did you pick the rest of them up?" Gabi asked, I leaned over the side of the bed and I began to sweep underneath of the bed. "Yea, I think we used them all last night." Gabi laughed as Logan bounced into the room. "Can we cuddle NOW?" she asked, I patted the spot next to me and she ran into the bed.

Gabi smiled while she pulled Logan close to her with a smile, "You were a good girl and waited until the sun came up, what kind of pizza do you want tonight?"

"Mushroom,"

"Good choice baby girl, how about some spinach as well?" Logan nodded and she wrapped her arms around Gabi, "Momma,"

"Yea?"

"Can I play with Audrey today?"

"She is coming over tomorrow." I told her, "She will come over after school."

"Can I go play with Papi?"

"I don't know sweetie," Gabi responded,

"Can we go play with Uncle Eric and Uncle Sal?" I laughed, "Lolo, you won't see them for a little while. Not until after Christmas,"

"No. I want to see them today,"

"Let's Face time Uncle Sal, he is always up for a good chat. Uncle Hosmer probably isn't awake yet." Gabi laughed and I began to mess around on my phone until it started to ring. Logan came over to be closer to me as Gabi relaxed against the pillow.

"Hermano!" Logan gasped, "Uncle Sal!"

"Logi!" I smiled, "Hi Sal,"

"What are you guys up too?" his broken English made it hard for Logan to follow but he was also teaching her Spanish along the way so she was doing well. "Logan missed you. She is worse than you when it comes to missing baseball." Salvy broke out into a smile, "Lolo, I miss you too!"

My eyes flickered over to Gabi as she started to move, I frowned and she reached over to kiss my cheek. "Gabi!" she smiled, "Hi Sal," she greeted, "Where are you going?" I asked her, "You guys relax. I need to go switch the laundry and do the dishes."

I grabbed her hand; Logan took the phone from my hand and started to have a full conversation with Salvador. "Brie," I asked quietly, "What's up?"

Sliding out of the bed I pulled on her waist as I pressed her closer to me, she laughed, "I have chores to do."

"I thought it was cuddle time."

"Wasting precious time."

"Mm…whatever."

Gabi's POV

"Grandpa," Logan said sitting at the table, "Yes Logan?"

"Can we go play?" my dad leaned against the table while I took a sip of my coffee. He had randomly stopped by after taking the kids to school. Logan was excited as hell when he showed up and left Troy alone upstairs. He ended up jumping into the shower and I took another drink of the coffee.

"Dad, Logan wanted to come over for a sleepover this weekend. Do you think that is okay?" My dad nodded as he turned around to look at me, "How about I pick her up for school tomorrow. You and Troy can go away or have time together. When is the last time that happened without baseball?"

"It has been a while," I agreed, "Then I will take her Friday and Saturday night." I smiled as Troy came down into the kitchen, "What did I just hear? Do I get Gabi time without having to explain to my daughter what a," Troy glanced at Logan and my dad reached over to cover her ears. "Condom," Troy finished and my dad looked at both of us. I felt my cheeks turn hot red and Troy nodded. "Oh yea,"

"Well that must have been fun,"

"Thrilling." Troy stated, Logan looked up at my dad and she smiled, "Grandpa, I want to go with you now."

"Sorry, sweet girl," she pouted and my dad groaned, "Of all the things you gave her Gabi the pout?"

"I know right?" Troy said, he poured himself a thing of coffee, "This is why I am the bad guy because I know what is behind that pout." My dad smiled as Troy came over to rub my shoulder. "Is your dad for real offering to take Logan? Cody and Becca don't have the kids this weekend. I bet Ellie and Chase can have Chase's mom watch Emerson and,"

"Troy, slow down,"

"We haven't had a friends night in months without children around. When in the world are we going to have this chance again?"

"Oh so you are going to pull Josh out of his drunken state?"

My dad glanced at us, "What, is Josh still?"

"We have barely seen him in two days." I said, "He comes home late and is distant when we try to talk to him." My dad frowned, "Melissa killed him huh?"

"I just don't think he expected it. He really loves her."

"Loved," I cringed and I turned around to face Josh, "How are you?" Troy asked, "I'm fantastic." Josh reached for a beer and Troy stepped in, "How about we go to the gym together?" Troy intervened, Josh looked at him, "And then can I drink?"

"How about we play baseball all day long?" Josh grunted and put the beer back, "Fine. I will get ready. If you aren't ready in ten minutes I am opening a beer." Josh headed back downstairs as we all sighed after his leaving. "Sounds like I am playing baseball all day." Troy kissed the back of my head and he went down the hall quickly.

"I want to go play baseball," Logan said getting down from her chair, my dad picked her up quickly, "I don't think so." My dad said, she giggled, "Grandpa, why not?" she giggled loudly while I went out into the hall. They began to laugh in the kitchen as Josh came back up the stairs. He rubbed his eyes, "Josh,"

"What, do I need a lecture about how drinking isn't,"

"Josh, I know you are upset and hurting but you cannot be doing this around Logan all of the time. Okay?" he smiled, "You have no idea how much this hurts," I bit on my lip, "No, I don't but is beer the answer? You have a baseball career Josh. You have a team that needs you next year. Grieving and being angry is fine? Of course but don't start drinking." Troy came back down and he looked at Josh, "Come on," Troy said gently, he shoved Josh to the garage and Josh started to walk.

I sighed as I returned back to the kitchen, "Momma, can I spend the rest of the day with Grandpa?"

My phone vibrated and I looked down to see Melissa calling me. I looked at my dad and he shrugged, "Sure sweetie," I picked up the phone, "Hello," I said shortly, "Can we talk?"

"Yes,"

"How about lunch?"

"Melissa, I don't know if it should be a long visit."

"Gabi, I need, I need you to hear my side of this, please,"

"Fine. Lunch, Panera?"

"Thank you Gabi, I really, I am feeling horrible about this. I don't know how,"

"I'll see you at one,"

I hung up the phone and my dad looked at me, "Thank you,"

"No problem…"

I stood at the counter of Panera ordering my food when I heard Melissa come in the room. I turned around as I glanced at her. Sweat pants with a baggy sweatshirt on over top. Nothing like Melissa would normally wear. Her hair was in a messy bun that was not at all supposed to be messy. Her eyes were red and I could tell she had been affected by everything happening too yet my sympathy for her wasn't high.

I paid for my food when I waved at her, she looked at me and I could see how nervous she was. She knew where my alliance most likely lied and that was with Josh. Josh was my friend before I became friends with Melissa. I shared my apartment in New York with Josh and in Arizona before they ever became a thing. Josh was one of my closest friends.

She approached me, "Are you going to order?" I asked, she shook her head, "I am not all the hungry." She declared, I nodded and I waited for my food, as I was hungry. Logan had disappeared with my dad for the rest of the day while Troy tried to keep Josh away from the beer. When we got to the table Melissa sat on the other side of me and she was more silent than usual. I took a bite of my salad as I watched her squirm for a minute. Her eyes were tired and her hair was thinner than normal.

It had been a month since I had seen her and I was kind have surprised by her appearance. Josh made it sound like she was fine and she didn't act like she cared. This Melissa cared.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked after another bite, she looked up at me and she buried her face into her hands. "I fucked up Gabi,"

"I'm glad you realize this now…almost a month later."

"No, I realized it the first moment it ever happened Gabi but I was addicted to the rush of the secrets and the different ways Aaron would touch me," I held up my hand, "Spare me those details please," Melissa sighed, "I am I just…Josh and I's relationship got boring. We were becoming one of those couples who had sex to just have sex. There wasn't anything exciting about that and then Aaron started to flirt with me at Spring Training last year."

"Please tell me this hasn't been going on since Spring Training?"

"Of course not. It was innocent flirting and I watch Josh flirt with other girls all of the damn time. Any fan he just flirts with,"

"The difference there, Melissa is he doesn't go and sleep with them,"

"No but Aaron was constantly there. He was always making jokes and then at one of the games after Aaron hit a walk-off he kissed me expectantly and I didn't talk to him for a month after that. I hated him for what he did but he kept apologizing and I didn't know what to do. I felt bad so we went to lunch together one day and then one thing lead to another. We only had sex three different times and I never actually liked him."

"Then why in the hell did you do it?"

"Because my life finally wasn't boring anymore! I was so sick of getting up, going to work with the same people, going to a baseball game, and then coming home to Josh who was normally in a bad ass mood the rest of the night and if they won he went out with his friends and came home to have sex without really touching me. It was just a damn routine that we got into and I hated it. If I approached him about it I didn't know what he would say."

"Well now you have Josh who can't stop drinking long enough to realize what the hell is going on in his life," I snapped, "If you would have just talked to him like normal couples do then maybe we wouldn't be sitting here right now." Melissa cringed at my tone and I pushed my salad away annoyed. "We all have problems and we work them out. We constantly work them out by communicating. You clearly forgot that important step."

"I didn't mean to Gabi! I feel so bad for what I did to him. I know I broke his heart and I regret it every damn day. It is the first thing I think of when I wake up and I am haunted by his face and in that moment I will never forget how much he actually loved me because he was fucking heartbroken," tears welled in her eyes and I turned away because I knew what she was talking about. My thought went right back to when I broke up with Troy all of those many years ago. The look of shattering his heart in the open air and I had my own tears now.

"Melissa, I don't understand your actions. I really I honestly don't but I understand the feeling that you feeling like you shattered his heart. I really do." She looked at me and I took a deep breath pinching my nose. "I broke up with Troy because I wasn't sure I could do this whole baseball girlfriend/wife thing. I could see his heart shattering into pieces and you do, you realize how much they love you in that very moment."

"I love him Gabi," I nodded as I swallowed against the lump in my throat. She took a napkin and wiped away a tear. "Melissa, he doesn't think that you even care that this happened. He comes back from talking with you destroyed because he thinks you have up and moved on."

"I try to put up a better front, Gabi, I have barely left my bed in the past month and I haven't talked to Aaron since that day. I can't talk to Aaron because I love Josh. Josh is the one I love but I killed him. I have ruined everything that we had between us and that makes me feel horrible because he doesn't deserve that." She really started to cry now and I knew as a friend of Melissa's that I had to somewhat understood her side of this story.

She was fed up with their lives and got caught up in a wanderlust and then reality set in. Do I excuse it? Of course not but I do understand.

I went over and I hugged Melissa tightly, "I do not excuse your actions but I'm so sorry," she hugged me tightly back, "You are the first friend to actually talk to me. I know that most of you are going to choose Josh over me because you have known him the longest and I understand. I just needed one of you to hear my side of the story. I know it was irresponsible and stupid of me but I don't know, I didn't realize what our relationship was until then."

"Have you told Josh this?"

"He is so angry with me Gabi, he can barely look at me."

"Do you blame him Melissa? Do you blame him at all for not being able to look at you right now? You broke all of the trust that he built up for you." She wiped at her eyes, "And when I tell him something else he is going to hate me even more." I glanced at her and she took a deep breath, "I'm uh…pregnant." My eyes went as wide as saucers and she looked at the ceiling to stop any of the tears from falling out of her eyes. "And I have no idea who the dad is because I am 8 weeks pregnant and 8 weeks ago I was still having regular sex with Josh but I also had sex with Aaron too."

"Did either use a condom?" I asked, "Aaron did at least twice. Once we were really drunk and I don't remember. Josh and I were never trying for a baby but sometimes he got a little too drunk to put one on or I forgot my birth control. It is possible for it to be either of their baby Gabi," she started to really cry now, "And I know how much Josh wants a baby and if it isn't his our relationship will be over. He will never be able to look at me again and Aaron is 22, he has no desire to have a kid right now."

In all of my disbelief I hugged Melissa tightly as she cried into my shoulder. I just held on this time because it pained me that she made a horrible choice and that everybody found out. Half of Kansas City knew what happened and now she had this as well. "You need to talk to Josh today," I told her, "He needs to see you like this. He is getting the wrong idea of how you are feeling because this…this is how you are feeling. You aren't happy, you aren't mad. You are upset and he needs to know about the baby."

She wiped away her tears and she sniffled, "I can't, he will get so angry."

"Do it at my house, he will be alcohol free after his workout and witnesses will be there."

"What about Logan? He is going to yell and I don't want her to see that. She has two happy parents," I smiled as I tucked her hair behind her ear, "She is with my dad right now, I kind of planned to get really angry with you but it was hard. I am angry with you for destroying Josh but I am not one to judge. I didn't do much for Troy a long time ago either."

"You at least didn't cheat on him,"

"There were times I about did and he doesn't know that by the way."

"You never did it though. It isn't the same thing. I think everybody once in his or her lives thinks about cheating on one another and it is even worse if they are in a long distance relationship. You don't see each other for months. It gets hard and I am not trying to make excuses for myself because I don't have one. I was stupid and reckless with the gift I was given. I just think that it crosses peoples minds when they are in a bad place."

"I'm actually proud of you Mel, you aren't making excuses."

"I just have a story and that isn't very impressive."

Melissa sat at the counter drinking a glass of water when the garage door opened. Josh and Troy were laughing about something and I glanced at Melissa who looked pained to know she was going to end the first day of happiness that he had achieved.

"Gabs, something smells so good," Josh walked into the kitchen first and his eyes went straight to Melissa at the counter. His body stiffened up and Troy soon followed. He frowned glancing at her and I looked at Troy. His frown deepened when he looked at me because he knew I was behind this. "What in the hell are you doing here?" Troy quickly did a scan for Logan and I shook my head. He nodded and I stepped out of the way.

"I need to talk to you," she confessed, Josh laughed, "Oh you need to talk to me? About what?" he started to look at her and he frowned looking at her because he realized she wasn't as happy as she claimed to be. "About a lot things," she said back, "Well Logan is probably around,"

"No," I interjected, "She isn't. You two…go at it." I stepped out of the kitchen and I pulled on Troy to follow me. "What the hell is she doing here?" Troy whispered into my ear, "She asked me to listen so I did. Her actions are inexcusable and she understands that. She is dying inside because you know…do you remember how you told Josh you remember feeling like that?" Troy nodded his head, "That,"

"No, our actions were not the same but the way she described the moment Josh found them and his face afterwards reminded me a lot of you. The moment I walked out of the door I saw your heart shatter across the floor and Josh's did the same thing. Maybe I am insane but I found a side of sympathy for her. I felt that hurt once too and it sucks because she knows how hard this is for Josh. She wishes she had never done it."

Troy laughed, "Don't they all say that?" Troy asked, "She is a mess Troy and she told me something else that I will let Josh tell you." I said quietly, Troy ran his hands through his hair. "Gabi, I finally got him through a day without alcohol and now he is going to want straight out of the bottle tequila,"

"I'm sorry. It had to happen today."

"Why?"

I sat down on the couch exhausted from the day's events, "You'll find out later."

"Why aren't you telling me Gabriella?" I cringed at the use of my full name, "Because, he needs to tell somebody that doesn't already know. I already know, I already formed an opinion and he needs to have somebody else have a quick reaction and a quick response."

"Did Aaron propose?"

"No, hell no, she hasn't talked to Aaron since that day and I honestly believe her. That is a sketchy one to believe but I believe it. The way she sounded just made me agree."

Josh laughed from the kitchen and it was a very sarcastic laugh. I got up from the couch and I went into the kitchen from the side as I watched them both. Troy stood behind me as Melissa was crying and Josh had his hands on the top of his head. "You are fucking joking right?" she shook her head and Josh quickly left the room. I motioned for Troy to follow him and he did. Josh tried to open the fridge but Troy stopped him and shoved him out of the room.

I looked at Melissa and she just laid her head down as her shoulders shook violently. I went over and I sat in the bar stool next to her as I grabbed her hand. She looked at me and I looked at her. "He hates me Gabi,"

"He doesn't,"

"He hates me."

Troy's POV

Josh laughed as he sat on the bed, "Pregnant. She is fucking pregnant and do you want to know what's even better?" I blinked as I looked at him, Melissa? Pregnant?

"What?" I asked my voice caught in my throat, "She doesn't know who the father is because you know, eight weeks ago I still didn't know she was fucking cheating on me. She gave me this bullshit tonight that our lives were dull and that we did the same thing. That when we had sex anymore it wasn't what we used to have that marriage had dulled our lives down." He laughed, "Then she told me how sorry she was and how she can't believe she hurt me like she did."

"Maybe she is trying to tell you the truth. She probably never meant to have sex with Aaron."

"Maybe if he date raped her I would believe her but she did it with consent Troy, fucking consent." He gripped his head, "She is pregnant with mine or his baby. We have no fucking idea whose baby it is and she doesn't want it to be Aaron's but I don't want to be forced to stay with her because of a baby."

"You don't have too." I told him, "Dude, she probably isn't making that up though. She looks pretty beat up to me and you are right. Her actions are excusable at all. She lost all of your trust as it should but she hurts. She may be carrying your child too. You are going to have to make peace with that and without alcohol."

"Troy, I need a damn drink."

"No, you finally had a good day. You went out and played baseball and you were back to you for five damn seconds. Logan misses her fun Uncle Josh running around the house with her because you won't get out of the damn bed. You need a reality check."

He laid flat on the bed, "I want a kid so badly but right now? I want a kid right now? No. I can barely look at Melissa without wanting to yell at her for being a fucking bitch."

"Hey, that is at least getting better! Last time it was wanting to kill her. Moving to yelling."

"I'm not in the mood for jokes Troy,"

"Alrighty then…"

Everybody seemed to be getting pregnant that didn't want to be pregnant but the moment Gabi wanted to be pregnant it wouldn't happen and I knew how much this was probably killing her on the inside. She didn't have this issue but I know how much she wanted to have another baby. She wanted another baby.

"Gabi can't get pregnant," I told him, hopefully to get his mind off of everything that is going on right now. I don't know why I didn't mention it earlier today when we were messing around but I didn't want to stress him out.

"That sucks, she actually mentioned that to me a couple of nights ago."

"She is pretty beat up about it and I don't know how to handle her man. I just, I know how much she wants it but it just isn't happening."

"Don't force it dude, just let it happen,"

"That's why I booked us a nice getaway in a couple of weeks. It's really for her birthday but I am not letting us even try again until at least then."

"Good choice," I nodded, "Now, you need to grow up a little bit. Take the night to think about it but you are going to need to talk to Melissa. You need to have a plan of action of how you are going to do this and you need to be civil about it. No screaming. It isn't good for her and if you are stressing her out too much that isn't good either. You need to have a conversation."

"Tomorrow Troy," he closed his eyes and I hit his stomach, he groaned, "Tomorrow. Here Logan won't be here again tomorrow night because she'll be with Gabi's dad,"

"Do your parents ever see her?"

"They are busy with Luke and baseball,"

"How is that going?"

"He keeps trying to be better than me and that is getting into his head too much."

"How old is he now?"

"Fourteen,"

"Good god, I remember when he was running underneath of our legs during our first year of spring training together."

"Makes us old huh?"

"Definitely."

"Get some sleep dude, okay?"

"You kicked my ass today. I will definitely sleep."

Gabi's POV

I stroked Logan's hair as I looked at the ceiling in her room. I waited for her to fall asleep but she was still in and out of it. "Is she out?" I turned to see Troy and I glanced down at Logan, "Just about." Troy nodded, "Is she really pregnant?"

"Do you really think she would lie about that right now?" I asked quietly, I shifted out of the bed but Logan woke up again. I stroked her forehead and she let her eyes close again. "Go to sleep sweet girl, you have a busy day tomorrow." She shut her eyes and turned her head into the pillow. I walked out into the hallway with Troy and he shut off the lights and shut the door.

"Because if she is lying about it that will kill Josh. I don't think he will recover well from that."

"Troy, she is upset because she knows that if it is Aaron's then that will forever destroy everything they have."

"She already destroyed everything they have."

I turned to look at him, "Do you think they have no chance ever again?"

"Josh doesn't think so."

"Josh is still angry Troy, weren't you angry with me a month after we broke up?"

"I was pissed at you."

"See? His vision is blurred right now because he is so angry. If in six months he rethinks and she is actually pregnant with his child then I believe they will somehow work it out. He loves he. He still does because he is affected by her presence still. He knows she controls him still."

"Good god, you are a female."

"I know, thanks for reminding me."

"I just don't see it ever happening."

"They are having a child together Troy,"

"How do you know that it is his?"

"Because…in this twisted world we live in you go through heartbreak to experience the most wonderful things in the world. You have to go through the hard stuff before you get the good stuff. Maybe they won't stay married but maybe they can be civil with each other instead of yelling at each other. They are going to have to work it out."

"I just don't see it."

"Coming from the heartbroken,"

"And you are the heartbreaker?"

"In this situation…yes."

Sorry about not updating last night! My nephew came over at 2 and then we watched the Oscars until it was over and I crashed. It was a busy day and I just simply forgot but here it is this morning! I hope you guys enjoyed!

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