“Is that why you’ve been keeping your distance from me when you can?”
“Pretty much. Once you were pregnant, I thought I could keep my distance. I had had you in my bed, and my fantasy was real. I thought that would be it.” Tyler shook his head. “But it wasn’t. My desire for you just grew. And I was forgetting myself whenever you were in the room. Being away in New Zealand should have been a good time for me to recharge and reset everything, and it wasn’t. I performed badly, and I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
Kristie stared.
“I affected your performance.”
“That’s not your fault. It’s mine for not confronting how I really feel.” Tyler looked away. “It took me getting a lifeline from my coach telling me to get my shit sorted before the next tour for me to realise that I love you. I thought it was an itch that went away once I scratched it. But it was something more. Something stronger. I was just an idiot not to see it until then.”
Kristie let all of these words sink in. He loved her? Tyler Young actually loved her? She swallowed back the lump in her throat.
“Have you told Steve this?”
“I have. And he said I’d better not hurt you if I intend on making things between us official.”
“And what about work?”
“Screw work right now. I want to focus on us, and our future.” Tyler suddenly sat forward, cupping Kristie’s head in his hands. “I want us to be together. No co-parenting, no you giving me the baby after the birth. I want to raise the baby together. As a couple who love each other. I know I’ve done things in the past that might make you nervous, but I’m willing to show that you and I can work. If you’re concerned about me travelling all the time for my schedule, I’ll cut back or retire. It’s not a big deal. Just as long as you’re happy.”
Kristie let the words sink in. This felt like it was moving too fast. Then again, hadn’t they been dancing around this since Tyler asked her to carry his child? That was several months too long, in her opinion.
“I don’t want you to retire.”
“What?”
“Don’t retire. I know the team is important to you.” Kristie reached out and brushed her fingers across his jaw. She had missed the feel of him, the bristles tickling her hand. “I understand it all, so you being away and playing cricket isn’t going to bother me. Just as long as you do your fair share of changing nappies and feeding when you’re home.”
“I will. I promise.” Tyler looked relieved as he nodded. “I’ll be asking for paternity leave in the New Year. Then you won’t have to worry about me for a while.”
“Are you sure?”
“Why wouldn’t I be around for the birth of my child? You’re not doing this alone.” Tyler leaned his forehead against hers. “I love you, Kristie. And I’ll prove it. As long as you love me in return.”
Kristie was not going to get bored of him saying that to her. She kissed him.
“I love you, too.”
“Really?”
“Really. And if you’re really sure about this, I’ll do it with you. We’ll raise our child together.” She kissed him again. “If you think you can put up with me, and we’re going to have to be professional at work.”
“Oh, honey, I can easily put up with you. As for work, I think we can manage.” Tyler pulled her to him, pressing a kiss to her forehead before hugging her. “I thought you were going to stand your ground. I was getting scared.”
Kristie laughed.
“When a pregnant woman is told by someone that they are loved and they’re going to be there, how can she resist?”
“You’re saying I should persuade you into things when you’re pregnant?”
Kristie swatted his shoulder.
“You’re impossible.”
“I know.” Tyler tugged her onto his lap so she was straddling him. He smiled as he rested a hand on her belly. “And you’re stuck with it.”
Kristie was still giggling as Tyler started kissing her again.