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And it's true.

Suddenly, I don't care how he hurt his wrist. I don't care if he's young, old, tall, short, a fucking truck driver or the goddamn president. I don't wanna know another thing about the guy.

Or any other guy that decides to hit on Lenny.

My Lenny.

"How's Vienna doing?"

I let go of the breath I'd been holding, leaning my forearms back onto the podium. "She's good. I'm pretty sure she's currently trying to teach JJ how to sign the Star Spangled Banner."

"Why?" she laughs.

The realization hits me then that Lenny won't be here for V's big night. It rips through me—sharp and sudden—before Lenny's giggle softens the edges.

"Some baseball thing," I say simply.

"And how's that going?"

In perfect timing, there's a crash on the other side of the wall that may or may not have anything to do with V's lesson. "My guess is about as good as you'd expect."

"Well—oh, hold on a second."

After a quick beat of silence from her end, Lenny comes back. "Sorry…" she mutters. "I, uh—had another call."

"Do you need to take it?"

"Nope," she says without hesitation. "So… you come back tomorrow?"

Just the idea of returning to Golden City—to her—makes me stand up straighter.

"Yeah, we head out late afternoon. After the game."

Lenny hums, and it's like it triggers a shift in the whole conversation.

"And you'll drop your sister off at home?"

My ears buzz.

"Uh huh."

"Then nothing?"

The rest of my body follows suit.

"Nope," I say.

"Hmm."

That's all she responds with, but I can picture her face—see her smile.

I drag my bottom lip between my teeth, hiding my own. "You want to see me, don't ya, O'Reilly."

There's a long pause until she attempts to nonchalantly blow me off. "I never said that."

I adjust my feet. "You totally miss me."

More silence follows before she lets out a quiet groan. "I don't not miss you."