Foul Ball
Chapter 32: Macey

Jayce and I ended up sleeping the rest of the flight, landing in Detroit around nine thirty or so. It was cold there, almost colder than Colorado, and as soon as we grabbed our luggage and stepped out into brisk Michigan air to catch a cab or an Uber, Jayce visibly shivered, teeth nearly chattering.

"Why is it so cold here?" he asked breathlessly, pulling my body against his for the extra warmth. "It feels like it's still winter."

"You don't know anything about the winters here," I said with a laugh. "We actually get snow instead of rain, and the winters drag on for months and months. This is nothing compared to what it can be."

Jayce shook his head, pulling his jacket tighter around his chin with a shiver. "I changed my mind," he breathed. "I don't want to see Michigan."

"You'll be fine," I said, popping up on my toes to kiss his lips. "Let's get to the room and get under the covers. We can enjoy our last little bit of privacy before tomorrow." Ordering an Uber from my phone, Jayce and I waited together outside the pick up spot of the airport, grateful when the driver arrived. We tossed our bags in the trunk of the car and slid into the backseat. Jayce visibly sighed with relief as heat from the car enveloped us.

"Are you from around here?" the driver asked, trying to make conversation.

"I am," I said, glancing quickly at Jayce. "But he's not."

"Is it that obvious?" Jayce asked, and the driver and I both laughed.

"Only a little," I promised and gave our driver the address to our hotel. It didn't take long to get there, and that was a relief, because I was starting to feel tired again, like I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes open longer than necessary. It was getting late, and we still had the wedding to attend tomorrow.

The driver dropped us off at the hotel and I tipped him, then Jayce and I went inside to check in. We were both dragging due to jet lag as we rode the elevator to the third floor and found our room.

"It's nothing fancy, but it'll do," I said, snapping the chain lock into place before dropping my bag next to my feet and face-planting onto the crisply made king bed. Jayce put down his bag as well and crossed the floor to look out the window, his eyes checking out the lights and the people of Detroit.

"Are you sure it's safe here?” he asked, closing the curtain before joining me on the bed. "Are people going to try and break in?”

I laughed, realizing that Jayce was less of a big city boy that I had originally assumed. "Nobody is going to break in and take our backpacks," I promised him. "It's just like any other city."

"But more dangerous," he muttered. With a laugh, I pulled him down on the bed next to me and kissed him, hard, until the tension seemed to melt from Jayce's shoulders as he kissed me back without even a second's moment of hesitation. "I'll protect you," I whispered in his ear. "Don't you worry. Now, are you hungry?"

"I'm only hungry if we don't have to leave the room," he said with a wink. "Fortunately for you, we can order delivery. How about pizza?" "Sounds great."

It felt good, knowing that I would face my family tomorrow with Jayce by my side. For the first time in a long time, I felt like it might actually be okay, that we could get in and out in due time and resume our lives without something going so horribly wrong. It felt good. Hopefully it would stay like that.

Jayce and I cuddled in bed and ate pizza and cheese sticks from the box, watching comedy reruns on TV as we huddled under the comforter, wrapped in each other's arms. It didn't take long afterwards for me to fall asleep, tucked into the crook of Jayce's arm. I didn't wake a single time until morning was upon us.