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You still there? That was a long moment of silence.

DANAE

Just processing.

ME

Should I be driving over there to talk in person?

DANAE

No, I’ll be ok. Just processing.

ME

I’m on my way.

Normally, I’m chomping at the bit to leave for spring training and dive into the excitement of the upcoming season. Excited to see friends from other teams I haven’t seen in a few months. Ready for the hype of interactions with fans who fly in for games, hoping for autographs. Happy to spend quality time with my teammates and skip out on the end of winter in Kansas.

This year, I’m counting down the days with a degree of dread mixed into the excitement. And not only because of the constant anxiety of proving that I’m “back” from my injury. It’s also because of who I’m leaving behind.

When Danae asked me last Saturday about the flexibility of my schedule, I could sense something deeper behind the question. Once I made it to her house, she filled me in on another minor explosion that Jason had the night before. He didn’t physically destroy anything this time, but I know it’s destroying Danae’s heart to see him hurting so much and not being able to fix it. A feeling I identify with. I wish the embrace of my arms could be enough to fix everything forher, to reassure her that she’s doing an amazing job, that things are going to be okay. But her defeated demeanor for the remainder of the day let me know that my arms weren’t enough.

We had a few tense moments that day discussing the reality of the months ahead of us. I had to run a lot of interference for Danae’s poor fingernails. Although I was able to drop everything and go to her house that morning, in just a few days, I’ll be in Arizona for six weeks, followed by six months of games almost daily.

I don’t know how to prove to her that I’m there for her and Jason when I honestly don’t know howthereI can be. I haven’t navigated a serious relationship during baseball season.

Let’s be honest—I haven’t navigated aseriousrelationship, period.

Which makes me even more anxious about being so far away from her for so long.

Unfortunately, this week has been packed with final agenda items and endorsement appointments that have to happen before I leave town. I’ve had to make do with daily text message conversations instead of seeing Danae in person, which is not an adequate replacement. I’m more eager than ever to see her tonight. Hold her hand. Run my fingers through her hair. Kiss her. All the things I’ll be missing out on for six weeks.

Drew and Lily are hosting a team dinner at their house tonight so everyone can finally meet Danae. At least she’s confident enough in our relationship to spend a night socializing with my teammates and their wives and girlfriends.

Then again, it’s possible I haven’t accurately prepared her for exactly what that will entail.

Normally, Sam would tag along to a gathering like this, but she was more than willing to stay with Jason so that Danae could accompany me. Sam’s been doing everything in her power to keep Danae around, and I’m not arguing with her meddling in this case. I’ll take any assist I can get to keep Danae in my life.

When we arrive at Danae’s townhouse, Sam immediately surprises Jason with the newHarry PotterLego set we brought for him. He whoops and goes running to the dining table to start building. Danae smiles at him and then turns a nervous smile to me.

“Am I dressed okay?” she asks, looking down at the cream sweater, black skirt, and black tights she’s wearing. “I wasn’t sure how to dress for tonight, so I googled ‘baseball wives and girlfriends,’ and I should not have done that. My entire wardrobe is spread out across my bed, and I’m still afraid I chose the wrong outfit.”

I loop a hand around her waist, pressing the small of her back to move her closer to me. “You look beautiful. You could have worn sweats and a hoodie tonight, and I still would have proudly shown you off to everyone. Becauseyouare amazing. And gorgeous.”

Leaning in, I press a gentle kiss to her lips, resisting the overwhelming urge to deepen it into something more. Drawing back, there are still lines of worry around her eyes.

“But is this outfit okay?”

I can’t help but chuckle. “It’s perfect. You’ll fit right in. The other gals are going to love you, and the guys are all dying to meet you,” I say, which only serves to deepen her worry lines. I snatch her hands in mine before she can pick at the glossy nail polish. “Everyone there tonight already knows about your situation with Jason, and they know not to ask you tons of questions about it. These guys are like my brothers—they know I’ll beat them up if they mess with my girl,” I say before pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

She finally cracks a smile, and I inwardly pump my fist in victory. “I am excited to put faces and personalities with the names you talk about,” she says. She puffs a determined exhale. “Let’s go.”

When we arrive, Lily is there to immediately wrap Danae in a welcoming hug. “It’s so great to meet you! Griffin has been pretty tight-lipped about your relationship, but you’ve brought out this whole new smitten side of him we’ve never seen before. I’m excited to get to know you—oh, and I’m Lily. I’m married to Drew, the first baseman. Let me introduce you to the other ladies here.”

Lily starts to usher Danae toward the kitchen, but I follow closely so the security blanket of my presence isn’t ripped away too abruptly. I brush one finger down the side of Danae’s hand, reminding her that I’m here as she faces the waiting crowd. She grabs at my hand, clutching it as Lily announces her arrival to the eager group.

I should have been a little more specific with everyone beforehand aboutnotscaring Danae away.