Chapter Text
The sound of FaceTime connecting flowed out of the laptop speakers as Maya anxiously waited for the video to load. When it finally did, Lucas Friar’s face became the new background.
“Hi, babe.” Maya grinned, settling herself against the the mountain of pillows on her bed.
“Hey,” his smile grew a thousand times its size at the sight of his girlfriend. “Sorry I couldn't call earlier, practice ran late.”
She shrugs. “Eh, I guess that's the price I pay for dating UT’s starting pitcher.”
“I really am sorry-”
“Lucas, it's fine. I had a ton of work for my student teaching anyway.”
He sighed heavily and frowned. “You're upset.”
“I'm really fine, Luke, I promise.” She replied shortly. His eyes lit up suddenly and Maya could see him hop out of his desk chair and start rooting around his room off screen. “What in the world are you- you got it?”
“Yeah! Maya, it's gorgeous.” He replies, displaying the object in question.
It was a small eighteen by twenty-four canvas with a stunning watercolor painting of Lucas’ horse, River. He’d had the horse since he was ten. When they graduated, Lucas brought Maya down to Texas to meet his whole extended family, including River, who took quite the shining to his girlfriend. Since then, the couple had been to visit him every summer.
“Do you like it?” She beamed.
He nodded. “If I didn't would I be this excited?”
Maya blushed.
“He misses you by the way,” Lucas said softly, running his (hopefully clean) fingers along the pattern of the brush strokes. “Always looks around for you when I go to feed him. You must miss him a lot.”
Maya cleared her throat, unable to look directly at the camera. “Actually… I just miss you.”
Lucas falters. “I miss you too, babe. But hey, one more month and I'll be free.”
“Yeah, for what, two weeks? Then it's back to summer practice in Austin.” She swipes at a tear before it can escape down her cheek. “I feel like I've spent more time with you via technology than in person, and we've been together for four years.”
They sit in an awkward silence and maya watches her boyfriends face muddle in what she can only describe as an inner debate.
“You know what,” he sighs. “I can't do this anymore.”
“What?” Maya whispers, lips quivering.
Lucas sets the painting down. “I wanted to keep this a secret, to surprise you.”
She gives him an incredulous look. “What are you talking about?”
“I'm not coming back to Austin next year.” He begins. “And I didn't just come from practice, I was in a meeting.”
Still confused, Maya blinks. “With- with who? What's going on?”
A grin spreads across Lucas’ face. He grabs his laptop and moves it closer to his face. “I've been offered to start training with the Mets this summer.”
Maya's jaw drops. He had attended some tryouts the previous summer but, as far as she was convened, he didn't hear much back when the fall semester began. She figured nothing was to come of it.
“You're joking.” She breathed. “This isn't fucking funny.”
He raises his right hand. “Scouts honor. It's all settled. I'll train this summer and sit during the games.”
“That's so exciting, but what about school? You're about to start that internship at the breeding ranch.”
He shook his head. “That was just a diversion. I'm transferring to Cornell to finish my degree. But first, I'm moving in with my favorite girl in the world.”
“Oh, my GOSH! LUKE! This is amazing!” Maya cries, bouncing around on the bed like a maniac. She pounds on the wall next to her. “RILEY! Lucas is moving back!”
“I know!” Riley's muffled voice comes from next door.
“Isn't that amazing- wait, you know?” Maya looks back at Lucas. “She knows?
“It was going to be part of the surprise, I had to tell her.” Lucas tries saving himself.
“You son of a bitch,” she sneers. “You are in so much trouble when you get back.”
“I know, I'm sorry.” No he's not.
She smiles sweetly. “But right now I want to hear all about this little living together scenario you've planned. Actually I might not have to beat your ass for this because Shawn will probably do it first!”
“Oh boy…”