Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Jenna’s arms unfold, and she places her palms on the desk near her hips. “So… you’re just giving up, then?”
“It’s not a competition,” I remind her.
“No, but you’re in love with him. And you clearly understand his motivations behind whatever this madness is that’s taken hold of the asshole. Maybe you shouldn’t give up.”
“I’m not giving up,” I say, my voice quavering. “I’m moving on.”
Jenna shakes her head. “I don’t know, Brienne. Drake doesn’t seem the type who would give up if he has feelings.”
I glare at her. “He was just an asshole a second ago. Now you think he’s worthy?”
“I’m just saying… you two were building something. He invited you to go trick-or-treating with his kids. That is a lot of trust right there.”
“You’re giving me whiplash, Jenna. Is he an asshole or not?”
“Oh, he’s an asshole for hurting your feelings. I’m just wondering if perhaps he needs some time.”
I rub at my temple, wishing away the lingering headache I’ve had since waking up this morning. I didn’t sleep well.
“He texted me late last night.”
“What?” she asks, pushing off from the desk. “What did he say?”
I pull my phone out of my purse, scroll to the text, and hold it out for her to read.
We need to talk.
“Not exactly a groveling apology,” she mutters. Her eyes lift to mine. “Are you going to respond?”
I concentrate on the near constant ache in my heart that hasn’t abated since he told me we were through. I zero in on the pain he caused, and I know that I don’t have the capacity for more. I need to figure out how to start healing, and that means distance.
It was foolish to think I could cut Jenna out of my life. But for my own safety—so my heart doesn’t get broken again—I can’t afford to take the chance with him.
“No,” I reply, turning the phone back around to me. “I’m not replying.”
With a few efficient taps, I block his number.
Then I delete his text.
CHAPTER 31
Drake
I walk into the arena with my game bag slung over my shoulder. Bypassing the players’ lounge, I head straight to the locker room so I can ditch my suit.
Normally on game day, I’d hang out in the players’ lounge for a bit, shoot the shit, but I don’t feel like it today. It’s been a fuck awful week with an extended road trip that seemed to last ten years.
Tossing my bag down on the bench at my cubby, I see a note taped to the back wall. My heart kicks into a hard gallop remembering how Brienne first left me a note to come to her hotel room. Snatching the paper, disappointment settles like a lead weight in my stomach when I see it’s not from Brienne.
Need to meet with you as soon as you come in. – Baden.
Fuck.
I jerk off my tie, toss it into my cubby, and slide out of my coat, taking the time to put it on a hanger. Then I head to Baden’s office, where I’m pretty sure I’m going to get my ass reamed for playing like hell this past week.
I’m surprised to see Gage there when I enter. He’s leaning against the wall, arms folded over his chest. His chin lifts in greeting, and he makes no effort to leave.
Just great.
I’m sure they’re about to double-team me.
“Sit,” Baden says, pointing to the chair after I close his office door. He’s been here since February, and after eight months still has absolutely no decorations in his office. Only a framed photo of him and Sophie sits on his desk.
I slump down into the chair, spreading my legs out and clasping my hands over my midsection. The pose says I’m not interested in whatever shit he’s about to hand me.
He cuts right to the chase. “What’s it going to take to pull your head out of your ass?”
I cock an eyebrow at him but hold my tongue.
“I obviously don’t need to tell you that you had a terrible road trip, and your practices in between have been lackluster. What I do need to tell you is that if you don’t turn it around tonight, Kace is going to take your position.”
“Don’t give a fuck,” I say.
Baden blinks in surprise before exchanging a look with Gage. When his eyes land back on me, he says, “Look, man… I know that shit with Crystal last week was unsettling.”
Unsettling is a pretty word for what went down, but I handled it as best I could, and I’m moving forward. That night, I talked to the boys and reiterated all the things they’d been told when Crystal and I separated and I got full custody. They saw a therapist for several months after, both together with me and then individually. While my gut wanted to hide all the ugliness and protect them from the reality of their mom’s situation, the therapist said open and honest communication was essential. They had to know their mom had a disease because they needed to know her absence was in no way their fault.