Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
The feelings he expressed for me when we were lying in bed together later were everything I've been carrying around in my heart but have been too afraid to give voice to.
Every day we’ve spent together, I’ve felt myself growing closer to Ben. Falling harder for him. Nobody has ever come close to making me feel the things he makes me feel. He’s captured my heart and imagination in ways I honestly thought nobody ever would. And knowing that I’m not alone in those feelings has filled me with a level of joy I always thought was unattainable.
There is a dark shadow that’s partially obscuring the rainbow and sunshine filling my mind, though. And that’s knowing he is going to ask the team for a trade. I fear that if Ben’s wish is granted and he's sent off to another city, what we’ve started to build together will crumble to dust. That the love we share will melt away like snow in the California sun. Long-distance relationships rarely survive, and I fear that ours will be just another statistic. That we'll both throw ourselves into our work to cope and that we'll shut down those feelings simply to protect ourselves from the hurt of not having each other nearby.
What I hate most is that this is all happening because of my brother. His insecurity about Ben taking his spot on the team and his incessant need to control me and every facet of my life have combined to potentially ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to me. He is quite literally on a mission to ruin my life. Not that I’m surprised. He’s been this way ever since our parents died. He thinks he has to be my parent and refuses to acknowledge that I’m a grown woman who can make my own decisions. That I’m free to love and be with whoever I want.
This is nothing new. This is a battle we’ve been fighting for years. Up until now, I’ve been able to ignore the situation by ignoring him. He’s the reason we have no relationship. He’s the reason we don't spend holidays together, why I don't acknowledge his birthday, his career achievements, or anything at all. I resent him. Now that he’s potentially destroying the best thing that’s ever happened to me, it’s time I do something about it. Ignoring it isn’t going to cut it this time. No, I’m going to have to bring the fight to him, and then bring this fight to an end once and for all.
The door to the small media room I’m using as a makeshift office opens, and Eric steps in. He’s still in sweats and a hoodie, not yet dressed for practice.
“Coach said you wanted to see me,” he says.
“Right on time,” I say.
“Is it my turn?”
“Your turn for what?”
“For a piece about me,” he says. “You’ve written pieces about everybody else on this team. You even wrote a piece about that old guy who sells t-shirts who’s been here forever, and yet, you’ve never written anything about me. Your brother.”
“I just go where the stories take me. Nothing personal,” I reply. “But I’m not here to interview you. It’s time we talk.”
His lips compress into a tight slash across his face, and his eyes narrow. “I don’t think we’ve got anything to talk about, sis.”
“We do.”
“Fine. Then talk,” he growls. “What do you want?”
“I want to know why you're so intent on ruining the best thing that's ever happened to me. I want to know why you're trying to sabotage my relationship with Ben.”
“For one thing, I can’t believe you’re fucking that guy,” he sneers. “He’s just using you, Bails. He’s going to break your heart. And I’m not going to sit back and let that happen.”
“It’s not for you to say who I can and can’t date. It’s not for you to worry about who breaks my heart or who doesn’t. Those are things I have to learn for myself.”
“Not while I’m around.”
Anger, white-hot, flashes through me and it’s all I can do to keep from lunging across the table and smacking my brother. The only thing that keeps me in my seat is knowing my purpose here. Knowing that I’ve got a broader strategy in play.
“Seriously, who do you think you are, Eric? Why do you think you get to meddle in my life without consequences?”
“Because I promised Mom and Dad, I would always look out for you.”
“You’re not looking out for me. You’re trying to control me.”
“Because I know what’s best for you, Bails.”
My eyes widen, and I gape at him for a moment. “The balls on you. Do you know what a presumptuous prick you are?”
“You can call me names, and you can be angry with me. But you’re my little sister, and I’m always going to do what’s best for you,” he replies. “And trust me when I say that piece of shit Ben Givens is not what’s best for you.”