Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
I smash my lips together to stop myself from blurting out the truth. “Why do you think it was her heart that got broken?”
“From everything she told Anne, she cared a lot for this guy.”
“She still could have been the one who pulled the plug and walked away.” If I’m smart, I’ll shut down this conversation before it can spiral any further out of control.
His expression turns thoughtful. “Whatever happened, I think there were a lot of feelings involved.” His gaze slices to mine before searching it. “You know what I mean?”
I’m not sure.
Maybe?
If I’d thought moving on from Poppy would be easy, I was wrong. She’s always there in the back of my head.
I’ve spent more time than I’m comfortable admitting with my phone in hand, trying to screw up the courage to reach out.
But how can I do that when she’s the one who called it quits?
Plus, all the obstacles that were standing in our way are still there. They haven’t magically disappeared.
So…there doesn’t seem to be much point calling or texting.
Except to twist the knife a little deeper.
Here’s a little bit of irony I try not to dwell on—over the years, there have been countless women who have issued ultimatums. When they didn’t get what they wanted, they walked away. Their disappearance from my life never bothered me. Not really. There might have been a momentary flicker of regret, but after a few days, it disappeared, and I moved on.
That hasn’t been the case this time.
“I’m sure she’ll get over him,” I say gruffly. Forcing out those words is painful. I don’t want her getting over me, and I sure as shit don’t know when I’ll be able to do the same.
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her like this.”
“It’ll just take time.”
“I suppose that’s possible. From everything she told Anne, the situation was complicated.”
When I remain silent, he continues, “Tell me when life isn’t complicated.”
Unable to do so, I grunt in agreement.
Whether he’s meant it or not, the wheels in my head have begun to turn. It’s the last thing I need. Or want. If Coach knew I was the guy his daughter was seeing, he’d be fucking furious.
And probably feel betrayed.
I certainly can’t blame him for that.
Over the years, Coach has been good to my family. He took me under his wing when I came into his program as a player, and even when I dropped out of college, he made sure to stay in touch. I could always count on his phone calls.
When Hunter signed with Claremont, Coach made sure he was awarded a full ride to the university. There’s no way we could have afforded a college education if not for that. And now, my brother is playing in the pros.
So…I owe this guy big time.
The last thing I want to do is hurt him or his family.
That’s not how you repay someone who’s always been there for you.
When a heavy hand lands on my shoulder, I snap back to the conversation. “I need to head back to the office and make a few calls. I should be gone for about twenty minutes or so. Think you can handle everything out here?”
“Yeah, sure. No worries.”
He smiles. “I know there aren’t any. Like I said before, I’m glad you’re part of the program.”
“Me, too,” I say honestly.
“You know, I don’t dole out a lot of unsolicited advice, but I’m going to give you my two cents, since you’re more like a son to me.”
“Shoot.” I force down the thick lump that has settled in the middle of my throat. Over the years, Derek has become important in my life. Someone I can go to for advice. Pleasure bursts inside me, knowing that the feelings are reciprocated.
“Nothing about these past seven years has been easy. You took on more responsibility than any twenty-year-old kid should’ve had to.” When I open my mouth to protest, he shakes his head and cuts me off. “I realize there wasn’t a choice in the matter, but you still did it. For years, you put your brother first and didn’t think about yourself. Not many people would have been willing to make those tough decisions. The fact that Hunter is living out his dreams is a direct result of your sacrifices.” He searches my eyes. “You get that, right?”
I jerk my head into a nod as my chest constricts.
“Now that your brother is gone, it’s time for you to focus on yourself for a change and figure out what makes you happy. I’d like to think this job is a good start.”
I clear my throat and try to keep all the emotion fighting to break free in check. “It has been.”
“I’m glad to hear that. If I have my way, you’ll take over this program when I retire.”
I’ve been so overwhelmed with school and everything that goes along with learning the ropes of a new position that I haven’t given much thought to where this job could lead in the future. I’m just trying to take life one day at a time.