Page 138 of Just Let Go

The shot cut away to a man with a rugged, tan face and shining eyes. The nameBrian Murphyappeared at the bottom of the screen. “Grady’s been a surprise, that’s for sure. We didn’t expect to see half of what he’s showing us.”

The reporter pulled the microphone back. “Now, in the past, you’ve commented on Benson’s rebellious attitude. Has that been a problem since he arrived here in Colorado?”

The coach laughed. “You know Grady and I have had our differences, but the first thing he said when he rolled back into town was ‘I’m here to work, Coach.’ And he’s proven that to be true. He’s made some vast improvements to his form, and yes, he’s finally listening to me.” Another laugh. “I’d say Grady Benson is a changed man. I’m hopeful we’re gonna see him on our team this year.”

Quinn’s eyes had gone cloudy as the camera cut away to more footage of him skiing. He was doing well. The clean break from Harbor Pointe—from her—it was what he needed.

Never mind what it had done to her heart.

She was a mess. She’d come home from work, put on her pajamas, and eaten leftover frozen pizza standing up in the kitchen. Now, with her hair in a messy bun on top of her head, the only thing she wanted to do was crawl into bed and wish away the last month.

If she’d never met him in the first place, she’d be fine right now.

And yet, she couldn’t imagine her world if she’d never met him. He made her want to live outside the box she’d put herself in.

Nobody else had ever done that for her before.

The knock on the door elicited a groan. This would be somewell-meaning person who loved her, determined to get her out of bed and out of her misery. But she was quite comfortable wearing her misery like a cloak. It was all she wanted to do.

Another knock. “Okay, I’m coming.” She hoped her groan was audible. She reached the door and pulled it open. “Dad.”

He wore a stony expression. “You have a minute?”

“Of course.” While she and her dad were close, he didn’t make a habit of stopping over. If anything, he usually called and asked her to come by the house. “Is something wrong? Is everyone okay—Judge? Beverly? Calvin?”

He held up a hand. “Everyone’s fine, hon.” He gave her a once-over. “Everyone except maybe you?”

She plopped down on the sofa. “I’m fine, Dad. Did Carly send you over here?”

“No, but she did tell me you haven’t been over to see Jaden at all this week.”

“I’ve been busy.”

Dad nodded, then sat gingerly on the edge of her armchair. “You don’t look so hot, Q.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“And your apartment is a mess.”

“Did you just come here to insult me?” She pulled an afghan over her lap.

“I came to check on you.” He scooted back in the chair and glanced up at the muted television. “How’s he doing?”

“Who?”

“Quinn, please.”

She shrugged. “I don’t keep tabs on him.”

His expression told her he wasn’t buying it. “You make a habit of watching SportsCenter?”

She picked up the remote and clicked the television off.

“He told me what happened, you know.”

She flicked her thumbnail against the edge of the remote, avoiding his eyes. “He did?”

Dad folded his hands in his lap. “Are you ever going to forgive him?”

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