Page 79 of How to Play the Player

“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. Hell, I wouldn’t forgive me. And I’m not asking you to. But I need you to know how sorry I am—for doubting you, for not fighting for us. I’d take it all back if I could. I’d like to help you undo all the damage Bethany has done.” His offer is something I don’t expect.

“You’d do that?”

“I put you through too much shit to let you tackle this on your own. I want to keep making things right between us. And maybe in time…we can talk about us. If you’re willing.”

I consider his words, weighing them against the year of pain between us. The lengths he went to, to get to this very moment. At first, I’m grateful for him. But the fear that he’d drop me like he did again, the doubt that he’d take my side no matter what creeps back in again. How can I trust him? Sure, he’s been helping and still wants to. But as much as I still hold him in my heart, I don’t think I can risk another year of him hurting me as much as he did in the first place.

“I…I appreciate your apology and your wanting to make things right. And I’m especially grateful for your help today. In time, I’d like to talk about us. But what happened between us broke something in me. I can’t just dive back in like nothing happened.”

He pauses. Hurt and understanding cloud his expression as he takes both my hands in his. “I understand. I have no excuse.And I understand your hesitation about me. About us. I don’t blame you. I want you to have time to think things through.”

As I drive away, watching his figure grow smaller in my rearview mirror, I know I’m at a crossroads. The path forward isn’t clear yet, but for the first time in a year, I’m willing to consider there might be one.

Whatever comes next, at least now we both know the truth.

Chapter Twenty-Five

One week later

Nathan

One week has passed since Bethany’s arrest. A week since the Dallas police led her away, her confession recorded and damning. A week since Quinn looked at me with those cautious eyes that held both gratitude and hesitation. And more importantly, today is the day our bet officially ends. Since I last saw her, I decided to fulfill my end of it, staying celibate and out of view for the press. What started as a challenge has ended in truth, accountability, and vindication.

Our wager is over now, but something far more important hangs in the balance. Quinn has kept her distance this past week. I’m sure she did so to process everything that has happened, what I’d offered to her. And I’ve responded in kind by respecting her need for space, even as every cell in my body screams to close the distance between us.

I check my watch again, pacing the length of my office. Five-thirty. Too early to leave without raising eyebrows. But my mind hasn’t been here all week.

“You’ve checked that thing at least ten times in the last hour,” Jake observes from my doorway, amusement mixing with concern on his face. “Everything all right?”

“Fine,” I say. “Just…anxious to get started on something.”

Jake, with Jonathan in tow, closes my office door behind him.

“This wouldn’t happen to be about Quinn, would it?” Jonathan says, his voice low.

I stop pacing, meeting my brother’s gaze directly. “Yes.”

“You’re finally making your move.” It’s not a question from Jake.

“About damn time,” Jonathan exclaims.

Pulling my hands from my pockets, I run them through my hair. “I’ve spent the week managing press about Bethany’s arrest, but that’s just damage control for Knight Industries, not her. It’s not enough.”

“Not enough to make up for what you put her through,” Jonathan finishes for me, his tone softening the harsh reality of his words.

“No,” I agree, the familiar weight of regret settling on my shoulders. “Not even close. So tonight has to be perfect.”

“You’re setting up for something big, aren’t you?” Jake speculates. My mysterious errands during lunch all week and calls I’ve been taking in private don’t make it that hard to figure out.

I nod. “What I did to her was public, humiliating. So what better way to do this apology right than do the thing I told her I’d do if I’d lost this bet?”

Jake whistles low. “Bold move. You sure about this?”

Jonathan perks up. “Bet? What bet?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything,” I say without hesitation.

“I’ll explain later,” Jake assures his business partner. “All you need to know is that your little brother is about to own his shit.”

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