Page 50 of Stetson

Without breaking eye contact, Stetson shook his head. “We’ll be okay.”

He crossed the room, folding into Levi’s outstretched arm. He pressed a kiss to Stetson’s lips, then mine before taking a step back. “I’ll see you two at home.”

Stetson and I stayed frozen in our spots until the clubhouse door shut. Stetson fidgeted with the tie on his sweats, seemingly waiting on something.

Oh, right. I was supposed to be the authority figure. Look where that had gotten me.

I offered Stetson the stool I’d been sitting on. “Sit down. You should eat.”

Instead of immediately reaching for the plate, he grabbed the bottle of Gatorade I’d set out, chugging almost half of it before coming up for air. He eyed the food, still not saying a word. I rounded the island to give him some space and nudged the plate closer. “Eat,” I told him, resting my elbows on the counter. “There’s ‘I’m Sorry’ bacon, ‘I Was an Ass’ fruit salad, and ‘Please Don’t Hate Me’ protein pancakes.”

The boy snickered, and my stomach fluttered. “How long did it take you to come up with all that?”

“Longer than I care to admit.” It wasn’t until he took the first bite that I realized I’d been holding my breath. With a long exhale, I said, “I’m sorry, Stetson. I never intended to push you so far.”

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have gone out drinking last night. I knew that before I did it.”

“Then whydidyou do it? We’re about to go into the most important games of the season. You have the whole world watching you right now.”

“Except for one of the people I want the most.” Stetson spoke into his plate, refusing to look at me

I didn’t need him to elaborate. His behavior had proved that he wanted my attention, and I’d been too wrapped up in my own shit to see it. I had tunnel vision, and the only thing I could see at the end of it was that stupid trophy. It was standing there, looking at the broken boy in front of me that I realized I’d fallen for him. I loved Stetson, and it killed me inside to know that I’d been the one to break him.

But there wassomuch that he didn’t know. It was time to tell him the truth. I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and blurted out. “I’m retiring.”

“What?” Stetson chewed on the last bite of his pancakes.

“I decided before this season even started that it would be my last.”

“Who else knows?”

“I told Levi first. Then my agent and my coach. And now you.”

Stetson’s eyes hardened. “So I’m officially the last person in your life to know.”

I blew out an exasperated breath. That type of reaction was exactly what I was trying to avoid. “It’s not like that, Stetson.”

“Then what is it like? Because from where I’m sitting, it certainly seems that way.” Stetson’s voice increased in volume with each word, and I was grateful for the early hour that ensured we’d be alone.

“That’s…” I groaned, pushed off the island, and started to pace. “This wasn’t part of my plan.Noneof this was part of my plan.”

“None of what?”

I stayed silent, trying like hell to fight the words sitting on the tip of my tongue. Stetson continued his interrogation.

“For the love of God, Barrett. Stop treating me like a child. I know I haven’t been the most responsible lately, but I am an adult, a pretty successful one. I promise I can handle whatever it is.” He stood in front of me now, halting my movement.

I swallowed hard against my suddenly dry mouth. Stetson peered at me through his lashes, and I was a goner. I had been from day one, and I kicked myself for ever thinking I stood a chance, for not telling him the first chance I got. I thought I was doing this for Levi but this man had me hooked from the first word out of his bratty little mouth. He was soft and sweet when he needed to be, but a beast on the field, challenging me in ways I’d never been tested before.

“Barrett—”

“Falling in love with you.” It came out as nothing more than a whisper, but Stetson’s breath hitched. He’d heard me loud and clear. “Falling in love with you was never part of my plan.”

“I…” he huffed, chest heaving. “Um.”

“You don’t have to say it back. You don’t have to say anything at all. Not until you’re ready.” I took a risk, letting my fingers trail over his jawline and cup his cheek. He leaned into my palm, and my heart warmed. “Right now you need to eat, and I’ll take you home so you can rest. I pushed you way too far today.”

Instead of returning to his seat, Stetson moved in closer. He tipped his face up, and I knew what he wanted. “You brushed, right?”

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