Page 42 of Pucking Fate

Preston doesn’t say anything right away, he just holds me, letting me cry. When my sobs finally start to quiet, he pulls back and looks down at me, his expression soft and understanding.

“I wish I could fix it all or give you some wise brotherly advice, but I don’t have any in this situation,” he says. “You’re the only one who can make this decision. I know you’ll do what’s best for you and Finley. You always do.”

I nod, wiping my eyes. He’s right. I will always do what’s right for Finley. But that doesn’t make this any easier.

The truth is, I’m devastated. I already miss Christian being mine for a few hours a night. I still have feelings for him. Maybe I always will. All I know is that it’s time for me to finally move on once and for all.

Preston sighs and rubs the back of his neck, clearly thinking about what to say next. “Look, I’m not sure what else I can say to help, but I will say this—everything happens for a reason. I never expected to meet the love of my life in a rival team’s parking lot asking for a selfie that turned into a kiss that went viral. Things were complicated at first with Elle. She wasnervous about trusting me after having her heart broken, and I didn’t see how I could put a relationship before my family and career. But it all worked out in the end.”

“You and Elle…that was fate,” I tell him rather than point out that he did have to give up his family, Finley and me, to be with her.

“It was definitely fate,” he agrees with a smile. “And one day, I know you’ll find that sort of love, too. Maybe it’s Christian or maybe it’s someone else. When it’s right, you’ll know because you won’t be able to live without them.”

“I’ve lived without Christian for nearly six years, so he may not be the one for me.”

“I’m not sure if that’s entirely true,” Preston remarks.

“What do you mean? I didn’t even speak to him again until a few weeks ago.”

“True, but you’ve kept a little piece of him close all these years…”

Finley.

At the reminder of our son, I smile, feeling a little lighter. “Thanks, Preston,” I say just before I hear the soft knock on the door.

My brother and I both freeze for a second before Finley comes running through the house yelling, “Christian’s here!”

I guess I was wrong about one thing—he’s here just as early as usual.

“I need to shower and pull myself together. Do you mind…?” I ask Preston as I push my chair back to get to my feet.

“I’ll get the door. Take as much time as you need,” he says with a sad smile.

18

Christian

The sun hangs low in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard as I make my way into the hotel’s gym. The tension of my argument with Maya days ago is still hanging over me.

At least Preston and Elle hung around for a few days to keep the awkwardness to a minimum.

Still, there was a noticeable strain between me and Maya. And so far, she hasn’t changed her mind again about me staying at bedtime.

God, I miss kissing her and just having a few minutes to spend alone with her after sharing the day together with our son.

I can’t shake the feeling that I blew my opportunity for a second chance with Maya. And the worst part is, I’m not entirely sure what I did wrong.

Even though Preston and Elle obviously picked up on the weird vibe between me and Maya, and probably heard ourargument the other night, Preston didn’t once threaten to kick my ass. No, he and Elle just gave me looks full of pity, as if they felt bad for me.

Since I need to talk to someone and it definitely won’t be Preston about this particular situation, I call up Luke.

“Hey, man. You back in town?” he answers.

“Not yet.”

“What the hell, Riley? You’ve been gone all summer.”

“I know. I’m still here in Bethesda.”

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