Page 82 of Hello Quarterback

While Fletcher scanned his phone for the message, my own device started ringing again, and Ford addressed me for the first time. “Go get it.”

I shook my head. “They can wait.”

But he stared me down, voice coming out clipped. “Answer your phone, Mia.”

Fletcher quietly excused himself to call the team doctor, but Ford didn’t act like he’d heard, focusing on me with those empty eyes.

“But, Ford, I—I want to be here for you.”

“Handle your business,” he gritted out. “I don’t need or want you here.”

Wow. I knew he was having a hard time, but that was uncalled for. “Ford...” I began, but he cut me off.

“This was supposed to be fake!” His voice rose, slicing through me. “It wasn’t supposed to be real. I wasn’t supposed to be hurt while playing around withyouagainst my better judgement. I shouldn’t have put you over my work, just like you shouldn’t be putting me first now. So go, Mia. This was a mistake. Just go.”

46

MIA

Ford’s wordsto me were like a door slammed in my face.

A message received loud and clear.

Our love was agame. A distraction from more important things.

My eyes were stinging as I left the kitchen to open my bag and answer my phone. I could hear Fletcher speaking quietly to Ford, but couldn’t process it with the ache in my heart. Nor with the surprise at seeing Vanover’s name on my screen.

He knew not to contact me unless there was an emergency. Part of me was relieved to have something else to think about other than Ford regretting everything between us.

“Hello?” I said. I got into the room where we stayed, the bed already made, and sat down on its soft surface.

“Mia, have you checked your email?”

“No, I’ve been...” Worried. Scared. Rejected? “Busy,” I finished lamely.

“I’ve been trying to call you, but it went right to voicemail.”

“I must not have had a signal.” I shifted the phone to my other ear. “Vanover, what’s going on?”

“The Andersen Avenue vote was moved to tomorrow morning, first thing. I sent the calendar change two hours ago, but you haven’t replied. You need to start preparing.”

My eyebrows drew together as I paced the small room. Suddenly, it felt more confining than cozy. “I didn’t approve that. We weren’t supposed to meet for anothertwo weeks.”

“Unfortunately, Thomas cleared it with the board,” Vanover said. “I could reach out to everyone’s assistants to reschedule but?—”

“That would make us look unprepared and hurt their confidence in me as a leader.” I rubbed at my temple with my free hand. “Thank you for letting me know.” Now I needed to figure out how to get back home to prepare. But Ford’s injury...

“Zeke should be arriving at the Madigan Ranch soon to collect you,” Vanover said. “I figured you would need all the time you could get and Ford might want to stay.”

Just the sound of his name broke my heart. “You’re a lifesaver, Vanover,” I finally said. “Thank you.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” he replied. “I’ll be in the office when you get here and have food and drinks ready at your desk.”

“See you soon,” I replied, hanging up my phone. Part of me wanted to stay here with Ford, to help. But he’d sent his message—through silence and through his stern words. I was to take care of my business.

I roughly shoved my phone back in my fanny pack and began returning my things to my suitcase.

I was midway through zipping it up when I heard the doorbell. I went to the window, seeing the sleek black car, dust blurring the black paint. Then, I heard Bryce’s voice. “I didn’t know the doorbell still worked.”

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