Page 7 of The Fine Line
She sends a screenshot of my photo of Rhett.
Me: I promise yours is better.
Addie: Well…I may have to agree. But they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
And that’s when another photo from her comes through. But this one’s taken from her personal camera, showing the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance while a plate of pasta, a glass of wine, and none other than Bennett James himself sits across the table in front of her.
Addison Dixon. My sweet Addie. My best—and sort-of-only—girl friend.
The Texas Storm’s former social media manager and the reason Rhett Sutton is standing before all of us today as the team’s new captain.
Because Bennett James had to go and fall in love with her so hard that he left the Storm for a team in the European Hockey League so he could follow Addie to her new career opportunity in Paris.
I can’t blame Bennett in the slightest for loving Addie, or for his decision to leave the Storm. But that choice set off a ripple effect—one that did, in fact, end with Bennett recommending his longtime best friend to take his place as captain.
And now here we are.
Me: Well, this eye isn’t beholding anything beautiful on this side of the world at the moment.
Addie: Give him a chance, Caroline.
Me: Addie, I know you mean well, but please save it. I’ve known Rhett a long time.
Addie: And in the short time I’ve known him, he’s shown me he’s someone worth cheering for.
Me: I assure you, he is not lacking in screaming fans by any means.
Addie: That doesn’t mean he couldn’t benefit from a little faith from you too.
My steps slow as I reach the end of the hallway, eyes still locked on my phone. I twist my lips to the side, hesitating. When I don’t reply for a few beats, another message lights up the screen.
Addie: Any word on the TV analyst role?
Me: Headed into a meeting about it now.
Addie: Do you think it’s THE meeting?
Me: Well, I don’t want to be too presumptuous…
Addie: Care, you’re always presumptuous.
Me: Or too overly confident…
Addie: You’re the most confident person I know. It’s my favorite thing about you.
Addie: You’ve got this. You always do.
A grin pulls at my lips, but then the sound of a voice stops me cold.
“I’m sorry, Bear. I’m trying.”
I freeze.
I know that voice anywhere.
And just like that, the smile slips away.
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