Page 116 of Game On
Molly, protective as ever, steps forward. “I think it’s time for you to leave, don’t you? Ella doesn’t need any distractions right now.”
Jamie looks at her, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. “I’m not here to distract her. I just want to talk.”
I sigh and glance at my friends. “Guys, it’s okay. I can handle this. Just give us a few minutes?”
Olivia bites her lip, clearly hesitating, but Molly finally nods. “We’ll be downstairs at the bar. Shout if you need us, alright?”
They reluctantly make their way out of the room, shootingwarning glances at Jamie as they pass. The door clicks shut behind them, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging between Jamie and me.
I take a deep breath and nod toward the small table near the window. “You’ve got ten minutes. Then I want you gone.”
He saunters over and sits down at one of the two chairs, leaning back with an air of casual confidence that makes my skin crawl. I remain standing, arms still crossed.
“Ella, you have every reason to hate me. I’ve made mistakes, but …” He pauses, his gaze locking onto me with an intensity that makes it hard to look away. “I never stopped caring about you.”
“You flew all the way to Florida for this same old speech?”
His eyes flicker with frustration. “No, I flew here because I realized losing you was the biggest mistake of my life. I know I can’t undo the past, but I want to make things right.”
I laugh, a sharp, bitter sound that surprises even me. “That’s not happening.”
“I’ve kept all our original summer plans,” he says, pressing on with his speech as if he hasn’t heard me. “Booked us new reservations, even. I thought—well, I hoped—we could still go on our travels. Together.”
His eyes plead with me, but I can see through the desperation. Jamie has always been good at grand gestures that mean nothing. He’s the kind of man who would buy you a present just to say he did, with no care for what you truly wanted.
“Jamie, listen to me, it’s over. Forever. No matter how many times you say you miss me. No matter how many timesyou show up somewhere unannounced and uninvited, it will always be over. All I can tell you now is that I truly wish you the best. I hope, someday, you get everything you ever wanted, and that it will be enough for you.”
His face falls, and for a moment I glimpse the boy I fell in love with—vulnerable and somewhat lost. But, I remind myself, that boy is long gone, replaced by a man I no longer want to know.
“Els …” His voice cracks, and I almost feel sorry for him. Almost, but not quite.
“Please just go,” I say. “There’s nothing for you here.”
He rises slowly, his shoulders slumped. “If that’s what you really want,” he mutters, walking towards the door. He hesitates at the threshold, looking back as if hoping I’ll change my mind. I don’t.
The door clicks shut, and so does that chapter of my life with Jamie—forever. What a weight lifted off my shoulders. No more lingering ties, no more what-ifs. Just freedom.
Our time slot for partner stunts is only an hour away, and Hudson is nowhere to be found. I haven’t seen him since we arrived. We had a team meeting, he checked into his room with Malik, and then he disappeared for the rest of the night. The other pairs are already gathering in the prep area, stretching, and going over last-minute routines.
My nerves are frayed, not just from the impending performance but also from the emotional whiplash of the last week.
I scan the crowd, my eyes darting from one familiar faceto another, but Hudson’s dark hair and steady presence are noticeably absent. Claire catches my eye, her fierce gaze softening momentarily. She strides over to me, curls bouncing with each step.
“Hey,” she says, casual and cool.
I force a smile. “Hey, Claire.”
“Looking for Fox?” she asks, her tone surprisingly gentle.
“Yeah, have you seen him?”
She shakes her head. “Not since earlier this morning. I saw him at breakfast with Malik. But don’t worry. He’ll show. He’s not the type to bail last minute, especially not on you.”
“Thank you,” I say, appreciating her support. Claire and I haven’t always seen eye to eye, but at this moment it’s like a silent truce has been called.
“And listen, I want you to know that I don’t … well, hate you or anything. In fact, I respect you. I think you’re an incredible cheerleader. You have a natural, raw talent, and it kind of pisses me off.”
Laughter bursts out of me. “Sorry?”
