Page 92 of Home Town Advantage
I shake my head and croak out, “It’s more than a few minor flaws, and you know it. We’ve existed in this alternate bubble for months. One that doesn’t reflect the reality of our situation. Maybe I let it get too far or allowed it to go on for too long. Maybe it’s time to end things between us.”
“No,” he barks out as he stands and begins to angrily and silently pull on his boxer briefs and sweatpants.
“Is there a follow-up to theno, or has the king spoken the rule of the land?” I ask with a sharp edge in my tone.
He slides his T-shirt back over his head with a murderous look on his face as he yells, “I donotaccept your suggestion that we end our relationship. I don’t want that, and I know in my heart you don’t either. We will never be over because I know we are meant to be together. I knew it six years ago and I know it now.”
“Meant to be together? You can’t be serious.”
He straightens his shoulders and puffs out his chest. “I know for a fact that I will never love another woman the way I love you. I would marry you today if you wanted to. That’s how fucking serious I am.” He points at me. “We’re not over. We can continue this song and dance if you want, the one where we say out loud that it’s nothing but physical, but we’re both just falling deeper. I’m fucking thirty-two. I know what’s real and what’s not. We. Are. Real.”
He makes his way toward the front door but momentarily turns back to me. “I’ll see you tonight at your game. I’ll be the one wearing the jersey of the love of my life.”
He walks out the door and slams it, leaving me speechless.
TWENTY-TWO
SULLEY
Ihug Fallon Montgomery inside our locker room. “I’m so glad you changed your mind and you’re officially part of the team now.”
Fallon was initially hesitant to leave her job as a physical therapist at the hospital but eventually accepted Reagan’s offer to work with the Beavers. She started about eight weeks ago. She’s not only been our PT, helping us with various injuries and ailments, but she’s also participated in team practices. She knows the sport shockingly well. So well that when one of our assistant coaches was unexpectedly ordered to bed rest last night for the remainder of her pregnancy, Fallon was asked to step in as a temporary assistant coach. It was a natural fit. We already like her, and she knows our plays and the team inside and out.
Her biggest concern in accepting the dual role was caring for Harper once she gets out of school in a few weeks, but everyone agreed that we’re happy to have Harper around and on the road with us when needed.
Harper also now has a stepmom. Yep, the big announcement promised by Vance was a shocker. Bailey and Tanner got marriedand are expecting their first child later this year. I should say children. It’s twin girls. I’m not sure Bailey would have been able to play anyway due to her back injury, but now she’s definitely taking the Anacondas’ season off, as she’ll be in her third trimester by then.
Fallon takes a deep breath and runs her hands down her flattering white pantsuit, looking every bit the role of an assistant coach. “I hope I’m up for the challenge.” She points toward my foot. “How’s your ankle?”
I tweaked it in practice last week. She’s been on my case about ice, elevation, and anti-inflammatories.
“It’s totally fine.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Are you sure? I feel like you were limping a little when you first walked into the locker room.”
That has nothing to do with my ankle. It has everything to do with Vance driving his monster python into me for two hours this morning. I had to take an hour-long bath after he left to soothe my aching body, most of which was spent crying over the state of our relationship and his unexpected declaration of love.
I don’t know what to do. I both trust and don’t trust him. I’m not sure how to reconcile the conflicting feelings. I trust him because I’ve known him since I was born and genuinely believe the man would take a bullet for me. I don’t trust him because of his betrayal and secrecy over the circumstances.
The one thing I do know is I want him in my life. I hate myself for feeling that way, but I need him. If I’m being honest with myself, I know that I love him. I always have. I won’t, however, admit or fully give in to those feelings until the truth comes out. And I won’t wait forever. At some point, he’ll have to decide if he loves me enough to come clean about whatever happened six years ago.
I haven’t forgotten what Vance did for me to get me back on the court. I only wish he’d let me return the favor and be therefor him with whatever burden he’s carrying. I know it’s all related.
I jokingly jog in place for Fallon, showing her that my ankle is fine. “Yep, I’m sure.”
My phone rings and I point at it. “Excuse me.”
I know who it is before I look and accept the call. The woman who has called me before every game throughout my entire career. The one who has never let me down. “Hi, Momma.”
“Hey, sweet girl. Big day.”
“Yep. I’m excited. Did you get the plane tickets I sent?” Because my mother doesn’t trust emails, I had to print out her airline tickets and physically mail them to her.
“We did. Your dad is a little nervous, but the O’Sheas are coming to Philly,” she cheerily announces.
Now that I have the house and we’re in season, it was a perfect excuse for a visit. It was my holiday gift to them this year.
I grin widely. “I can’t wait. I miss you so much, Momma.”
