Page 151 of For the Boys
“I know what he did, Brent,” she said quickly, raising her hand to cut him off. “I don’t need you to remind me. The fact of the matter is that you weren’t ever supposed to find out, and when you did and I asked you to leave it alone, that nothing happened and I was fine, you ignored me and took it upon yourself to exact vengeance. I’m not some damsel in distress that needs to be rescued. You punched your teammate, Brent. Over something that happened months ago. I can’t have you fucking up your career for me. From now on, verbal sparring only.”
“But look at things from my perspective for a minute, Berk,” he said, shifting his body in the driver’s seat slightly so he was facing her. “I want to take care of you. And part of me doing that is hurting people who hurt you. It’s just how I’m wired. I can’t—” he stopped, swallowing hard. “I can’t lose you. Ineedyou, Berk. I’ll always need you.”
“Brent…” Berkley said, attempting to cut him off again.
He waved a hand, dismissing her protestation. “What I’m saying is that I’m hoping for a lifetime with you. The overprotectiveness I can work on. But we both know that’s not the only thing about me that bothers you.” She knew where this was headed, and she didn’t like it. But it needed to be said, and she knew it. Brent took a deep breath and continued. “Babe, the money isn’t going anywhere. Even if I stop playing tomorrow, I’ll still have FLEX. So I guess I’m hoping that this is something you can get used to, because it’s not something that’s just magically going to disappear.”
Berkley thought about it, mind spinning. The last two weeks without Brent had been an absolute nightmare, and she didn’t ever want to experience it again. If all he was asking of her was that she try, she supposed it was a small price to pay to keep the man of her dreams.
What was it Lexie had said about compromise? This was Berkley’s moment, her chance to prove to herself and everyone else that she was capable of making concessions. That she could bend.
“I can try,” she said.
“That’s all I’m asking. But I’d really like to know why my showering you with gifts bothers you so much.”
“I can take care of myself,” she said with a shrug.
Brent snorted, and threw his hands in the air. “Of course that’s what it all comes down to, isn’t it?”
“On the condition that you run major purchases in my honor by me first, I promise to try to be more…relaxed about money.”
“I think I can do that. Within reason, of course.”
Berkley rolled her eyes, understanding his meaning. “You know I hate surprises.”
Brent smiled. “I know, but there are certain instances where surprises are warranted.”
“Fair enough.”
“I agree to those terms,” he said and sighed. “And all I’m asking from you is that you try to trust me. I know it’s not going to happen overnight, but I can’t do this with you if you’re going to pull more crazy shit like go through my phone.”
“I do trust you,” she said. “Obviously being cheated on is a sore spot for me, but you’ve shown me time and time again that you’re not that kind of guy, and I believe you. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
“It just killed me that you were so unhappy,” Brent said quietly. “If you’re worried about something, just ask me.”
“I was happy,” she said. “For the most part.”
“We need to work on our communication a bit, I think,” he said.
“Maybe just a little. Luckily, we’ve got time.”
“That we do. Anything else you wanted to add?”
“Just one more thing,”
“Yes?”
“Kiss me.”
Brent’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Happily.”
She crawled over the console and into his lap, the steering wheel digging into her lower back as she pressed her lips to his. Over and over, they came together and pulled apart, fingers clutching clothing, running across skin, each one taking in every tiny detail of the face of the one they loved.
“I missed you,” Berkley said.
“God, you have no idea.”
“Let’s never do that again, okay?”
