Page 32 of Break Point
I don’t have time to process how intense this situation is, or how I feel about Henry’s warm breath brushing against my face.
He’s shoving people out of the way until we reach the car. Tony grabs my stuff, and I step inside, followed by Henry, who shuts the door so fast that he almost crushes someone’s camera.
“Thanks,” I say, panting.
“Of course.” He removes his hat to run a hand through his wavy hair and puts it back on. “That was intense.”
Tony speeds away, fleeing the scary scene.
It’s so bizarre that the media would know where I was training. They don’t usually follow me around wherever I go. Jasper had to have been the one to tip them off. But I don’t have time to think about that right now.
There’s something I need to fix.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” I grumble, glancing down at my hands resting on my lap before meeting Henry’s gaze. “I’ve been so stressed about everything that’s happened lately. There have been too many changes too fast, and the uncertainty of it all has me on edge. I know I overreacted.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” he replies quickly. “I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did either. I think it’s time for us to sit down and talk.”
Henry’s gaze locks onto mine. I nod a few times, desperately, because I know this is exactly what I’ve wanted and needed for years. To sit down andtalkto him.
“I would like that,” I say with a stupid smile.
“Bells,” he whispers, finally offering me a smile with my name on it. “I really missed you. I hope you know that.”
Ididn’tknow that. For years, all I could think about was how he didn’t care about me, how our friendship had meant nothing to him. I couldn’t understand how he could have so easily forgotten about me. I still don’t because I knew our friendship was real. I could feel it. So, hearing him say that gives me hope, but it also worries me. What the hell happened then?
Can I trust him? I know a part of me wants to—needs—to trust him. Needs him and his friendship back. But I’m not ready to tell him I missed him too. So badly. I’m afraid to see what’s behind that door if I dare to open it.
I part my lips to reply, to say something. Anything. But I still don’t know what to say. I glance away, retreating. Henry doesn’t need me to say it. He knows I’ve missed him. He knows my face too well for me to hide that obvious truth from his knowledge.
CHAPTER 10
ADVANTAGE, FREEMAN
WE STEP INSIDE my apartment,and it smells delicious. That only means one thing …
“¡Ay, Dios mío!”?1 Carmen exclaims, setting a wooden ladle aside to wipe her hands on her apron. “¡Henry!”
Henry darts toward her with a grin and pulls her into a hug.
“You’re so big. It’s been … how many years?”
“Almost five?” he replies, gently breaking off the embrace.
“I’m so glad you’re back,mijo.”?2 She gives Henry one of her affectionate cheek pinches. “Mr. Joe told me you’ll be staying here for a while.”
“That is correct,” he replies, offering her another genuine smile.
“I hope you’re both hungry because I made eggs, black beans, and tortillas.” She turns back toward the kitchen. “Please sit. I’ll be right there with you.”
“What about me?” I tease, feeling a little jealous as I drop my bag near the entrance and head to the kitchen. I place my tumbler on the marble counter and lean against itwith a grin.
“Ay, mija es que a ti te veo diario.Ya estás muy vista,”?3 she says, her laughter as infectious as always.
Carmen is the closest thing I have to what I imagine a mother should be like. She feeds me, cares about me, asks me questions, scolds me when I leave a mess after she’s already cleaned up, laughs when I laugh, and cries when I cry.
She congratulated me the night after my US Open final. She was screaming with joy but didn’t miss the chance to lecture me about the little scene I made on national television.
“Vas a ver!”?4 I say, laughing too.
