Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
The sportscasters ask the usual questions about the game and how he feels going into the playoffs, especially since it’s been a tumultuous season.
“Being in a relationship with the coach’s daughter must put pressure on your game,” one reporter says.
“That’s not a question,” Flip bites out, his frustration obvious.
“There are some rumors floating around about your past relationships. Would you like to debunk them?” another tosses out.
Flip sighs and runs a hand through his wet hair. “Haven’t I done that enough this season? This has nothing to do with the game.”
“Does your girlfriend know about your ex-wife?” another reporter asks.
It feels as if ice has been injected into my veins. Ex-wife? I laugh shrilly at the preposterousness. “Oh, come on, this is next-level ridiculous.” My stomach bottoms out as the color drains from Flip’s face. “That’s impossible.” I glance at my friends, hoping to see my disbelief reflected at me.
“This is bullshit,” Rix says with certainty. “I would know if my brother had been married.”
I glom onto Rix’s conviction and try to make it my own.
Hemi, Hammer, Essie, and Shilpa all look as shocked as I feel and Rix sounds, but it’s Dred’s face I lock on to.
Because she doesn’t look surprised at all.
“No comment,” Flip grinds out.
Dred’s eyes slide closed, and she sighs, despondently.
“Dred?” I croak.
All eyes move to her.
“You should let him explain,” she says softly.
“So it’s true?” Flip was married. He fell in love, committed himself to someone, and ended it. Why? Who? When? Why is Dred the only person who knows?
“That’s not possible.” Rix’s disbelief mirrors my own.
“Was it you?” I feel sick.
“No, it was long before me. It’s not my story to tell,” Dred replies.
Dred has always been Flip’s strongest ally. His best friend. The one person he trusts more than anyone else.
More than me.
Flip was married and divorced, and he never shared it with me. Even he doesn’t believe in lasting love. It’s devastating in a way I can’t quite process to learn this about him in such a public way. To find out this secret along with everyone else.
He was my first.
I’m supposed to be his last.
Why wouldn’t he tell me?
Why did he give his heart to someone else and take it back?
Does this mean he can never give me his?
CHAPTER 48
FLIP
Ifeel ill. And like my life just blew the fuck up. I’m crushed under the weight of everything I should have said and done but didn’t.
Coach Forrest-Hammer handles the post-game team talk, probably to keep Vander Zee from murdering me. It’s exceedingly brief and chilly. And then she leaves the room.
“Kind of a big secret to keep from the people who care about you.” Tristan’s hurt is written in the slant of his brow. “Does Rix even know?” He holds up a hand when I open my mouth. “You know what, don’t tell me. I’ll find that out for myself when I see her.”
I don’t argue. What can I say? Rix will be hurt. Tristan will be relieved that I didn’t make her keep the secret from him. No one really wins.
And Tally. What must she think now? How does she feel? Betrayed? Angry? Confused? Hurt? Will she break up with me over this? I wouldn’t blame her, even though it’s the very last thing I want.
I wait until my teammates finish showering before I go in. I don’t want to be around me, so why would anyone else?
Connor stops in front of me, the last to leave. “You must have had a good reason to keep this from everyone.”
“Dred is the only person who knew. Please don’t hold it against her.” I won’t be able to live with myself if I come between my best friend and her husband.
“I wouldn’t do that to my wife. Her loyalty is one of the most miraculous things about her, and there are many, considering everything she’s been through.”
I lift my gaze. “She’s a rare and precious gem.”
“Very.” He nods and cants his head, his serious expression making his features sharp. “I didn’t understand it before.”
“Understand what?”
“Why my wife is so abjectly loyal to you, but I do now. Someone broke you.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Whatever this was, be honest with Tally about it. She deserves it, especially from you.”
He leaves, and I shower and change.
I expect to find Vander Zee outside the locker room, waiting to shred me, but it’s Tally leaning against the wall, eyes red.
“Kitten.” I reach for her.
“Don’t.” She holds up a hand. “No pet names and no physical contact. We’re not having this discussion here. Take me home and explain it there.”
She’s willing to talk, that’s something. “Your place or mine?”
She sighs. “Fee’s home tonight, so yours.”
“Okay.” We’re silent on the walk to the parking garage. All my words are trapped in my throat. I’m terrified I’m about to lose her. Is that what I deserve? To finally have someone I can see a future with again, only to have it disappear.