Tackling Love - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,33

and Colt’s voice fills my living room.

“It was one of those games. I let my team down. I let the fans down, but it was one game. The fans know I’m dedicated to them and to my team. I won’t play like this again.” Colt nods, does a wave, and is led away by an older, shorter man.

I pick up my phone and stare at it, trying to decide what to do. Colt hasn’t rung, texted, or even dropped by to see me. The school phoned me a few days ago to ask if I’d seen him as he’d missed appointments with Blaise—that’s when doubt filled my mind as to his true feelings for me. Reluctantly, I put the phone down. If Colt doesn’t want to see me, I shouldn’t push it.

My phone rings, and I jump, the display reads ‘Dad.’ I sigh, pick up the phone, and hit answer.

“Hey, Dad,” I infuse my voice with fake happiness.

“Hey, sweetheart! How are things?”

“Things are good, Dad.”

“Now, tell the truth.”

A single tear slides down my cheek, and my voice becomes husky. “It looks like the school isn’t going to take me back. The board hasn’t made a definitive decision, but it doesn’t look good. And Colt? Well, Colt is…” Words fail me, and a sob tears through me.

“Oh, princess, I’m so sorry. Come to England, and we can travel together until you sort yourself out.”

“He’s upset with me, Dad, and I don’t know how to fix it,” I say as I cry and sniffle into the phone.

“If he cares for you, as you care for him, then maybe some time apart will be good for you both? It’ll give him some perspective. And if it doesn’t? Well, then, princess, he’s not worth your tears.”

I nod, then realize he can’t see me. “Okay, Dad. Give me three weeks. I need to find someone to house sit, and the board should have decided by then.”

“Perfect! I’ll get you to fly to Glasgow, and we can explore Scotland together.”

I wipe my tears away with the sleeve of my shirt. “Sounds good, Dad.”

“Oh, and I am paying. No arguments. Send me through the details, and I’ll book you a ticket…” Dad pauses, and I’m about to speak when he says in a softer fatherly tone, “I am so sorry, princess. I know you cared for Colt. Maybe even loved him. You sounded the happiest I’d heard you in a long time.”

More tears flow down my cheeks, and I splutter, “Th-Thanks, Dad. S-See you soon.”

I hang up the phone, grateful I have my dad. The television gains my attention as Colt’s face fills the screen, so I turn it off and head for the bathroom. It’s time for a long soak in the tub with a glass of my favorite red.

COLT

I’m at home, in bed propped up on pillows watching television. Beau is lying next to me taking up the other half of the bed, snoring softly. I have so many channels to watch, but none of them hold any interest as I click from one to the next. It’s been three weeks, and Skye hasn’t contacted me. I’ve royally fucked this up. Beau rolls onto his back, paws in the air, and his snoring becomes louder.

Shaking my head, I grab my phone and walk downstairs. My fridge is close to empty—I don’t even have enough to make a sandwich. Opening one of the kitchen drawers I find a plethora of menus for home delivery and takeout restaurants. I settle on pizza and call them, placing an order for one extra-large meat lovers’, then hang up and get myself a drink. If coach knew I was breaking my diet this badly, he’d probably bench me.

My phone rings, and without looking at who it is, I answer, “Hello?”

“Colt? It’s Blaise.”

The sound of his voice reminds me of how I’ve let everyone around me down, including him.

“Hey, Blaise, what’s up?”

“You haven’t been around much lately.”

One of the reasons I joined the Big Brother Program was it targeted kids who needed a male influence. Shame washes over me as I realize I’ve abandoned Blaise.

“You know what, bud, I’ve only just ordered an extra-large meat lovers’ pizza. What if I come over and you help me eat it?”

“You mean it?”

“Yeah, I do. I’ll be at your house within the hour. Okay?”

“Cool! My dad will be here, too.”

Fuck. I’d forgotten Derek was even getting out.

“Sounds good, bud. We can eat it together.”

I walk upstairs to change and find Beau sitting in the

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