“Thank you. Tonight I’m staying at the Hilton near the airport, then tomorrow night I fly out. After that, I’ll be in the UK, so if you need anything at all, please call.”
She grabs my hand. “Oh, honey, everything will work out. Things always do. Maybe this move will be good for you?”
Feeling my throat close, I offer her a smile and nod. If I speak now, I know my emotions will get the best of me.
Pulling my hand out of her grasp, I turn and head for my car. Once inside, I start it, give her a wave, and look back at my home one last time before driving away.
“Skye, you have to tell him.”
“Gray, he hasn’t called, he doesn’t care. My flight is booked, and I’m going.”
I hear his intake of breath. “Colt is an idiot.”
“I’m not going to argue that point with you.”
“My momma is going to whip his ass. What time do you fly out?”
“I leave two hours after the game.”
“Keep in touch, yeah?”
“I will, and Gray…”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for being my friend.”
Before he can say anything else, I end the call.
Room service was delivered when I was speaking with Gray, and we’ve been on the phone for half an hour, so the food’s starting to cool. Picking up a french fry, I put it in my mouth and turn on the television.
Dammit! Colt’s face fills the screen, so I quickly turn it off.
Part of me wants so badly to ring him, but it’s been a week, and there’s been radio silence from him. Nothing. I recheck my messages, but there are zero new ones. With a heavy heart, I put my phone on charge, pick up the remote control, and click to the pay per view channel. At least this way I won’t accidentally see Colt’s face on the screen. So as not to torture myself, I pick a comedy and hit play.
Some mindless entertainment should put me straight to sleep.
Tomorrow is a new day and a new chapter in my life.
COLT
The team and I are all in the locker room. We’re dressed and almost ready to hit the field. If we don’t win this match, we can kiss the Super Bowl goodbye. Coach is giving his normal speech to rile us up. I’m nodding, making the occasional grunt to show my support and seem like I’m listening. Problem is, I’m not. As soon as I walked back in here, visions of Skye and the look on her face came flooding back. Someone shoves me, and I look up to see everyone is standing in a circle, and I’m still sitting.
I stand, thrust my helmet in the air, and shout, “New England Warriors rule!”
My teammates roar at me and run out of the locker room. Gray is beside me, but I can tell by his wrinkled brow and gaze that he’s concerned about me. “You got this?”
“Yeah, man, I got this.”
“Well, come on then, let’s win this game,” roars Gray.
I nod, my heart not in it, but I jog toward the field. There are equal parts cheering and booing as I run on. Gray uncharacteristically stands next to me while the national anthem is played.
“Did you ring her?”
“No,” I reply while looking straight ahead.
“You’re an idiot.”
The anthem stops, and I look at Gray. “Thanks, bud.”
“You know she’s leaving tonight, don’t you?”
I shake my head but say, “Maybe it’s for the best.”
Gray grabs my faceguard on my helmet and butts heads with me. “That girl loves you, and you… you’ve fucked it all up.” Gray jogs away, and I go to my position on the field.
It’s going to be a long-ass game, and I need to focus.
So, with a growl, I force all thoughts of Skye out of my head.
There are fifteen minutes left in the game. I’m bloody and bruised, and we are down by six points.
“For fuck’s sake, Anders, get your fucking head in the game,” one of my teammates loud whispers as we huddle in a circle.
“If you fuckers would actually block their guys, so I could throw the fucking ball, this wouldn’t be an issue,” I growl back.
Gray straightens, grabs my faceguard, and looks me in the eyes. “She’s leaving. Tonight. She’s on a plane to England, and it leaves two hours after the game. So get the woman out of your damn head. We need to win this game, Colt.” Gray smashes his helmet into mine. “New. England. Warriors!”
The guys cheer, and we run back to our positions.
Skye is leaving.
My heart feels