Power Play - Brittney Mulliner Page 0,20
to Florida. I couldn’t bear the thought, the possibility, of failing you.”
My mouth went dry. He never told me he felt like this. After all we’d been through. The things we survived. He never shared any of this. I knew he’d been in pain and suffered, too, but I had no idea this was how he saw things.
“So instead of failing me, you just left me?”
His eyes connected with mine for a split second. “I didn't know what else to do, Tay.”
I wanted to get mad. Scream at him. Unleash the years of practiced arguments I made up in my mind. But now that I finally had the chance to dump it all out on him, I couldn’t. He was just as broken as me. He still carried the burdens, too. I thought he’d moved on and forgot about me and what happened. Four years of thinking of myself as the victim and I never once stopped to consider he might feel even a fraction of what I did.
But now I knew, and I didn’t want to hurt him anymore. I didn’t want to scream. I ...I wanted to touch him. Hug him. Tell him it was okay. That we were both okay.
I reached out and placed my hand on the top of his on the table. “I think I understand.”
He turned his palm over and gripped my hand like a lifeline. “I know it was terrible and unfair, and I’ll regret my actions for the rest of my life.”
The aching I carried in my heart every single day for the past four years lessened for just one moment. It was enough to clear my mind. “You don’t need to, Jase.”
He squeezed my hand even tighter. “Can you ever forgive me?”
“I’m working on that,” I answered honestly. Seeing him like this was the key to unlocking the hate and sorrow I’d hung onto. This hadn’t been easy for either of us, but I was glad he sat for more than mindless small talk.
He released me and leaned back with a small smile while he shook his head. “I never thought I would get the chance to say any of that to you.”
“Yeah, me neither.”
“I’ve got to head up to my room and change before we go to the arena.” He rubbed his jaw. “We have this post-game dinner thing at the same restaurant. You should come.”
“Oh, yeah. Reese mentioned that.”
His brows shot up. “Reese? Reese Murray talked to you about it?”
I nodded. “I ran into him in the lobby earlier. He remembered me as ‘Wine Girl.’”
He chuckled. “Sorry, I’ll make sure they know your name later.”
I smiled but didn’t commit to coming, just like I did with Reese.
“Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks.” He put his hands on his knees and stood. He paused for a second then pursed his lips and walked away.
This week turned out to be the absolute strangest of my life. Maybe this was why I was in Raleigh. Not to start that job, but to see Jason again.
Too bad I didn’t believe in fate and serendipity.
I opened my laptop and finished the application.
“Taylor?”
I closed my eyes. How many people did I know in this hotel? When I turned around, I saw Colby, Lucy, and Kendall. I’d met her at the game, but couldn't remember who her boyfriend or fiancé was.
I waved and they stood in a line in front of me.
“I’m so glad you’re still here!” Colby nearly cheered. “We’ve got another free ticket tonight, and you’re coming with us.”
I looked to Lucy and Kendall for help, but they seemed just as excited about this news.
“I’m not sure––”
“We’re meeting in the lobby at four so we can walk to the arena and get some food before the game starts. See you then!” Kendall said and then waved as they turned and headed down the hall.
They left me no chance of getting out of going. I slumped back into the chair and conceded. If I didn’t show up, they would somehow get my room number and pull me out. It wasn’t like I had anything better planned. Watching the finals for the Stanley Cup wasn’t exactly torture either.
8
Jason
I didn’t know if Taylor would show up after the game. I wanted her to. It felt like we had a breakthrough today. I didn’t expect to see her again. I thought she would be long gone, so it was more shock and confusion that pushed me toward her and into the seat across from her.
Things didn’t feel finished though.
Knowing she could