The Problem with Sports - M.E. Clayton Page 0,43

I was emotionally confused was a super understatement.

“So, I called him, and he asked if I could meet him somewhere or if he could stop by. I called my parents and asked if they could watch Grant for a bit, and after dropping him off, I met Nathan at Just One More Cup.” Just One More Cup was a café that was opened around the clock. The entire world didn’t work banker hours and Just One More Cup understood this.

“And?”

“First, he owned up to overstepping, but not just with telling Grant he was interested in you,” he continued. “He apologized for not staying in his lane.” Steven chuckled. “Those were his words, not mine.” I thought about that, and it was probably a very accurate description of Nathan’s behavior since the first night we met. “After that, he apologized for not taking the time to understand something he’s never experienced. He admitted to only seeing everything through the eyes of a person who’d never had the kind of responsibilities you and I had.”

“Okay, so he apologized, and explained why he was irresponsible and an asshole, but that still doesn’t explain why you’re here on his behalf, Steven,” I told him. “And, quite frankly, his is weird, Steven.”

He let out a soft chuckle. “I’m very aware, Andrea.”

“Okay, so he apologized, admitted to being clueless, and…?”

“And I think the man really cares about you, Andie,” he replied. “In fact, I’m pretty sure the man is in love with you.”

My heart dropped at hearing him say those words. “What makes you say that?”

“Because he looked like a goddamn mess, Andie,” he claimed. “He looked worse than you do right now, and you’ve been crying your eyes out all night.”

“Ha. Ha,” I deadpanned.

“I’m serious,” he said as he made his way over and put his hands on my shoulders, then rubbing them up and down. “I just know that look, Andrea.”

“Why are you doing this, Steven?” Even if everything he was saying was true, I still couldn’t reconcile the fact that Steven was here, and he was pleading Nathan’s case.

“Because I can tell you I’m sorry, every day for the rest of my life, but those two words mean nothing without any action behind them, Andrea.” I felt like I was being pummeled emotionally, good, bad, sad…all of them. “I don’t want you to just hear how sorry I am, I want you to know it. And the only way I can prove how sorry I am for everything I’ve caused is to do whatever I need to in order to make sure you and Grant are happy. And Nathan was making you happy, Andie.”

“But he-”

“Stop,” he commanded, his hands sliding into his pockets. “While what Nathan did was reckless, it wasn’t malicious. His talk with Grant was ill-advised, but you know he didn’t do it to hurt you or Grant.”

“But-”

“Andrea, don’t make Nathan pay for my mistakes,” he said sternly. “You’re gun shy, and I understand that. I really do. But ending things this abruptly because of a misunderstanding is a bit extreme, don’t you think?”

I thought about that for a few seconds. “The argument got ugly,” I said, letting him know there was more to it.

Steven nodded. “I know, Andie,” he replied, surprising me again. “Nathan didn’t go into details, but he admitted to getting immature and ugly after me and Grant left.”

I couldn’t stop the quiet tears that came. “I’m scared, Steven,” I confessed.

His voice scratched when he said, “I know, Andrea. And I’m so fucking sorry. I’m so fucking sorry I did that to you.” He pulled his hands out of his pockets and yanked me into his arms. “I’ll support you, no matter what you decide with Nathan, but I really do believe the man loves you. And I just want to see you happy.”

“I really care about him, Steven,” I admitted. “It’s a scary feeling to care about someone like that again.”

“I know,” he murmured against my hair. “But just hear him out, Andie. Hear him out, and if you don’t see what I saw, then I agree, move the hell on. But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water because it’s easier.”

“Did you just call me a coward?” I asked, my voice a watery chuckle.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I did,” he challenged back.

I pulled out of his arms and looked up at him. “Thank you, Steven.”

He smiled down at me. “You’re welcome, Andrea.” He jerked his head towards the door. “I’m going to go get