Page 13 of Rent Me While You Can

If we’re really compatible?

Jenny sets her wine glass down in a very dramatic fashion. “It’s simple. Do you love him?”

It’s like her question hits me like a ton of bricks. Right in my chest. The question of whether I loved him or not never even crossed my mind.

Because it really is so truly simple.

“I do love him,” I answer. “I love him so much. I was scared, and I never should have opened my big stupid mouth.” I feel like crying. I’ve most likely lost the only man I’ve ever loved.

Jenny moves quickly, wrapping her arms around me. “It’s not too late.”

There’s no use, a few tears trickle down my cheek. “I was so awful to him last night.” She wasn’t there. She didn’t see the look of utter desperation in his eyes. The way his eyes showcased the pure hurt in them when I said I never wanted to see him again.

What was I thinking?

What if I lose him?

As if Jenny can read my mind, she pulls away from me. “You still have time. He has a game tomorrow, right?”

“I can’t show up there.”

“Yes, you can.” Jenny’s eyes are determined. Adamant.

I chew on my lower lip. “I can’t just show up there.”

“Why not?” Jenny asks with a little shrug of her shoulder.

I run a hand through my hair. “I… I don’t know. He’s not going to want to listen to me. Not after I hurt him like I did.”

Jenny places both her hands on top of my shoulders. “That’s the beauty of it. You can tell him you were wrong. You were just scared. And then you’ll see all that hurt in his eyes disappear.”

“That’s exactly what I want.”

She’s right. I have to take the pain I caused him away. I have to tell him how I really feel, or I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. I know I will.

I have to do this. I smile at Jenny and push back my shoulders, raising my chin. “I’m gonna do it.”

The roar of the fans is deafening. They’ve won the game, and I smile at the fact Cole will soon be celebrating with his team. I know he’ll usually leave with the team, but I’m hoping I can catch him before he does.

I walk down the hallway, passing a security guard I’ve seen before. Good thing he remembers me. I want to surprise Cole, but now I’m getting nervous.

What if he doesn’t want to see me?

What if he hates me?

I’d hate me too after what I did to him the other night. This was a mistake. I turn on my heel to head back the way I came when a door opens.

“Amber?” Cole’s voice is thick with despair.

I want to rush into his arms, but I have so much I want to say to him first. I don’t even know where to begin. “Cole, I…” my words fall away when I see the same hurt in his eyes from the other night.

“What are you doing here?” He doesn’t sound mad. He doesn’t really sound anything. Like his voice is hollow.

“Cole, I wanted to apologize for the other night.”

He rubs at the back of his head. “No, it’s okay. Seriously. I’ll be fine.”

Ugh. “But, I won’t.”

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