Page 56 of The Player

Maybe he should lower the emotional barriers he’d raised to protect himself and take a chance on trusting someone again?

Because that’s what hurt him the most with his dad: that their breakdown in trust had affected how he interacted with everyone, from his colleagues to his dates. He didn’t allow anyone to get close for fear of being let down, the way he’d felt when his dad had put Babs first at the expense of their relationship.

He’d never understood how Quentin could tolerate their strained relationship for that woman.

Until now.

Love did strange things to a guy and if his dad had been half as smitten with Babs as Wade was with Liza, he could justify his behaviour. It didn’t make accepting their lost years any easier or the lack of trust he’d instilled in his dad because of his withdrawal, both physical and emotional, but it went some way to easing the guilt.

He wondered how different his life would be if he didn’t run this time.

A thousand scenarios flashed through his head, the main one centred on Liza and him, together. He thought he’d made her an offer too good to refuse, a magnanimous gesture including her sister. But the more he thought about it, the more he realised how selfish he’d been.

Had he really expected her to pack up, leave her support network, and move halfway around the world to fit in with his life?

At no stage had he contemplated staying in Melbourne. It had been a given he’d return to London and expected her to make all the sacrifices. He should’ve known she’d never agree.

Maybe that was why he’d done it?

Issued an offer he knew she could never accept?

The thought rattled him. He’d never been emotionally involved with a woman, had kept his dalliances emotion free. The way he saw it, inviting her to live with him had been a huge step forward.

But what if it wasn’t forward enough?

He’d treated his dad the same way, not willing to see two sides of their story, intent on believing what he wanted to believe. It had ruined their relationship and driven an irrevocable wedge between them.

It irked, how he’d never have a second chance with his dad. But it wasn’t too late to make amends with Liza…

Wade leapt from the bed and headed to the living room in search of his phone. He needed to put some feelers out, set some plans in motion, before he took the chance of his lifetime.

This time, he wouldn’t screw up.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Liza cherished movie nights with Cindy. She loved curling up on the couch, a massive bowl of popcorn and a packet of chocolate cookies between them, laughing uproariously at their favourite comedies they rewatched countless times.

But tonight, not even the funniest animated ogre could dredge up a chuckle. Cindy had picked up on her mood, barely making a dent in the popcorn when she usually devoured the lot.

‘Are you sad because Wade left?’

Reluctant to discuss this with Cindy because she didn’t want to stress her out unnecessarily, Liza dragged her gaze from the TV screen and forced a smile for her sister, knowing she’d have to give Cindy some semblance of the truth for her to drop the topic.

‘Yeah, I’ll miss him.’

A tiny frown marred Cindy’s brow. ‘Where is he going?’

‘London.’

‘Wow.’ Cindy’s eyes widened to huge blue orbs. ‘Lucky guy. London’s an amazing city. Wish we could go.’

Cindy crammed another fistful of popcorn into her mouth, chewed, before continuing. ‘Maybe we could visit Wade there?’

Stunned, Liza stared at Cindy. She’d never heard her sister articulate any great desire to travel. The furthest they’d been was Sydney when Jimmy had been up for a mega award, and Liza had spent the entire time torn between caring for Cindy and ensuring she presented the perfect WAG front when on Jimmy’s arm.

It had been exhausting, and after that weekend she preferred to spend time with Cindy at home, while keeping her travels for WAG duties separate.

Not that they’d been able to afford travel. She’d been so busy saving every cent for the future she’d never contemplated wasting money on an overseas trip.

---