Page 67 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“I'm sorry,” he says, and I look at him in surprise. After that performance, I didn't expect him to react like that. “Why didn't you say anything?”

“Football has always been the most important thing to you and it's the most important thing to Noah and ...”

“Nothing is more important to me than you and your mom. You're my daughter, my only child. And if you're throwing away the man of your dreams because of that, then I've failed as a father in every way.”

“You didn't fail, Dad.”

“But?”

“I can't imagine a life like that,” I say honestly. “Not for me and not for my children.”

My mother smiles at me.

“Sometimes you have to take risks to be happy. When we got together, your dad was already a star and on the road all the time. And you know what life is like with a football player, honey.”

I look at my mother and sigh.

“But I... I messed up,” I whisper, wiping away my tears. I say nothing more and leave the kitchen and my parents. I don't want to talk to them anymore.

When I try to reach Noah again, he doesn't answer the phone, of course. He also ignores my messages. I can understand that he's mad at me, but I have to talk to him. The whole thing is a disaster. My parents have threatened to sue anyone who spreads the video of our fight and the article. I think that intimidated them, but it doesn't change the fact that I need to work this out with Noah. The conversation with my parents, while confusing, has given me food for thought.

It's enough that I'm in love with him. Because that's what has always kept my mom by my dad's side. She loves him. That's why she's put up with all the hardships that life has thrown at her. It's the same with me. When I imagine a life without Noah because I can't get off my ass and panic about my childhood, I shudder. Noah and I have taken so many steps towards a relationship. We've been together all the time, getting to know each other's families.

The elevator doors open and I step out. With each step I take closer to the front door, I get more nervous. My hands are sweating and I try to ignore the uncontrollable pounding of my heart. So far, Noah's apartment has been a happy place for me. We've had some great times there. We laughed a lot and loved each other. It was always fun with Alex, too. Although I know that Noah isn't always happy with how freely Alex talks to me. But he doesn't have to worry about that. Because I would always choose Noah. Alex is funny and we have a lot of fun together, but I could never talk to him the way I talk to Noah. I think the right woman for the other McCarter twin is still out there somewhere. I just hope she's not in Nashville and named after a flower. Wait a minute. Why am I worrying about Daisy and Alex when I can't get anything together myself? Noah just dumped me last night.

I take another deep breath and press the doorbell. I regret it immediately and wonder what I'm doing here. Noah is going to kick me out, and for good reason. I've completely messed things up between us and caused a scandal like no other. Although... he's not completely innocent, is he? He confronted me and dragged me out of the building.

The door swings open and Alex looks at me in surprise.

“Cara?” he asks, his eyes wide.

“Hi,” I whisper, feeling anything but comfortable in my own skin. “Is... I mean, is... can I... come in?”

“Sure,” he says, stepping aside. I pass Alex and enter the apartment. “Where's Noah?”

“Not here,” he answers.

I narrow my eyes and decide to stay calm. Alex is my only chance to find out where Noah is. I shouldn't be surprised that he's angry with me. Noah is his twin brother, and I've hurt him badly.

“And where is he?” I ask in a trembling voice.

“Out for a run,” he says. “And I mean that seriously.” A small smile plays on his lips. “A lot going on this morning.”

“Uh, yeah,” I say. “My dad took care of it.”

Alex raises an eyebrow and I bite my lip. I probably shouldn't have said that. I shiver slightly, even though it's warm in the apartment, and I feel extremely uncomfortable in my skin. “So... how... how long has he been gone?”

“I don't know,” Alex says. “Probably a while. Do you want something to drink?”

“You're offering me something?” I ask, surprised, and he nods. Alex puts two glasses on the kitchen counter and grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

“Why not?” he asks. “I like you, Cara.”

“Oh!”

Alex laughs and closes the bottle while I greedily reach for the glass to wet my mouth.

“Are you so surprised that I like you?” he asks. “I have to admit it hurts me.”

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