Page 69 of Touchdowns and Temptations

HOOKUPS?

He didn't say that did he? Angrily, I tear myself away from him.

“What did you just call me?” I hiss. “a hookup?”

“Yeah,” he replies matter-of-factly. “That's all it ever was. Now get out of here.”

I hear Alex say something else, but Noah doesn't answer his brother. Instead, he drags me to the front door, opens it, and pushes me into the hallway. I look at him with my eyes wide open.

“Noah,” I whisper. “Please. Let's talk.”

There is no trace of his usually gentle nature on his face. On the contrary, his expression becomes more and more rigid and angry.

“Fuck you, Cara!” he spits out. “I'm done with you, your games, and our relationship.” Then he slams the door in my face with a bang and yells at his brother.

I stand there for a few more minutes, my lower lip trembling, and finally I burst into tears because I have lost the man I love.

20

Cara

Three weeks later, Noah continues to ignore me. He dodges my calls, my messages go unanswered, and he has suspended all of our business meetings until further notice. He can't even talk to me professionally. I don't understand him. If we talk, we can make things right, can't we?

I would like to apologize to him and ask him for a second chance. Then we can try being together and have an official relationship, I don't care, but I want him back.

On top of that, he got hurt the day before yesterday in the game against Nashville and didn't come back after halftime. A defensive player from the Nashville Warriors, Logan's team, knocked him down and hit his right arm. His throwing arm. It didn't look good from the start, but Noah wanted to keep playing. In the end, he didn't come back and I have no idea how he is. If he is badly injured or just a little bit. I don't know anything and it's driving me crazy. Alex doesn't answer me either. My messages are delivered to him, but he doesn't write back. I'm sure Noah gave his brother a good talking to and forbid him to contact me.

I walk into a Starbucks in downtown Boston and am on my way to the counter when I see Alex. He's sitting in the back with a coffee. I think about walking up to him and talking to him, but I reassess the situation.

“What can I get you?” the barista asks, smiling at me.

“A macchiato.” I look at Alex again and take the money out of my pocket.

“Four dollars,” she says and I hand it to her.

“Thank you.”

I walk to the counter and don't let Alex out of my sight. He's my only chance to get to Noah and find out what's wrong with him. I need to know how badly he's hurt and where he is. I pick up my drink and walk over to Alex.

Heart pounding, I stop in front of his table and take a deep breath before speaking to him.

“Hi,” I say softly and he lifts his eyes. Alex looks surprised and immediately puts his phone down.

“Hi,” he says, looking at me. “Are you okay?”

“Not really,” I mumble, pointing to the empty chair across from him. “May I?”

Alex is hesitant, I can see that. But I also know that we've known each other long enough and that he likes me enough to offer me a seat.

“Sure,” he finally says and I smile and sit down next to him.

“Thanks,” I mumble, clutching my coffee to go cup tightly.

“How are you doing?” His question sounds sincere and I swallow.

“Not good,” I admit to him. “I miss Noah.”

“Hm,” Alex says, scratching his coffee cup with his nails. “He's not feeling well either.”

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