Page 70 of Fumble

“Shut up, Faith. If you’d just kept your mouth and legs closed, we wouldn’t be here.”

That’s enough. No one, not even Coach, is allowed to talk to her that way. I duck his next punch, putting enough distance between us to catch my breath.

“Don’t fucking talk to her that way.” Now, I’ve got his attention.

“It’s none of your business, Hunter. She’s my daughter. Just because you defiled her, doesn’t give you the right to come into my house and tell me how to deal with my family.”

“Coach. Look at her. Really look at her.” Tears are streaming down her face, her whole body shaking as she stands watching in disbelief. “She’s still the same amazing woman she was before this story leaked. Talented, beautiful, moral.”

“How can you say that? She threw her morality away on a scumbag who treats women like objects.”

“That may be true. But it isn’t your place to judge.”

“You arrogant bastard.”

“I love her! I’m in love with her.” He stops dead in his tracks.

“You don’t know the meaning of the word.” Nothing I say is going to change his mind, but just as he moves to come at me again, Faith steps between us. Her shoulders squared, her muscles tense.

“Stop this! I don’t owe you an explanation or an apology. I’m sorry it played out this way, and if I could change the discretion with which this information came to light, I would, but I wouldn’t change my actions. I love Hunter. You can either get on board with that fact, or we walk out of here right now.”

“Then go. I can’t even look at you. You’ve disgraced our family in front of the entire nation, and worse, you’ve disgraced yourself, and you can’t even see it.”

Fuck. I wasn’t prepared for that.

With a busted lip and what I suspect are a few broken ribs, I take Faith’s hand in mine, lending her whatever strength I can muster. With a grace I’ve never witnessed, she strides toward the door. I don’t want this for her, but wherever she leads, I’ll follow. With every step, my body aches.

She doesn’t look back, leaving the door wide open as we head for the car. It’s not until she peels out of the driveway that her words truly sink in.

She loves me.

“Faith…”

“I can’t. Not right now.”

“Okay. Just know that I’m so fucking proud of you for standing up for yourself, and I love you.” Chancing a glance in my direction for a split second before returning her focus to the road ahead, for the first time, she says those four little words that make the beating I just took completely and utterly worth it.

“I love you, too.”

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