Page 102 of All Signs Point to Malibu

“Doesn’t matter, I came to say I’m sorry.” She deserves that much and so much more, and after witnessing Amelia reconnecting with her family after such a long time, I needed to do this now. I don’t expect forgiveness, but I need to be brave enough to face the music and deal with the consequences.

“You’re sorry? For breaking up my engagement? For kissing my fiancé? For lying to my entire family? For allowing me to trust you with my career goals?”

“All of that—yes. Deeply, deeply sorry and also I was so wrong. I’m not in love with Liam and he’s not in love with me.”

“Really? Tell that to fifty wedding guests who saw you two kiss!” Sonia continues to pace the room. Fuming, she continues to toss clothing into Liam’s suitcase. She picks up a bottle of champagne, takes a swig from it, then continues.

“Look, I admit, at first I wasn’t so sure that the two of you were meant to be...”

At Sonia’s look,

“In hindsight, I realize that wasn’t up to me to decide.”

Sonia hesitates for a beat, then squares her shoulders. “If Liam loved me, he wouldn’t have kissed you on our wedding day.”

“He was just freaked out. I’d messed with him. Again, so sorry!” I say quickly when she scans the room, looking for something heavy or sharp to throw next.

Sonia scoffs. “Warren was right about you. You’re manipulative and untrustworthy...”

I flinch at the secondhand insult from Warren, but Sonia’s not done with the attack. “Living in your mansion with your wealthy clients, playing with people’s lives for a living, you have no sense of morality—right and wrong.”

“I won’t deny that my moral compass can get a little skewed. I just want you to know that I am truly sorry and you are—were—the closest thing to a friend that I’ve had in a long time.”

Sonia looks conflicted for a long moment. Her expression is one of hesitancy and hurt and it gives me the slightest glimmer of hope that somehow we can get past this. I miss her. I miss her friendship. We’d really connected despite my efforts not to get too close. She’s a fantastic person, and spending time with her, despite the circumstances, had filled a void in my life that I hadn’t wanted to acknowledge—the lack of real human connection. I hate that I messed it all up when for the first time, I’d been willing to let my guard down just enough to risk having a friend.

Sonia sighs, looks like she might for a second concede, but then turns away. “Please leave.”

“Sonia.”

“Get the hell out, Hailey.”

The words are spoken softly but resolutely, leaving no room to argue or hope that there’s potential of a future friendship.

Deflated and defeated, with no other option and nothing left to say, I leave the room.

Parents, football fans, and scouts fill the stands for the league championship finals. On the sidelines, my entire body is full of nervous sweat for the athletes out on the field. This game could change their lives.

Adrenaline pumps through me as I remember facing this moment years before—a young, hopeful athlete full of dreams, adrenaline, and ambition. The pressure but also the anticipation, hope and drive fueling my actions.

The opposing team’s coach looks just as nervous as I am, and I nod in his direction. He holds up a triumphant fist. This game is different than all the others. Right now, while we are competitors in a season championship game, we are also allies, working together to showcase the talent and athletic ability of these kids we care so much about. It won’t matter today the final score or which team walks away hoisting the league trophy. Each player is on display. Each toss, each throw, each catch, each touchdown matters.

Everyone here is rooting for the future of this sport.

The game starts and time passes in an almost blur.

On the field, Marcus shines. His focus, determination, skill is all on point. Passes are caught. Touchdowns are scored. The kid is on fire and I’m so pumped up, I’m practically floating as I run along the sidelines watching one amazing moment after another. The teen has stepped up and brought it when it matters. I can feel the confidence and energy radiating from him that only being given a second shot can evoke. The feeling that it’s now or never—time to leave it all out on the field. He is the superstar I knew he always was. He believes it now too.

Everyone on this football field does.

The ball is thrown toward him and he runs with speed I’ve never seen, dodging players on either side, an unstoppable, unbeatable force as he makes his way toward the end zone...

His movements are concise as he plows through the obstacles that stand in his way.

I hold my breath as I watch, then the crowd around me erupts in the stands as Marcus scores the touchdown of his young career.

I hear his mother cheering the loudest and my heart is full that she’s been able to see this moment. Truly enjoy the sacrifices that the family has made and see that her son’s talent was worth taking this shot on.

I’m overwhelmed with so many emotions and the only thought that pops into my mind out of nowhere is I wish Hailey was here to see this.

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