Page 84 of All Signs Point to Malibu

“Thought you might,” she says and there’s a long awkward beat between us.

Guess we said all we needed to.

I clear my throat. “Tomorrow’s the big day.”

“Yep.”

Man, this is awkward. Tomorrow will be torture. As maid of honor and best man, we’re going to be glued at the hip for wedding photos, the walk down the aisle, the wedding party dance... Damn, holding her in my arms again knowing she’s totally not into me might kill me.

Maybe I should say something. Put her mind at ease that we’re cool, even though I’m totally not. It was just an impulsive...mind-blowing, life-changing, night.

“About the other night...”

Hailey’s scanning the field. She frowns and interrupts. “Hey, where’s Marcus?”

Okay...so maybe she is cool with not talking about it.

I sigh and lower my voice so the others won’t hear. I told them Marcus had other things going on and needed to take a step back from the team, but I’m sure they could read between the lines. “He was using.”

Hailey swings toward me in panicked desperation. “You kicked him off the team?”

“Rules are rules. He was warned.” What’ssheso upset about? I’m the one who lost my star player and Marcus is the one who is throwing his entire future away.

How did this become about Hailey Harris? Thought we’d moved beyond that.

“Scouts are coming. This could be his future. He needs this,” she says.

I frown. What the hell is her deal? “You don’t even know him.” She’s right. He does need this. But I can’t let him play when he’s not focused enough on the goal to stay the course and see it through. Fame and fortune will destroy him if he’s already giving in to drugs and alcohol as outlets. I hate that he’s choosing this path over the one that could change his life, but there’s nothing I can do that I haven’t already tried.

But Hailey’s not giving up. “Warren, please. Trust me. Just give him another chance,” she pleads. “Think about what you’d give for another shot.”

I don’t know why she’s so bloody invested in this kid, but she’s getting to me. If there was a way, I’d take it. I sigh, place my hands on my hips and stare off at the team for a long moment before turning back to her.

“Look, the rules are simple. Marcus knew them. How will it look to the rest of the team if I let him come back—no questions or punishment?” I need to set the example.

“Make sure there are conditions, but don’t write him off just yet.”

“What is it to you?” I ask.

She dances from one foot to the other and her genuine concern hits me in the feels. “I just...know what it’s like to come from a place of having nothing and wanting a better life and not knowing exactly how to get there. I had my mom...although our time was cut short. Marcus has you.” She pauses. “He needs you even if he doesn’t realize it yet.”

Gut punched.

“I’ll think about it,” I say and she nods.

Our gazes meet and hold for a long torturous beat as I try to read her mind. The last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster.

I clear my throat and try again, “So, the thing the other night...”

She looks intrigued about what I’m starting to say, but her cell phone chimes, interrupting the moment. She glances at it, then holds it up. “Sonia. We’re headed to the spa.”

Right. “Well, have fun relaxing.”

She hesitates. “You were saying something...”

I was, but does it really matter? There are far too many reasons why Hailey Harris and I shouldn’t be together. I should chalk it up to an experience and learn to move on. After the wedding, there won’t be any real opportunity to see her again anyway... I shake my head. “It was nothing.”

“Okay,” she says and I detect a hint of disappointment in her tone...or maybe it’s relief. She walks away and I watch her go. Her passion over the Marcus situation is making me that much more attracted to her, and my own insecurities are ensuring there’s not a damn thing I’m going to do about it.

---