Page 75 of The Pucking Fake Marriage

“I have nothing to say to you.” My words ring clearly in the quietening crowd. Somewhere inside me, I feel a hint of regret. I haven’t had a single scandal since I started playing in the league, but that record’s going to be broken by the end of night.

Another reason to be grateful for Charlie’s re-entrance into my life.

She doesn’t seem put off by my rudeness. Taking two steps closer to me, she keeps staring me down. Blake’s arm falls limply, letting her pass. “Well, I have a lot to say to you. And as much as I would have liked this to be a private moment…” Her lower lip quivers for a second “…if you’re not going to give me that, then I’ll take this.”

“I’m not willing to give you even this.” A gasp runs through the crowd, and I see a slice of pain in Charlie’s eyes.Great,I think, mollified. Charlie always scurries away at the slightest hurt. This time, I’m going to use that to my advantage. “Leave, Charlie. Now.”

“No.”

A stronger gasp runs through the people standing by. I barely hear it. I’m too surprised.

She looks determined. Reminds me of the first day I walked into her restaurant, when she fired her chef. That’s the version of Charlie I’m dealing with now, the one that will either do something or die trying.

“I’m not going to take a lot of your time. But I’ve just got to tell you that…I’m sorry.” She swallows hard, and I catch a glint of tears in her eyes. “I’m really, really sorry.”

My own throat tightens with anger. An apology. Of course. I told her exactly how her ankle got broken, and then watched her freeze. My family disbelieving me was expected, if not welcome. But it was the silence from Charlie that shattered me almost beyond repair. Knowing she still thought I was capable of doing that to her. And siding with Kali over meagain.

After everything, I’d done the one thing I said I wouldn’t do. Let myself fall for Charlie even with herhorrible record. And once more, I’m stuck picking up the pieces. I’d be foolish to let her hurt me a third time.

“That all?” I ask. “Well, thanks. See you around.” I’ll send her a text later to pick up her stuff from my house, so we can get started on an annulment. The faster I get her out of my life, the better.

“No.”

Tension seems to ripple through the crowd as it does through me. What the hell is she playing at now? “What?”

“That’s not all.” She steps even closer. Tears spill down her cheeks, and I feel my heart burn in spite of myself. “I also want to tell you that I love you.”

More cameras clicking. Gasps around the arena. My teammates are still pressing against me, but we could as well be the only two people in the world right now. Hell, time just stopped and blended into nothing.

There’s no way I heard that right.

“I’ve always loved you.” She wipes away her tears, but more rivulets come flowing down her face. “I think I loved you from the first moment I met you. How could I not? You’re the most amazing man. But I was too damn scared. I never wanted to deal with the possibility of losing you, so I kept it in check and locked away. But I know better now. Life without you has lost its color. I don’t want to spend even one second away from you.”

The two halves of my brain collide and combust all at once. It is happening right in front of me, probably being streamed live on a dozen social media platforms, but I still can’t believe it.

Ten long years after confessing my love for her, Charlie’s finally saying everything I’ve wanted to hear. Finally admitting that she loves me.

I don’t even know what to think. Or what to say.

“You’re kidding.”

She shakes her head slowly, closing the gap between us. Taking my hand in hers, she grips it tightly.

“I love you, Kenneth Edwards. Always have, always will.”

I stare down at her beautiful eyes streaming with tears. The sincerity in them is as clear as day, the love sparkling bright in those orbs.

I’m still in disbelief, but the truth is starting to break through those layers, like weak sun rays splitting through ice.

Charlie Chapman is in love with me.

TWENTY-TWO

THE REAL VICTORY (CHARLIE)

It’s been an hour since I left the arena, and I still can’t control my trembling fingers.

“Alright,” comes Haley’s impressed voice over the phone. “How do you feel?”

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