Page 42 of Tangled with the Tight End

Is that what’s wrong? I’m desperate for someone to put me first? Someone to replace my best friend?

Lord, I roll my eyes and pop open the oven, pulling out a tray of perfectly golden-crowned muffins. I’m not that pathetic. I refuse to be.

When my phone rings, I ignore it until it rings through a full cycle and begins to ring again. The butterflies in my belly flutter when I glance at the screen. This time, it is Gabriel.

“Hello?”

“Are you feeling better?” His deep baritone voice causes the hairs on my arms to rise to attention. “I hope you didn’t get anything from Gino. I’ve been worried all night that you caught something from him, and it wasn’t teething.”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” I lean my hip against the island.

“I’m glad.” His voice goes even lower and my core instantly heats. What power does this man hold over me? I’ve never been this impacted by someone. Not even my other holiday fling.

Holiday fling. The mere thought of those words has the butterflies scattering into hiding.

“How’s Gino?” I cross one arm over my chest and prop the elbow of my other arm on it. “And your parents?”

“Gino is fantastic. He bounced right back, and my parents headed off on their cruise with no signs of sickness.”

“That’s good.” I should’ve never lied to him. “And you?”

“Physically, I’m fine, but emotionally, not so good.”

“Is something wrong? Are you worried about your physical tomorrow?” I don’t want him to leave, but that’s selfish. This ishis career, his future, and I’d be an idiot to wish he was hurt more than he’d let on.

“No, like I said, physically, I’m fine. I anticipate a return-to-work date. What’s wrong is that I miss you. I came down earlier, but you weren’t making the delivery to the lodge. I’m fairly sure the woman thought I was a stalker.”

“You came down to see me?” I shove off the counter and pace the floor.

Is it wrong to avoid him? What if he falls just as hard for me as I do him, and we live happily ever after? What if you fall head over heels in love with him, and he never looks back?

“Yes. I know you said you wanted distance, but I want to see you tonight before I go. We don’t have much time to be together, and I feel like the clock is ticking.”

I swallow hard over the lump in my throat. We have an expiration date, and that’s not changing at all for him. Sadness weighs heavy on my shoulders, dragging me down like a wet blanket has been thrown over me.

“I’m sorry, Gabriel, I should’ve never agreed to see you while you were here. It was unfair to both of us. I think it is better if we don’t see each other again.”

“That’s….” he pauses as if he’s holding his tongue, and says, “Fine. If that’s what you want.” His voice is filled with granite, and the phone clicks in my ear.

Fuck. Tears sting my eyes as I march to my office and shut the door. It’s what had to be done, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

I lean with my back against the wall. Someday, I’ll find a man who makes me feel like Gabriel did but who doesn’t consider me a hook-up on his way to finding the woman he falls in love with.

I shove off of the wall. If he ever falls in love. Maybe he’s too set in his ways for that. Maybe he’s still hung up on his ex. Maybehe didn’t want to say she broke his heart by cheating. I swipe a tear off my cheek with the back of my hand.

Maybe when they see each other for the divorce, they’ll realize they both made mistakes and stay together. Or decide that Gino is more important than their wants and needs. Somehow, none of that makes me feel any better.

twenty-one

GABRIEL

The secondI step into the weight room, I’m greeted by three songs blasting from different corners of the room. Home sweet home. I chuckle and pass by players on the defensive side of the team. We greet and talk shit for a few minutes before I see Gunner and his wife, Dani, standing outside her office and make my way to them.

“I promise to be back on the field soon.” I hardily shake Gunner’s hand and give him a bro hug.

“It’s good to see you.” He pats my back.

“You, too.” Once he releases me, I give Dani a quick hug. “Are you keeping the big man in line?” Dani is one of the best physical therapists in the business. We’re lucky to have her on the team.

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