Page 9 of The Girl He Loves

Chapter 4

Friday

I’m speechless.I breathe in deeply through my nose, grappling for control, trying not to have a freak-out panic attack in front of Dax Griffin. Holy Lord.

He’s as gorgeous today as he was back then. Still boyishly handsome with light brown sun-streaked hair cut close and the one dimple in his right cheek. A scar runs from the corner of his left eye to his temple, created by a cleat and a collision on the field his senior year. I was there.

Sweet Jesus, I had it bad for him. And, for a while, I did have him. He was mine, and I was his, and it was beautiful and easy and everything you imagine a relationship to be. There was fun and laughter. He was a friend and a lover. Our brief time together was oh-so-good.

Then he was marked for a high draft pick. More importantly, Dax knew he had the attention of several professional teams and was likely going to a team across the country. I know this because my brother explained how the draft worked, and the first three teams up were west coast teams. Followed by two northern teams.

I asked Dax once what he thought would happen, and he'd said we'd know on draft day. I got that; I did. What I didn’t get was how we never even had a hypothetical conversation. All this let me think our six months together meant more to me than him. Pair that with his over-the-top excitement about his future and no mention of my place in it and, well, I just did the expected.

“Dax,” I say in a strangled whisper. “Wow, what are the odds of running into you after all these years?”

Not that it mattered because the unthinkable had just happened.

He pushes from his chair and comes around the table to embrace me in a hug.

Never in a million years did I ever imagine seeing Dax again. Some people dream about running into a former boyfriend. I never did. I imagined it would feel humiliating.

I imagined correctly.

But seriously, what are the odds? I suppose I could ask Jayne’s man Stacy. He’s a math genius and would know the odds in a second.

“Who cares?” Dax says after stepping back slightly. “It’s fantastic running into you. You look great.”

Nine years in the league, one too many concussions, and he retired. I had hoped he’d stayed on the west coast. And yeah, I checked his Instagram occasionally. There wasn’t any mention of an east coast visit. His parents were in Tampa since his dad was the head coach for the pro team there. Which is why I avoid Tampa.

Today, I think I’d be justified in saying the universe has been quite the dick to me. Seriously. First my school and so-called criminal record, and now my old flame from college shows up. The one I never really got over.

“You look great, too.” I nod to emphasize my point while I scan for an escape. Man, I was so head-over-heels for him. Probably why I was overly sensitive to his sudden fame. Who could compete with that?

Ending things made my heart feel as if it had been stomped on by Dax’s stupid football cleats. And that old ache revisits me now. I don’t really want to stand here and make small talk.

He says, “I heard you married and had a kid. You have just the one, or more? I’m assuming you stayed in town close to your folks.”

I grew up in Daytona. He grew up everywhere, since his dad worked for whatever team hired him. He attended the University of Central Florida on a full football scholarship. I attended it on the student loan plan.

“Just the one.” Then a lie slips off my tongue like melted butter. “I have a house over on the beach.” I point in the direction of Josie’s place. Not that we could see it from here on Main Street.

Dax left college and, if his Instagram account is an accurate storyteller, has a fabulous life, including nice homes, vacations, and expensive cars. I’ll be damned if I would be someone he pities because my life has turned out the polar opposite of his.

“Wow, the beach. Nice. I like the sound of the ocean as white noise. I had a place near water in Cali, too.” His attempt to connect fell flat. “Sounds like you and your husband are doing well.” He glances at my ring finger. My bare ring finger. I hocked the diamond to pay for auto repairs.

I shrug nonchalantly. “I don’t have any complaints.”

“Did you end up getting your psych degree?”

Clearly, he didn’t track me to the same degree I had him.

I choke on air. “Would you believe I went into fashion? I co-own a shop in town. A high-end boutique. We have a big online presence.” Another lie. I work for Jayne, not with her, but maybe she’d pretend otherwise in case he asks.

He gives both of my shoulders an affectionate squeeze. “I knew you’d do great things. You’re just that sort of person.”

Humiliation sets in. I can feel the red heat creeping up my neck, and Dax knows this is my tell. He used to dog me about it. There’s a chance he could’ve forgotten, but not likely, the way my luck is going today.

“Thanks. So how about I give you guys time to look at the menu and think about what you want to order?”

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