Page 58 of My Best Bet

“Maybe JP can help you though,” I pushed, not wanting to change the subject.

“I don’t…” Her eyes dropped down, like she was embarrassed. “I can’t pay for it right now.”

“It’s JP.” My eyebrows tugged together. “He’ll do it for free.”

“I don’t need handouts.” She kept her eyes trained on the rubber floor in front of us.

“I know you don’t,” I said. “Sorry, I just… I need to know you’re okay.” My thumb brushed over her knee and she shivered slightly. Part of me wanted to yell out in triumph that my touch still affected her.

“Why?” She swallowed and shook her head. “It’s not your problem.”

It could be though, a voice in my head wanted to argue. I couldn’t be there for her when it happened and something in me still desperately wanted to be her protector.

But if I said all that, I had a feeling she’d pull away. Instead, I settled on, “Lucy needs her coach on her feet.”

She gave a small smile and nodded, but she wouldn’t meet my eyes again. I didn’t want to leave her here alone, but I knew she was dismissing me.

“Okay, well, I'll see you,” I mumbled before standing.

I stole one last glance at her before heading up to the weight room.

As I plowed through the rest of my day, my mind was still back at that bench with Mer. I wasn’t sure if it was the interaction that rattled me, but I felt weirdly off-balanced the rest of the day.

14.Mer - Mer Bear to the Rescue

Early Friday morning, I threw my hair in a messy bun and pulled on my coach clothes, then drove through the dark city to O’Hare to retrieve Piper.

She breezed out in a caramel peacoat overtop of leggings, lugging her two bags and carrying a tray with two coffees.

I really hoped one of the coffees was for me because it was 5am and my eyes were burning.

“How’s it going, girlie?” she asked, plopping in the passenger seat and handing me a coffee. “My payment for the ride, madam.”

Thank God. “You totally didn’t have to, but thank you.”

“Umm, for one, I made you roll out of bed and get me before the sun’s even up, and two, this airport has some of the best coffee in the city, so yes, I did have to. Now, how were your two weeks? Fill me in. I see you’ve survived in your haunted apartment.”

“It isnothaunted.” I rolled my eyes as I pulled away from the curb, but I decided to keep it to myself that the heating broke and I almost froze into a popsicle last night. The landlord was supposed to have it fixed by today, so it was all good.

“If you say so. Any news on ‘The Conman’ front?”

“Actually, yes.” And I was glad for it. After our talk, I was finally able to feel fully at peace at the Coliseum. For days I’d been nervous about the inevitable confrontation I’d have with him. Deep down, I wanted to talk to him, but based on our first interaction, I thought it’d be contentious. I was grateful that it ended up being the opposite. When he sat on that bench with me, it felt like I was talking with the old Colt that I knew andloved. He’d always exuded calm, soothing energy, and I was glad the world hadn’t changed that about him.

Her eyes bulged as she took a gulp of coffee. “Way to bury the lede! Details! Right now.”

I laughed as I veered onto the highway. “You were right.”

“Of course,” she flicked her wrist, “but about what?”

“Well,” I sighed, “he doesn't have a ring, for one.”

“Knew it.”

“And, he actually agreed to move forward, no talking about the past. It was kind of… nice. Wait,” I snuck a glance at her in the passenger seat, “how did you know he wouldn’t have a ring?”

She shrugged. “Just a hunch. You guys were so in love. I don’t know if anyone can move on that easily after that. All that love doesn’t just go away, ya know? And I know for a fact that no other person on this planet compares to you, my beautiful bestie. I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” My heart warmed and I found myself smiling at my windshield. “How was Canada?”

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