Page 118 of If You Need Me

The answer is no, I’m not remotely okay at all. But I will be less okay if my brothers take it upon themselves to come visit and bring all their high octane into my already overwhelmed world. They’re dudes to the nth degree. They’ll want to problem solve by filling my schedule with activities, and all Iwant to do right now is lie on the couch and cry. So I type out a lie.

Hemi

I’m fine. It just wasn’t working out.

Isaac

Sam

That smells like a lie.

Do we need to fly in and take control of the situation?

I will go full Tonya Harding if I need to.

Isaac

I second this.

Hemi

He’s too important to the team.

Sam

There are lots of talented players out there. He’s fully replaceable.

Hemi

I don’t know if my friends will agree with that.

Isaac

We’ll source a replacement in case you change your mind.

Sam calls me five seconds later on video. I sigh, because not answering will just make things worse.

“What happened? What did he do?” he demands.

“I’m not as in love with him as he is with me.” Sam can smell a lie a million miles away.

“So you ended things because he’s too into you?” he asks.

“No, he ended things because he’s too into me, and he doesn’t think I’ll ever be as into him.”

Sam is silent for a moment before he admits, “I already siphoned the information out of Moms.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“They made a valiant effort to keep your secrets, but you know how good I am at getting the truth out of people. Plus, they’re the worst liars. It’s why we have a family no-lying rule. Which you broke and I’m disappointed about. I’ll be honest, though, I’d already figured out most of it when we came down to visit after the surprise televised proposal.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because you clearly had your reasons for doing it the way you did. This job means everything to you. You love this team, and I understand why. They love you right back. You are an integral part of what makes them work, and you’re fiercely loyal and protective. You could have thrown Dallas under the bus, and maybe you should have, but you put the welfare of the team ahead of your own. Protecting other people shouldn’t come at such a great cost to yourself.”

Isaac pings repeatedly to be let in on the call. Sam pulls him in.

“What’d I miss?” He frowns as he takes in my face. “Shit. This is bad. You never cry.”

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