Page 198 of Vegas Heat

She looks shocked by my words, as if this comes as some huge surprise to her that I feel this way.

And maybe it does. Maybe I’ve never voiced those things because I was raised to respect my elders. And I do treat my elders with respect, but I draw the line at being insulted by my own mother. I’ve grown a backbone since I’ve been here in Vegas.

She sniffs and juts her chin up. “Well, I’m sorry I’ve been such a terrible mother to you.”

I grit my teeth and sigh at her sarcasm. She just doesn’t get it, but that’s the problem with selfish people, isn’t it? They never see beyond their own egos. I guess I forgot what it was like since I moved away. I’ve seen her less than a handful of times in three years, and it’s been months since we’ve spoken.

There was a reason for all that, but she’ll never see that it was because of the way she treats me.

And yet…here I am, successful and independent, feeling like a failure after my mother’s been in town all of half a day. The old familiar feelings of rejection and abandonment are creeping back in on me as the quiet little voices start to speak up again. I don’t deserve Cooper. My father never wanted me and he just puts up with me now because he has to. I need to be perfect, to do better, because one mistake will prove to everybody that I’m not good enough.

And it’s with those voices in mind that I walk out the front door and head to the university library, where I work my tail off to write the best goddamn paper I’ve ever written.

It’s where I spend extra time researching some of the marketing tactics Joanie shared with me.

It’s where I stay far too late because maybe she’s right—the same old Gabby just isn’t working hard enough.

And it’s where I am when the text from Cooper comes through.

Captain:Hope you’re having a good day. I miss you.

And then, because I’ve been lost in work and haven’t been watching the clock, hunger plows into me. I stand to stretch, and all the blood rushes to my head.

I don’t even realize I’ve passed out until someone starts shaking me awake.

CHAPTER 42: COOPER

“I can’t fucking believe her.” Troy tosses his phone angrily on the table. The rest of the crew are in the kitchen grabbing another drink, so it’s just the two of us.

I’ve spent the whole day with the scouting director, the team manager, the general manager, and the three team owners, and there’s still more work to be done as the draft is only a few days away now. We started with brunch at Mike’s place, and then we ordered in a late lunch. We just finished the dinner Joanie sent over.

I haven’t spoken with Gabby since she left my place this morning, and my day feels incomplete without her. A strange sensation passed over me as I texted her, and I have a weird feeling in my chest.

She was really distraught last night, and I hate that her mother has this sort of power over her. From what I understand, she has the ability to make Gabby question everything—like why I’m with her.

My chest ripped wide open when she asked me that last night.

She doesn’t feel deserving of my love, and that only makes me want to try harder to prove how much shedoesdeserve it. Maybe just experiencing unconditional love and support from someone like me—and even her father—will help heal the wounds her mother inflicted.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“I’m checking in on the video monitor on my back porch at home and Christine is helping herself to my Port. My fucking Port! Do you know how expensive that shit is?”

I can’t help a chuckle at his reaction. He’s got plenty of money, so I know that’s not the real root of the issue. “What can you do to get rid of her?”

He shakes his head with disgust. “She’s a fucking leech, man, but she’s Gabby’s mother. I can’t just kick her out.”

“How does Gabby feel about it? Does she want her here?” I press, knowing full well that she most certainly does not.

“It’s her mother,” he says. “Of course she does.”

“Have you asked her?”

He shakes his head. “I’m trying very hard to be the adult here.”

“Maybe start by finding out what your daughter really wants,” I say.

He nods. “She’s been so busy lately, and so have I. It’s going to get harder before it gets easier, and I’m not ready for the wedge the season will inevitably drive between us.” He’s quiet as he speaks, and I can’t help but feel the exact same way.

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