Page 17 of The Long Game

She throws her hands up and turns away from me for a few seconds to collect her thoughts.

"Lexi. Come on," I sigh and tug her arm until she turns around. This time she doesn’t look mad…she looks sad, and that kills me.

"I care about you, Tucker. And when we’re good, we’re so damn good."

I want to stop her right there. That’s where this conversation should stop. I want to pull her in and show her all the reasons I can keep making it good. But she doesn’t stop.

"But when does that end? How will that end? You said it yourself, you’re not sure where our future leads. And then you give me a ring. Not an engagement ring but still a ring with so much emotional value. How am I supposed to process that? You have no idea what you want, Tuck."

"That’s not fair."

"None of this is fair." She takes another step closer to me and places her hand on my chest. "You’ve hit the pinnacle of your career. You’ve reached the goal that so many players never obtain. I’m still fighting for mine. A long-distance relationship needs to be someone’s priority. You deserve to be someone’s priority. As much as I want to be with you, I can’t give this relationship what it needs to thrive. It will die, and then what will we be left with?"

She looks at me as my throat clogs with frustration. I can’t speak.

"You're more than just a good lay, Tucker Evans. I can’t afford to lose you."

"A good lay?" I smirk, making light of this shit situation. I can’t let her leave on a bad note.

"Okay fine, a great lay." She gives a forced smile and reaches in her laptop bag, pulling out my Super Bowl ring. "Here, you should take this back. You earned this ring, and you should wear it."

Bile rises in my throat. Doesn't she understand that the only reason I've ever wanted that ring is to prove that I'm good enough to stand by her side.

I've worked years to win that ring to show her I'm finally the man I need to be for her. No way is she giving it back after less than twenty-four hours. I can't live with that.

"Just…hang on to it for a little while, will you?"

"Okay," she says, no smile in sight this time.

And just that easy…I lose her again.

Chapter Six

One hour later…

Tucker: I don’t like how we ended things.

Tucker: I’m sorry.

Lexi: I know, me too.

Tucker:There’s no one else. Only you.

Tucker: Have a safe flight. Let me know when you touch down.

Lexi:I already miss you. Maybe I made a mistake.

Lexi: Thank you. I will.

Two days later…

Lexi: Image (a picture of the beach from her cabana)

Lexi: I might never come back.

Tucker: Looks like you need to buy it.

Lexi: I KNOW! I usually get excited about an acquisition…but this place is spectacular.

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