Page 87 of Rainbow Kisses

“Rain—”

“—start fresh. I’m glad you came to say goodbye this time.” I made sure my expression was pleasant. Such shitty word. “Thank you for that. I appreciate you not?—”

“No. Not goodbye.” His expression set in lines of determination as he leaned closer. “I’m not walking away this time. Not after the last few weeks. You and I can make this work. I just need time to get my sister set up. Just a couple weeks.”

That didn’t sound so bad. A couple weeks. But I could tell he didn’t believe what he was saying. I saw the truth in his eyes. He knew it would take a lot longer than a couple of weeks to get this sorted. His family needed him. I knew all about family needing you.

But right now, I wasn’t feeling generous and understanding. Because anger continued to build. Anger at him for leaving and anger at myself for not realizing what’d been coming.

“I’m sure you already talked to Rowdy about releasing you from your contract.”

He grimaced. “With Rebel leaving too, I can’t ask him to hold a spot open. The team needs players. And I don’t know exactly how long this’ll take. I need to make sure Linny and Maddy are okay before I leave them.”

But he knew I’d be okay when he left me. Because of course, I would. And even though my heart was shriveling into a tiny little ball of anguish, I forced a smile and nodded. “Of course you do. I hope everything works out for them.”

“Rain.” The growl in his voice made my thighs clench, which pissed me off. He shouldn’t get to talk to me like that anymore. He was leaving me. “Don’t count me out this time. I know Ifucked up last time by not sticking around, but I’m not giving up that easily now.”

Sure. I nodded. Smiled. As if I believed him and he hadn’t walked away last time.

“Tell Maddy I said bye. Tell her she’s welcome to come to a game whenever she wants. Same for you. Just let me know if you want tickets.”

The frustration on his face made him even more handsome. That shouldn’t be allowed.

“God damn it, Rain.” He leaned closer, the longing on his face nearly making me crumble. But I couldn’t. I was so pissed off at myself that I’d allowed myself to believe him. That I’d let myself fall for another hockey player who wasn’t as committed to me as I was to him. “I’ll be back. I know you don’t believe me, and I don’t blame you. And I don’t expect you to wait for me. But I will come back, and I will show you that you can depend on me. I’ll earn your trust. And I won’t leave again unless you fucking tell me to go.”

Then he turned and walked out the door.

“Hi,sweetheart? I was wondering if you’d like to go to lunch.”

I looked up from my desk at the arena, surprised to see my mom in my office doorway.

“What are you doing here?”

Her wry smile and raised eyebrows made me want to take back my words. Even I’d been able to hear the shortness in them.

“Last I checked, I still was a majority owner in the team.”

I shook my head, trying to shake the frown away. “Sorry, I didn’t mean—That didn’t come out right.” I rose and walked around the desk to give my mom a hug. I hadn’t seen her fora few days. Actually, I hadn’t seen her since Brian had left. The team had been away all weekend, and I’d turned down her invitation to dinner Saturday night, pleading a headache, which had seemed lame even to me. Mom had taken my rejection to easily.

Which explained her unusual visit to the office.

She hugged me tight and patted my back, like I was a child in need in comfort. She wasn’t wrong. I just didn’t want to cry in front of my mom.

I had managed to stave off tears so far. This situation was my own fault.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hello, sweetheart. How are you?”

I took a step back and managed a smile. “I’m fine. What’s up? What can I do for you? Did I miss a meeting for the carnival?”

Shit, had I missed a meeting? I’d been so focused on the team and our decision—and yes, trying not to think about Brian—that maybe my famous laser focus had finally failed me. And that was unacceptable.

“I don’t think I have anything written?—”

“Rain, honey. It’s okay you haven’t missed anything.”

I took a deep breath, realizing now how frantic I’d sounded, which is probably why my mom was looking at me with that sympathetic stare. I didn’t need sympathy.

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