Page 127 of How to Prevent a Fumble

“I did.”

“And you don’t now.” It’s not a question.

He just looks at me. Doesn’t confirm nor deny.

“Get out,” I tell him, about to get up and slam the door in his stupid fucking face.

“Briar—”

“No.”

Making my way to the door, I attempt to close it, but he blocks me. “Briar please.”

“I don’t want to speak to you. I’ll be gone the second I can.”

“Briarwait!”his voice thunders through the room, and I flinch back a touch before collecting myself.

His face is inches from mine, his eyes wild. “I want to love you for the rest of my life.”

“I—”

“I want to love you for the rest of my life, Briar.”

“Then why are you pushing me away?”

“Because you were pushing me away first.” His face falls, pain flooding his eyes. “I’ve lost everything, Briar.”

I shake my head. “You haven’t lost everything. You’ve lost a small portion of time. An insignificant amount of time really, Leo. The end of a football season. Not two, not three. You’ve lost two months of football. Two.”

“I was losing you.”

“No, no you weren’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

As I watch his green eyes peer through me, I know that he means it. For once, he means something he’s saying.

Just because he’s gone into crisis mode and decided that the one thing he can control is pushing people away, doesn’t mean that I have to put up with it. It doesn’t mean that I deserve it, and it sure as hell doesn’t mean that I have to forgive him.

Breaking eye contact, I back away, turning and heading to the chair at the very far side of the room. Sitting, I rest my elbow on the armrest, perching my head on my fist.

My head knows that I’m going to regret what I do next. I know it.

But my heart needs it more than it needs blood.

“Get on your hands and knees,” I demand, my voice monotone.

“Excuse me?” he says, his face twisting in confusion.

“I said, get on your hands and knees, Leo.”

He breathes deeply, looking around the room before he does as he’s told. The big guy falls to his knees, the floor shaking slightly as he does. It’s hard for him with the boot, but he manages.

When he drops to his hands, his eyes flash to mine, his lips a thin line.

And I smirk. “Now crawl to me.”

Without a word, Leo does as he’s told. A part of me had hoped he’d argue. Hoped he’d say no, get up, and leave.

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