Page 94 of Win Big

Maybe... he even cares about me. A little. He does things for me, like bringing me coffee, and cleaning my kitchen. When we’re in bed (or the shower) he’s thoughtful and generous and focused on giving me what I need.

But thinking thoughts like that will get in me in trouble. He doesn’t care about his reputation. He thinks life is a big party. Well, okay, knowing that his friend died so young, I get that now. But still, life is about goals and accomplishments and making people proud of you.

I miss him.

How pathetic.

We saw each other a bunch of times during the All Star break, and now the team is off on a road trip to Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. They’ll be back tomorrow, Friday, and it’s crazy that I can’t wait to see him.

I have lots to keep me busy at work, meetings with stakeholders, proposals to review, reports to write, so I’m putting in some long hours. I do go to yoga class on Wednesday night because I know yoga’s good for me. And I’ve set up our next family meeting to discuss progress on ending the stupid family feud. Tonight I’m going out with Lacey. I need to talk to someone.

Wyatt texts me a few times while he’s away, so I know he’s thinking about me too. His parents flew to Montreal for the game there, and he’s clearly happy to spend some time with them. I’m trying to keep things casual and breezy, though, sending him funny GIFs and memes instead of sad face emojis and telling him how much I miss him.

I meet Lacey at Food for Thought again, one of our favorite places.

“I need a big glass of wine,” I announce, picking up the menu.

“Uh-oh. Bad day at the office?”

“Nah, just busy. I’m kind of stressed about something else, though.”

“Wyatt?”

My head snaps up. “Why do you say that?”

She smiles. “Wild guess.”

I choose a Sauvignon Blanc and she orders the same.

“Okay, what’s up?” She eyes me expectantly. “Why are you stressed?”

“I have a little problem.”

“Mmmhmm.”

“I think I’m falling for him.”

“Is he why you bailed on yoga class Saturday? Taylor told me.”

“Yeah. He asked me to go to the zoo with him.”

“Aw. So why is this such a problem?” Her forehead furrows. “He doesn’t feel the same?”

“I don’t know. We haven’t had that conversation yet, and I don’t know if we should. I mean, I think he likes me. We didn’t have to keep seeing each other once we’d done our duty for the team.” I roll my eyes. “But...” I drop my eyes to my hands on the table. “There’s something I’ve never told you about.”

I don’t speak for so long, she asks dryly, “Are you going to tell me now? Or you just wanted to let me know you have a secret...”

I give a short laugh. “I’ll tell you some of it.” I sit back so the waiter can place my wineglass in front of me. I reach for it and take a gulp. “Lovely,” I say, though I barely tasted it.

Lacey snorts.

“Okay. When I was sixteen, I got involved with a... a man.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “A man?”

“Yes.” I clear my throat. “He played for the Condors.”

“You weresixteen?”

---