Page 104 of Winning the Nightcap

“No.Fuck no.I would have told her that I love her too…that she’s everything to me,” I answer.

“That’swhy I’m helping you. My best friend is your girlfriend, and your best friend is my husband. That puts us on the same team. Life’s messy and you were dealt a really shitty hand. You’re a good guy, Aiden. Bec loves you, and we both know that you feel the same way about her. So, what’s our plan?”

“You don’t think it’s too late?” I ask. It’s what I’ve been scared of since Bec left my apartment after I told her what happened. I asked her to date me, to give me a chance no matter how badly she wanted to avoid letting me in. She was hesitant because she didn’t want to get hurt, and when she risked it all telling me she loved me, I shut her down.

How could she still love me now?

“No matter what happened, Bec’s not the type of person to care about everything being perfect, she just wants it to be real. She wasn’t expecting your response because she didn’t realize what you were going through at the time. But she loves you and wants you to be okay. Don’t throw away a good thing because you can’t tell the difference between your fears and the reality around you. She’s waiting for you to be ready to talk to her. Everyone has been waiting for you to be ready,” Ellie says.

After the divorce, I felt responsible for Mom and Evie.

It’s been just us ever since.

I’m realizing I have more support now than I’ve ever been able to hope for. For the first time in a week, a glimmer of hope flickers in my chest.

“I’m calling this number,” I say, looking down at the card in my hand. “When I figure out how to talk about everything…then I’m calling Bec and making this right.”

I look up at Ellie and Dom, his arm wrapping around her shoulder as he comes to stand beside her and Luca. The approval, relief, and genuine joy I see from them makes that speck of hope inside me grow stronger.

I talk about my family being small, feeling like the absence of my father somehow makes it less than what others have. But the family that raised me, the family of friends I’ve found in Columbus, and the idea of the family I want to build with Bec makes me realize there isn’t a missing piece. Everyone I need is here with me, wanting the best for me, and I’m not ever going to let them doubt the love I have for them in return again.

Chapter Sixty-One

Bec

Three weeks. It’s been three weeks since I’ve seen Aiden.

We still text every day, and I go over to his place to pick up and drop off Hopper when he has to travel for away games. Aiden’s never there.

I miss him.

Last night when I picked up Hopper, before we left to go back to my place, I snuck into Aiden’s bed and ended up napping for an hour. I wanted to feel close to him, and the comfort of being in his space, along with the scent of his bodywash on the sheets, lulled me into a restful sleep. It was the best I’ve slept since I told him I loved him…and he told me I shouldn’t.

I can’t force him to see himself the way I do. I can’t rush him to be ready to talk about how he feels about our relationship. I want him to have the time he needs to work through his thoughts so we can figure out where to go from here. It’s hard to be patient, though.

“Team’s looking great. Playoff talk is circulating the closer we get to the end of the season. Aiden’s looking better tonight too. Haven’t seen a big play like that from him in a while,” Toby says.

I hum in agreement, keeping my response brief and my eyes on theTV. My family doesn’t know the details of everything that’s going on. They know Aiden and I are working through some things, but that it’s taking a backseat while he focuses on his Mom’s health.

I’m not trying to lie or hide things from my family, but at a certain point it feels like this is Aiden’s story. When he’s ready for my family to know about his past and the way it’s affecting his present, then they will. I don’t want to overshare and shed a spotlight on something so vulnerable. The type of hurt he’s experiencing right now, it’s extremely personal. If I want Aiden in my life forever, it’s important to me that his relationship with my family is built slowly over time, genuinely with trust on both sides. I explained all of this when they initially asked for more information, and they instantly backed off, understanding and empathy overtaking their curiosity. Probably a first for my family since we are all nosey as hell when it comes to each other’s personal lives.

“Any word on how Aiden’s mom is doing, hun? Is she feeling better?” Mom asks from her spot next to Dad on the couch. She’s tucked into his side, his arm around her shoulder, her head resting on his shoulder.

“Evie and I talked earlier today. She had a really good visit with her yesterday. Overall, Judy’s had a great week,” I say.

Evie cried when she told me about her first visit to see Judy after everything happened. The relief in her tone was clear. It really was just a horrible day, but that isn’t all that’s left.

I hope Aiden can see that and he finds the strength to face the uncertainty each day brings. I hope he finds comfort knowing how loved he is by his mom, even when her condition forces her to forget.

“That’s great news. I’m sure that’s why he’s looking a little more like himself on the field,” Danny adds.

“When does he come home?” Dad asks.

“He flies in tomorrow night. He’ll be back for a few days before hehas to travel again,” I say.

I’m hoping with every piece of me that Aiden will be ready to see me before he has to leave again. Otherwise, I’ll be waiting another week. A whole fucking month.

Like I said, patience isn’t my specialty. I’m trying my best not to clue him into that when we’re texting, but it’s difficult.

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