Page 93 of Rewind It Back

“You really were being a needy asshole, but I told my boss you wanted to meet in person, and he was fine to cover the travel expenses.”

He hesitates. “And are you fine? With your work schedule? Please don’t miss shifts on my account.”

“Tyler is paying me overtime to hang out with you, which, by the way, is the only reason I’m willing to do it.”

“Damn. Keep me humble, Hal. I really was going to cave on the whole in-person thing, but I’m glad I didn’t.”

“Hey, Hallie!” someone yells into the phone.

“Sorry, that was Zee,” Rio says.

“Wait. Are you still on the plane?”

“Yeah. Just landed. Sitting on the tarmac and waiting to park.”

“Oh, I’ll let you go.”

“You don’t have to,” he says quietly.

That makes my heart skip in a way it most definitely shouldn’t. But I also feel a bit weird being on the phone with him while he’s with all his teammates. The same ones I serve when they come into the bar. Regardless of what Tyler said, that part still feels a little embarrassing.

“I need to get back to work. Text me when you figure out what day I should meet you and where. And Rio, just so you know, I’m going to be so annoyed with you if this whole thing ends up being the epitome of the phrase, ‘it could’ve been an email.’”

“Well, then.” His voice gains a gruff edge. “I’ll be sure to make it worth your time.”

Chapter 19

Rio

I’m the first one on the team bus after our afternoon game against New York. Even though our hotel is only ten blocks away, and the walk could potentially be shorter, it’s team policy to take the bus back.

My knees are bouncing while I wait for the rest of my teammates to finish their showers and postgame interviews because all I want to do is get back to the hotel.

Tonight is the night Hallie flies in to meet me. It’s been about a week and a half since we kissed, and I’ve been impatiently waiting to see her ever since. Wondering if she regrets that night or if, like me, she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about it.

I don’t know what the hell happened or when it all shifted so dramatically. Maybe it was having her in my home for the first time, or when she helped watch my friends’ kids. Or maybe it’s the culmination of the time we’ve been spending together that’s reminded me of how much I missed her. Missedus. But the things I was so angry about only a month or two ago now seem inconsequential and unimportant.

All I know is that I want to see her, to be around her.

I was tempted to tell her the best day to meet me was the day after I left because that’s how impulsive I’m feeling with her, but I didn’t want Hallie to miss a Friday or Saturday night shift at the bar, assuming those are the nights she makes the most in tips.

Plus, choosing today means we have the night off, and with multiple teams within driving distance, we’re staying in the city for an entire week, instead of only a night or two like we do whenever we travel anywhere else.

I just had to be patient, which isn’t always my strong suit.

As I wait for the rest of my teammates, my phone rings. I’m expecting to see Hallie’s name on the screen, maybe calling to tell me she checked into the hotel, but it’s not her. It’s my mom.

I’ll admit, I haven’t been answering her calls as often as I usually do, and that’s entirely due to the fact she doesn’t know Hallie moved to Chicago. I don’t want to tell her, but I’m also terrible at lying to the woman.

Hence the avoidance, but it’s Sunday and I don’t go a Sunday without speaking to her.

So, I answer the phone. “Hey, Ma.”

“Hey, Ma?” she asks, outraged. “Hey, Ma? You avoid my calls all week and when you finally answer it’s with a ‘Hey, Ma’?”

I laugh. “Your accent gets thicker when you’re pissed.”

“Oh, you little shit. You’re going to put me in an early grave. You know that?”

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