Page 111 of Courtside

“I didn’t think of how,” he started. “Sage, I’m so sorry, I —”

“This thing between us? It’s built on mutual respect. I come to you already whole — flawed maybe, but still complete, and you come to me the same. That’s why it works, David. My life has been so much better with you in it, but don’t think for a second that Ineedyou. And now that you’ve done this, what do you think it tells me about what you think of me? Do you really think I’m so incapable that I can’t start my career on my own merit? Because if that’s what you think, I honestly don’t want you around right now.”

Tears streaked over his cheeks and disappeared into the shadows of his stubbled cheeks. “Please, Sage.”

A sob tore from her chest. “I think you should go.”

David nodded, turning toward the door.

“Wait,” Sage called, willing her body into motion.

David stilled.

She went to Daisy, still tucked under David’s muscled arm, and lowered to give the dog a kiss on the nose. “Love you, Daisy girl,” she whispered.

Daisy let out a whimper and licked Sage right across the mouth.

Sage turned away and listened to the door click shut behind her.

CHAPTER29

NOT A CHOCOLATE KIND OF PROBLEM

DAVID

“You fucked up.”

David sat on Chuck’s couch, his face buried in his hands. “I know, but —”

“I’m an asshole and even I know you fucked up,” Tommy added from where he sat in one of the arm chairs that framed the large picture window on one side of Chuck’s living room. Chuck sat in the other.

“I’m not arguing with the fact that I fucked up,” David said, shooting a glare at Tommy. “All that I’m saying is thatallof us got help along the way.” He pointed at Chuck. “You got hired by the same coach who’d just spent four years seeing what a good leader you were. Your character and skill was what ultimately got you the job, but theconnectionwas what got you in the door in the first place.”

Chuck shook his head. “Of courseweknow that, David. But does Sage? We’re all on the other side of it looking back on those years. That wasten years ago, man. We can acknowledge the calls our mentors made and the help we got because we’ve ultimately found success down the line that we earned with our own merit.”

David frowned, pressing the heel of his hand into his sternum where a steady ache had taken up residence ever since Sage had compared him to that absolute piece of shit who’d hurt her.

He honestly hadn’t thought it would be a big deal.

But goddamnit, he’d been wrong. He thought she’d be upset, sure — he wasn’t a complete idiot — but he’d counted on her understanding. That she’d be able to see where he was coming from. David knew that Sage was going to be a good coach. He knew it so deeply in his bones that he didn’t think twice about calling a friend on her behalf.

The truth was that he wouldn’t have called if he hadn’t believed in her. He didn’t have a single doubt that once she had the opportunity in front of her, Sage would prove herself a million times over. But now? His actions had hurt her more deeply than he’d ever considered.

“Have you talked to her?” Chuck asked, his expression kind.

David shook his head. “She told me that she didn’t want me around.”

“So then give her some space to cool down,” Tommy shrugged. “Then you go and bring her chocolate and talk it out and then you’re all good.”

“I don’t think this is a chocolate kind of problem.”

Tommy tousled his hair with one hand, making the whole front poof up in a way that looked completely ridiculous. “So how are you going to fix it?”

“I don’t know,” David admitted.

Chuck looked thoughtful. “I’d start by apologizing.”

“If she told you she needed space, then I’d start by giving it to her. Based on experience, I’d listen to what she says.” Tommy shrugged.

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