Page 183 of The Fine Line

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I pause, forcing the words out in a flat voice. “I feel like I don’t know anything.”

“What do you mean?”

A thousand thoughts fly through my head—a monologue’s worth of accusations, insults, and fury. But as I open my mouth to say them, I realize?—

The last thing I want to do is give Rhett another second of my time.

I force myself to look at him. His head tilts, confused.

“Do you mean for the game tomorrow?” he asks. “You don’t feel like you know anything… about Chicago?”

“Yeah,” I lie.

Or do I?

I know about Chicago. But Rhett’s Chicago?

I’m still completely in the dark.

“I’m way behind,” I mutter. “I need to go get my head on straight.”

He moves to block me gently, brows furrowed. “Do you have to go now?”

“Unless there’s something you want to tell me.”

His expression shifts. “About Chicago?”

“About anything.”

He studies me. Then steps closer.

“You know,” he says softly. “Thereissomething.”

I brace.

“I love you.”

It hits me like a slap.

“And you don’t have to say it back,” he adds, a smile tugging at his lips. “I just need you to hear it. Need you to know.”

I swallow hard. “Well, I hear you.”

He reaches for me again, brushing my cheek with the back of his fingers.

I turn away.

“I have to go,” I say.

And I do.

I storm for the door, swinging it open.

“Caroline?”

I stop.

“Is everything okay?”

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