Page 78 of The Fine Line
“Like what?”
“Like you might actually suggest what I think you’re about to.”
He exhales. “Care Bear… I just… I don’t ever want to be one of the reasons you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared of you,” I say, but my voice is weaker than I want. My chest flutters.
“Then prove it.”
“Excuse me?”
“Prove it. Don’t give up.”
“How am I giving up?”
“You have a choice.”
My eyes narrow. “Are you seriously suggesting we do this? Go along with their plan?”
“I can think of worse things I could be forced to do.”
“Rhett, no?—”
“I got us into this mess. I’ll do whatever it takes to fix it?—”
“Getting married is not a fix. And it’s not equal punishment for the crime.” I sigh. “Besides, it’s not entirely your fault. I’m the one who got wasted?—”
“Because of the interview?—”
“Which only happened because I was too embarrassed to admit I didn’t get the analyst job.”
Silence.
“You deserved that job,” he says. “You still do.”
“Rhett—”
“People can think what they want about me. I’ve been in the game a long time. But you’re just getting started. I’m not letting you throw it all away. Not because of me.”
“So the only solution is sacrificing three to five years of our lives for a fake PR marriage?”
“Cub, we don’t have to give up our lives. I’ve been thinking about it all day. We’re both so busy. Eight months of the year, it’s hockey. Between traveling, me playing, you working, and offseasons however we want… three to five years will go by in a blink.”
I stare at him for a long time. “You’re… actually serious about this?”
“Look, it’s a shit situation we’ve been put in. And I am so fucking sorry that we’re in it. But it doesn’t have to be a prison sentence. It can be… whatever we want it to be.”
“Whatever we want it to be,” I repeat flatly.
“Yeah. We don’t have to be anything more than what we already are,” he says, voice low. “It doesn’t have to change anything. Just… on paper.”
“Everything would change, Rhett.”
“The change doesn’t have to be bad. We can play our part, please the Storm… then you can stay here, keep your job… and I’ll salvage whatever’s possible of my image. Try to be the captain I’m supposed to be.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Look, Cub, I know it’s insane… but I think it’s what’s best.”
I take a step closer, crossing my arms. “Why would you do this for me?”
“Because it’s you. And the truth is, there could’ve been ahundred other people in that conference room today, and all of their disdain and disappointment in me combined wouldn’t have hurt me as much as knowing I let you down has. And I know you never believe a word I say, but that’s the truth.”
