Page 123 of All Too Well
“I’m just curious. I’ve never met her. You came home with Rose and that was sort of it. How did you guys ... get together?”
Lachlan stays quiet for a moment and then sighs. “It wasn’t anything great. We met at a bar on campus. We’d just played in thenational championship. We lost. I was in this weird place because I was still this top draft prospect and then also this top loser. Claire didn’t know a damn thing about sports, but she knew who I was because my face was on posters. We talked, drank a lot, hooked up, and then a month later she found out she was pregnant.”
“And she didn’t want to be a mom?”
His arm tightens a little. “I mean, I don’t think either of us wanted to be parents at that point, but she and I talked, and I was able to take Rose.”
“And you just gave up football?”
“I feel like I gained everything and didn’t lose a damn thing.”
I turn again, resting my hand on his chest, staring into those brown eyes I love so much. “Your life could’ve been a million times different.”
“Sure, but then we wouldn’t be here now.”
I grin. “This is true. I definitely wouldn’t be writing an article on athletes.”
He chuckles. “Yes, this is true.”
“Lach, writing this article, it’s something I want to get right. Not just for me, but for Rose and you. I won’t let you down.”
“It’s why I’m glad it’s you who came, for several reasons. The sex especially.”
I laugh and then wrap myself tighter around him. “I could stay here with you forever.”
Before he can say anything else, the back lights flip on, and his father’s voice booms in the quiet.
“Who’s out here?”
twenty-six
Lachlan
My entire body goes tight at the sound of my father’s voice.
Ainsley pushes up. “Hi, Mr. West. It’s me, Ainsley.”
“Ainsley? Oh, hi, dear.”
“Sorry, I used the secret passage. I didn’t know you were home,” she admits.
My dad takes a few steps closer, the light brightening from behind him. “I got home about an hour ago. I didn’t know you were visiting.”
Another step. One more and I won’t be able to stay hidden.
“Yeah, umm, I’ll head back.”
“No need, you know you’re always welcome. Isabelle loved when you’d sneak over.”
The way he says my mother’s name makes me want to rage. How dare he talk about her as though he cared or knew what she loved. He would’ve had to be here, know her, give a shit about what she wanted to know that.
I move, coming out of the darkness.
His eyes widen. “Lachlan? Is that ... ?”
“We’ll be leaving now,” I say, taking Ainsley’s hand.
“Wait, please ... you don’t have to leave. Your mother would want you to visit.”
