Page 136 of Second-Rate Superstar

Braxton, can we please talk about this? I don’t like how we left things.

I never meant to hurt you.

Tears burned behind my eyes as I composed the final message.

I love you.

Desperate after two weeks, I tried calling again.

This time, an automated message responded on the other end of the line. “The person you are calling is not accepting calls right now.”

Stunned, I stared down at my phone. I knew what that meant.

Braxton had blocked mynumber.

My first attempt at speaking to Braxton in person was foiled when I went to his place, and Levi gave me a shit-eating grin before telling me he’d moved out. Cornering him at the practice rink and bringing our drama to his place of work seemed like a bad idea, so I went to the only other place he might be hiding.

I knew it was a long shot, but I was desperate.

Pulling up to the gatehouse of the community where Jaxon and Natalie lived, I gave my name to the attendant. I could only imagine Braxton had confided in Natalie, so was surprised when I was given clearance for entry.

Parking my car, I stepped hesitantly to the front door. What if she only let me in so she could yell at me? To tell me what a horrible person I was for what I’d done to Braxton? He was her brother-in-law, and I knew they were close. There was no question she would take his side.

Knocking lightly, not wanting to add a further offense of waking a sleeping baby, I took a cleansing breath.

Moments later, the door opened, and there stood Natalie.

Not bothering with pleasantries, I blurted, “I need to see Braxton. Is he here?”

A sad, sympathetic smile graced Natalie’s pretty face. “Oh, honey. He’s gone.”

“Gone?”

“He requested a trade from the Comets. He left a few weeks ago.”

Placing a hand to my stomach, I felt like I might be sick. “Where?”

I was hopeful it was somewhere close, like Boston or New York, and I could get in my car, drive to him tonight, and hash this out before it wastoo late. But that was squashed when Natalie replied, “Indianapolis. He now plays for the Indy Speed.”

My heart sank. That was at least twelve hours away. But I was determined to speak to him. I couldn’t just accept that we were done. At the very least, he deserved my apology and to know that I was doing everything in my power to make it right.

I would get in the car first thing tomorrow morning. That was the only option.

“I read the book,” Natalie said softly, drawing my attention.

Ashamed, my cheeks heated. “I never meant to hurt him.”

“I know that.” She reached for my hand. “It was beautifully written, for what it’s worth.”

“Doesn’t matter,” I muttered.

“The thing about trauma is that it triggers you when you least expect it. The tiniest thing can set you off and cause a complete overreaction.” Natalie sighed. “Trust me, I’ve been there. When you look back on it, you realize how ridiculous the whole thing was, but in that moment, the world is falling apart, and you can’t see reason. That’s what’s happening with Braxton right now. He’s scared, throwing up his walls and isolating himself. And I hate that for him.”

“It’s all my fault.”

Squeezing my hand, Natalie reassured me, “We all make mistakes. It’s how we react and move forward that defines us.”

“I’m going to go out there tomorrow and fix this. I promise.”

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