Page 76 of Face Off
“Okay,” he says, breaking the trap my mind has formed. With that, I stand to move toward his office door. “Hayley, have you told him who you are yet?”
I stop in my tracks, glancing over my shower as if a cold bucket has been splashed over me. I haven’t told Brooks my real last name. He’s asked why Camden’s is different from mine but has now chalked it up to it being Boyce’s real last name. When in fact, it’s all a lie. And I continue to let him believe that lie. Allowing the guilt to slowly eat away at me as I watch him build a closer bond to Camden. Making me fall even more in love with each day.
“You have to tell him,” he says firm as if taking my silence for the answer.
With a firm nod, I grasp the doorknob, turning it and leaving his office. I know I have to tell Brooks the truth. But when? I’ve been saying to myself to wait for the right moment, yet is anytime the right moment?
The guilt eats more and more away from me each day that I continue to keep my secret. I’ve waited too long. I know. But is it wrong of me to not want to ruin a good thing? Brooks is the man I want Camden to have in his life. Being a Richards or not shouldn’t influence his opinion of me at all. Yet, I know deep down, he will judge me. He won’t love me for me anymore. He’ll be like all the others. Work the system until he gets what hewants. Then once he’s through, he’ll leave. Just like they all do. And where does that leave Camden and me? Heartbroken and alone to pick up the pieces all over again.
But regardless. Decision made. I’m going to tell Brooks tonight, and he can either accept me for me, Hayley Richards, or leave me high and dry. While I’m hoping it’s option A, I know that no matter what, it’s time.
Whether he’ll still love me, have me, or not.
???
“Hey, you ready?” Brooks says, sneaking up behind me, causing me to jump.
His hands snake around my waist as my back rests against his front. It’s little moments like these that I savor. I’m not sure how many I’ll have left after I drop another big bomb on him. Relaxing into him, I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Yeah. Just thinking,” I say, looking back at him slightly.
“Everything okay?” he asks as I turn around in his arms. My arms wrapping around his neck, his hands not moving from my waist.
“Yeah,” I say, pressing my forehead into his chest. “Um, hey. When we get settled in Arizona, I think we should talk.”
“Why not talk now?”
Okay. This is it. Just tell him the truth, Hayley. Say it. My real name is Hayley Richards. Hayley Richards, say it. Say your real name. I pull out of his grasp as I try to steady my racing heart. This is it. Time to sink or swim.
“Brooks, I have to tell you…”
“Yo! Brooks. Hayley. Y’all ready to roll. We have a flight to catch,” Channing says as the front door to Brooks’ condo slams shut.
Brooks looks at me with worry etched across his face. “Yeah, we’ll be right there,” he says before turning back to me. “We’ll talk,” he says, coming forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Promise. Now let’s not keep the man waiting. God knows he’s impatient as fuck.”
“But Brooks…”
“I promise. We’ll talk as soon as we land.”
His lips place a chaste kiss on my forehead before he turns, leaving the bathroom. I watch his retreating back as I silently curse under my breath. I have to tell him before this all blows up in my face. My father is right. I waited too long, and if I have any chance at salvaging what we have left, then I need to do it.
No matter if it breaks my heart.
Hayley
The first five games of the finals have been intense, the series now, 3-2 leaving the Skipjacks one game away from winning it all. When our flight lands in Arizona, I think I’m going to get the chance to tell Brooks everything. But he’s whisked away in a hurry for pre-game prep. Leaving me alone to stew in my emotions.
We’ve barely seen each other the past week and a half, besides to sleep and recharge for the next string of games. It’s exhausting. Emotionally, physically, and mentally. I feel it, and I know Brooks is definitely feeling it. Especially since Boyce and he have been going at it like cats and dogs on the ice. You can almost cut the tension with a knife.
“Hey,” Brooks whispers as he rolls onto his side, pulling me in close to his body.
We’re back in Seattle with two rest days before Game 6 later this week. Though there hasn’t been any downtime. Which also means there’s little chance to talk to Brooks privately. It’s been all hands on deck since we’re literally one game away from winning.
“Morning,” I say, snuggling into his chest. “What time do you have to be at the arena for morning skate?”
“In an hour,” he says as I hike my leg over his hip, pulling myself up to straddle him. “But I like where this is going currently.”
I lean forward, my lips finding his in a heated kiss. My tongue glides along his bottom lip as his lips part, allowing me entry, dancing with one another. His hands roam down my side before resting on my ass, giving it a good squeeze as I moan against his lips.
“This wasn’t supposed to turn into this,” I say, smiling against his lips as he continues to kiss me.
