Page 110 of The One I Want
I look down to Hank. “Yeah, buddy?”
“Are you going to see Betsy tonight?”
I swallow the lump that suddenly appeared in my throat. “I’m sure I will.”
“Can you give this to her?”
I look down at the folded piece of paper. “Absolutely.”
He walks out the door, the normal bounce in his step gone.
I make sure he’s not looking before I open it. Which was the wrong thing to do.
The drawing is of him and Betsy. I’d guess. It’s a boy, wearing a maroon and gold scarf, holding hands with a woman with blonde hair, donning a green and white scarf. They are each holding wands with their other hands, pointing them up to the sky.
I fold it back up, unable to look at it anymore.
The kids were obviously devastated when Cara left. And yes, they cried. They asked questions. They also very much understood it was her decision to leave. Not because I told them it was. But because kids are smart and they see things it sometimes takes adults years to comprehend.
I look out to the car where Emerson is loading them up. She looks back at me, and all I see is disappointment all over her face.
I can’t blame this on Cara. This one is reserved for me.
I’m the disappointment. I’m the one who is causing them pain. But this time I don’t have anyone to blame but myself for their hurt.
I just hope one day they can forgive me.
* * *
“Scotch. Neat.”
The bartender flinches at my tone. Which I get. I basically just barked at the man. I can’t imagine that many other wedding guests are coming up here and aggressively demanding drinks because the idea of being here right now is a personal hell.
A week ago, I couldn’t wait for this wedding. Because Whitley is the sister of my former coach, the guest list is flooded with my old teammates and coaches. And because Jake and Whitley are basically town royalty, the entire town is here. Everyone is happy. Dancing. Smiling as they celebrate the couple.
And then there’s me.
Pissed.
Bitter.
Alone.
I pushed her away.Apparently that’s what I do.I know we aren’t technically broken up, but we aren’t here together. I did that.
And I can’t even be mad at anyone but myself.
I look around, and because whoever is controlling the universe hates me, my eyes land on Betsy. She’s on the dance floor, twirling around Whitley’s nephew, Cameron, who served as ring bearer. He’s Coach McAvoy’s son, so I got to see him a few times over the years. Cute kid. And, by the way he’s looking at Betsy, the boy might have his first crush.
I get it, kid. I absolutely get it.
She looks stunning. It physically hurts to look at her, that’s how beautiful she is in her pale pink dress. Her hair is done and pulled off to the side, leaving her shoulder exposed. My lips are begging me to kiss it. To kiss her.
I just want you to be happy…
I take my scotch and slam it back. I see her begin to look my way, so I quickly turn back to the bar.
“Another.”
