Page 107 of Broken Hearts
He snorts. “Just a twenty-four-hour drive. I checked. Looked at flights too but our training is crazy. And it’s a two hour drive just to the airport. There isn’t even a McDonald’s in this town.”
“Oh man, you really are roughing it,” I tease.
“So… the doctor cleared you for today?” he asks.
“Yeah, once I told him I’d taken out all the difficult jumps, he and coach were both good with it. I’ve been feeling stronger every day.”
“Was changing the routine your idea?”
“Yeah. It isn’t worth the risk for a showcase event.”
He grins. “Look at you, growing and shit.”
I roll my eyes, but I guess he’s right. A few months ago, I would have been tempted to push through even when I knew my body was weak. My phone pings with a text from my sister telling me they’re walking in the building.
“I gotta go. My family is here.”
“Hey, wait.” His face gets closer to the screen. “Forget about everything going on with Rufus. Today is your day to shine.”
My chest aches at the mention of Rhett.
“Kill it.” He makes a cross over his heart and I mimic. “Good luck.”
“I never understood why you two do that.” A deep voice echoes in the quiet hallway as I end the call.
“Rhett.” I scramble to my feet and hug him. I wasn’t sure he’d come and wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it if he did. I want to be angry that he ran last night, but I’m too happy to see him.
“Hey, angel.” He wraps me in his arms and smooths a hand down the back of my head.
“I wasn’t sure you were still coming.” I tilt my face up to him and he places a kiss on my forehead.
“I’m sorry about last night, but I wouldn’t miss it. You’ve got a whole fan club out there. Dakota and Reagan even brought signs.”
I smile. I knew Dakota and Reagan were planning to come, but hearing it confirmed makes my heart squeeze.
“I’m so glad you’re here. Today is going to be amazing. By the way, how do you feel about Italian for dinner? My dad has his heart set on some restaurant he saw driving through town.”
He smiles. “About that...”
“Too much? Do you not want to hang out with my family?”
“It isn’t that.” He blows out a breath. “I’m leaving Valley, Sienna.”
“What do you mean? For the night or… the weekend?”
“For… I don’t know. School is almost done. I talked to my advisor this morning and he said I could finish my classes online and still graduate next month. I’m flying out this afternoon.”
All the air is knocked from my lungs. “I don’t understand. Can’t you wait one more month to finish out the school year?”
“I need to go home and deal with my shit. It isn’t fair for me to keep clinging to you like a life raft. I’ll take us both down if I keep going this way.”
“I want to be your life raft or at least your arm floaties.”
I get a small smile but can tell he’s already decided he’s leaving, and I can’t stop him.
“What about us?”
“I hope you can understand, but I get it if you can’t. The last thing I want is to hurt you or bring more stress on your life.”
