Page 93 of Wildcat
“I saw,” he says quietly. “The hockey player.”
“His name is Leo.”
“Right.”
“Is that why you’re here? You saw that I moved on and decided you suddenly cared that I left?”
“I never stopped caring, Scarlett. You knew I couldn’t chase after you.”
It’s true. I did know that. Still, I hoped he would.
“This is the first chance I’ve had to see you, and here I am.” His smile is crooked and tentative, and it hits me that he’s as nervous as I am.
“You shouldn’t have. Too much time has passed. I’m happy.”
“It’s serious then, with you and this Leo?”
I don’t answer right away, and Rhyse moves closer. “I love you, Scarlett. If there’s any part of you that still loves me too, then give me another chance.”
“What will your team say about that?” I ask and cross my arms at my stomach.
“I’ll deal with them.”
A flash of anger bolts through me, and I curl my hands into fists. Now he’ll deal with them? I get that people make mistakes, and maybe my leaving did help him realize what he wanted, but to have him just wave away the biggest reason we didn’t work, like it’s an easy fix, straight pisses me off. If he’d dealt with them six months ago, we’d still be together.
It’s that thought that calms me. I’m not a big believer in things happening for a reason, but if he hadn’t broken my heart, I wouldn’t be here in Minnesota with my family.
I’m going to be an aunt! One that gets to see my little nephew or niece any time I want. My heart is here. And yeah, Leo’s a part of that.
Leo freaking Lohan. The guy I never wanted to fall for, but totally have. I like that he’s so quick to apologize when he messes up, that he doesn’t make me guess how he’s feeling or where his head is at, and most of all, I like who I am with him. Slowly, I’ve let my guard down, and he’s earned my trust.
It’s scary, and I have no idea if he’s falling as hard for me as I am him, but I want to see where things go.
“I’m happy here, Rhyse. Being in Minnesota close to my family and, yes, with Leo. The breakup was good for both of us.”
He nods slowly. “I have to leave for Austin tonight, but I want to see you again before I fly back home.”
“Rhyse—”
He cuts off my protest. “Think about everything I said. It will be different this time.”
He tucks my hair behind my ear and leans forward to brush a soft kiss on my lips that startles and surprises me.
“What the hell?” Jade’s voice has Rhyse pulling back. My best friend glares at him. I lift shaky hands to my lips.
“Hi, Jade. Good to see you.” Rhyse stands to greet her.
My best friend is not messing around. “The feeling is not mutual.”
Rhyse looks back at me. “I should go.”
I get to my feet to say goodbye. He comes in like he’s going to kiss me again, and I turn my face, so he kisses my cheek. “I’ll leave a ticket for you at will call. Give me another chance.”
He starts back down the street. Jade doesn’t even wait until he’s out of earshot before she starts going off about him.
“What the hell is he doing here?”
“US Grand Prix this weekend.” I think I’m in a daze. Did that just happen?
