Page 115 of Love on the Byline

He looked up at him. “You don’t even understand what justhappened.”

“You want to pump the breaks on the melodrama and fill me in?”

“I just…I can’t believe I talked about that night. Withher.” He felt exposed, vulnerable in a way he hadn’t felt in years.

Bran reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “I’mproud of you, for what it’s worth.”

“It’s worth a lot.” He squeezed back. “But I don’t want youto think that night is the only reason I’m out here with you. I’m better withyou around. You...you push me, too. Keep me from disappearing into theshadows.”

“Hey, Bran said, getting to his feet. “My light shines enoughfor both of us, for now. Pretty soon, you’ll start twinkling, too.”

26

Blake didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or pack up her shitand go. Ollie confused her. One minute, he was sweet and funny and looking outfor her, the next he was breaking her heart by opening up about a dark chapterin his past. He seemed to withdraw into himself as he spoke, and she’d neverseen him like that before.

Then there was Bran who seemed to have no problems reapingthe benefits of Ollie’s gratitude. Whether he felt bad for that or not,acknowledged it or not, the fact was that he’d allowed it to go on. Ollie beingat his beck and call.

However misguided, those two looked out for each other nomatter what. She was glad Ollie had someone like that in his life, even if shefelt he was being taken for granted.

She tossed her stuff on the bed, and there was a soft knockon the door.

Blake wasn’t sure if it was wise to be alone with Ollie.Wasn’t sure how she should even feel about last night, or this morning.

These two men had just sat there and explained that Olliedid everything for Bran. That would likely include coaxing the reluctantreporter to come to La Jolla and do this story on him.

She opened the door.

It wasn’t Ollie.

“Can we talk?” Bran said.

If there had been any trace of the movie star about him, sheprobably would have told him she was busy. Instead, she stepped back and lethim in.

He strolled through the French doors, his hands on his hips,and turned to face her. “I know I can’t change what I said or did back atschool, but I want you to know that I’m sorry. My actions hurt you and put youin a difficult position with the paper and with the Dean and, honestly, none ofthat crossed my mind. The only thing I was focused on at the time was playing withmy team. Your article about the scholarships would have stopped that fromhappening.”

“Would you do it again?” she asked. “If we were back incollege now, would you sell me out so you could go play soccer?”

To his credit, he didn’t answer right away. “Honestly, yes.I’d like to say no, but there was a lot of pressure on us to win thechampionship, and a lot of guys were dependent on that money to get theireducation. Ollie included.”

She let that sink in. “Thanks for being honest.”

He shrugged. “I try to be that all the time. It’s just thatpeople don’t always like what they hear.”

“Fair enough.” She sat on the small sofa in the living area.

Bran took one of the armchairs. “I’m curious aboutsomething, though. The texts Ollie sent for me.” His mouth curved into ahalf-smile. “What gave it away?”

“Ollie is... His brain works differently than yours, the wayhe communicates.”

“He’s different from anyone I know.”

“Same,” she admitted. “I wish he hadn’t lied for you.”

“As long as you recognize that he did it for me. He’d doanything for me.”

“And you take full advantage of that.”

Bran took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’reright. And I’m going to work on that, but I came in here to... Look, Blake, Ivalue his friendship just as much as he values mine. He’s been loyal to me likeno one else in my life, and I’m sorry if that’s interfering with whatever mightbe happening between the two of you.”

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