Page 101 of The Romance Game

“I thought you came here from Mobile?”

“I moved there after I found out I was pregnant because my dad’s rig is on the coast.”

“Oh, so Montgomery?” I scratch my head, not loving the idea of her and Luke being so far away.

“Yeah,” she says softly.

As if coming out of a sudden fog, I tap my coffee cup against hers. “Congratulations. That’s great. Your boss must miss you and appreciate you.”

“Yeah,” Harley repeats.

We’re both quiet for a moment that stretches longer than is comfortable. I’ve heard in movies and on shows, couples talking about being comfortable in silence when with their significant other. This is the opposite. It’s like we both have the same question but are afraid to ask.

“It used to just be me that I had to think about. My life and future. But now with Luke too, I have to consider what’s best for him, you know?”

“Yeah, of course. Family first.”

Sadness fills Harley’s amber eyes.

“I’ve always admired how strong and independent you are.”

Harley’s shoulders droop. “Yeah, but I wound up right back where I started.”

I rub her arm and then gesture at our surroundings. “Is this so bad?”

“But it’s not mine. Your grandfather left this to you.”

My jaw feels shaky. I thought it was becoming our thing. The words don’t form though.

More silence follows until I ask, “So what’s next for us?”

Harley turns to me. If I didn’t see what was coming before, I do now. Her eyes aren’t filled with mirth or mischief, like usual. No, there’s something else there that tells me she’s looking toward a future without me in it.

“I shouldn’t have let my guard down. This has all been great, but doesn’t it seem like we have an expiration date? Like this is too good to be true?”

I stagger back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re leaving to go back to the team and I have this job offer.”

“What about this island? This place?” I gesture at our surroundings. “It’s ours. Plus, Miami isn’t far. Can you work from home or—?” No sooner are the words out of my mouth, that I realize what I’m asking her to give up.

She looks away. “What if we just keep going back and forth, a battle of the wills? I’m not sure we’re good for each other.”

During a legendary game against the Arizona Thunderbirds, their punter came out of nowhere and ran the ball down the field toward their own endzone, giving us two points. It all happened so fast and unexpectedly, we stood there, stunned. I feel that way now.

Only, during that game, the strategy was to run down the clock. I don’t know what play to make or what Harley’s strategy is, only that it has taken me completely off guard.

Trying to loosen the tightness in my throat, I say, “You have a point.”

“My focus has to be on Luke. I probably shouldn’t get so swept up in treasure hunting, business running, you.” Harley’s voice wobbles.

“I understand,” I whisper.

Her expression crumbles.

I can’t help but take her in my arms and give her one final hug. Before she pulls away, I kiss the top of her head, then she’s gone.

I lean against the wall and then slide down, dropping to sitting. I’m not sure how long I remain there, feeling hollowed out, lost, alone. My thoughts don’t go anywhere good.

---