“You guys all set?” I can’t tear my eyes off of Callaghan, who is getting closer and closer to the exit. “I, uh, have to excuse myself for a minute.”
Xavier follows my line of sight. “Oh, thank heavens. Go talk to the bloke, will you? He’s been downright miserable. I dunno what transpired but he needs an attitude adjustment, right quick.”
Ophelia squeezes my hand. “Good luck, and don’t hurry back.”
Lucky for me, the bridal table is near the door, so I’m able to catch up to Callaghan without too much difficulty. From behind, I grab his left elbow and pull him into the bathroom, spinning him around and pressing my back to the door before he can leave.
“Resorting to kidnapping now? I should have realized how low you’d go for a story.”
I recoil, his words landing the blow they were meant to. “Five minutes.”
“Two.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
Great. I don’t even have time to think about what I’m going to say. “You didn’t let me explain.”
“There was nothing to say.”
“Um, yeah. There was a lot to say. You didn’t even give me the chance. You took off and blocked me.”
“I didn’t block you.” His eyes are cold and bitter. That admission hurts worse.
“So you’ve seen my texts and calls. You’ve just ignored them.” This makes me more livid than I ever thought possible. I envisioned that he was so hurt that he couldn’t bear to be in contact with me.
But no, he just ignored me. Pretended I wasn’t there, even though he could clearly see my attempts at apologies and explanations.
He simply chose not to see me anymore. Like I didn’t matter. My blood starts to simmer.
“I told you, I have nothing to say to you.”
“Then just listen, for Pete’s sake. Yes, I made that video. I was upset. I should have deleted it immediately. Hell, I shouldn’t have even recorded it. I was a little triggered about the whole kidney damage discussion and started having a panic attack. But as soon as I recorded it, I knew it wasn’t my news to share. And I didn’t share it. I didn’t intend on sharing it. I was going to delete it, but you called and then I got back to the hotel, and you were in a towel and I got distracted. I sent tons of stuff over toThe Looking Glassand didn’t send that. I would never betray you like that.”
“At least when Katherine was betraying me, she didn’t try to hide it. Your whole purpose there was some sort of cloak-and-dagger bullshit, reporting for a piece-of-crap gossip magazine. You weren’t even honest about that!” His voice is growing louder. I hope no one can hear him. The last thing I need is to havethisbe fodder for the gossip columns.
I drop my voice to a low whisper. “I told you I was there about possible work. The only thing I didn’t tell you was the name of the organization. Hell, you didn’t even stop to wonder why I was there in the first place. You were too busy mauling me and treating me like your arm candy to ever wonder why I showed up like that or why I didn’t have a pass. But that shouldn’t surprise either of us, now, should it? You don’t think about anyone but yourself. It’s a little ironic. You’re all about people only wanting things from you, but have you considered that the only time you have relationships with people is because of what you get from them?”
It’s his turn to recoil slightly. A small flinch, but I see it, so I continue. “I thought you were always singular in your focus on soccer.”
“I am.” His voice is steel.
Suddenly, it’s clear to me. Why relationships don’t work out for Callaghan. Why he has no one in his life. Why he has nothing but soccer. “No, you’re not. You’re selfish. You hide behind your sport and your career, but all you’re doing is putting yourself first. You’re not emotionally available. You’re not open to anything outside of soccer. All relationships are give and take. Sure, you may surround yourself with takers, but maybe that’s because that’s how you’re wired. You’re a taker. You only want what will benefit you. You took what I had to offer you, and the moment it got a little hard, you were out of there.”
Suddenly, I’m done. I don’t want to fight him. I want to go home, eat an entire pint of ice cream, and cry for three days.
I was right all along. It’s easier not to try because then you’re never disappointed.
