“Why?”
“Because that loyal woman was always going to have your back, even when you pushed her away. She’s stubborn in the best way.”
I’m about to ask him how to get her back when the door opens.
“C.C.!”
Her shriek shatters my heart, and I drop to my knees and open my arms for my little sister. Violet slams into me, and even though my head throbs from the impact, I focus on her tears soaking through my shirt.
“Don’t cry, little. Look!” I pull back so she can see my whole face. “I’m barely even hurt. Just a little bruise, but I’m totally fine.”
“Don’t lie to me!” she snaps. “I watched you get hit!”
I trace a finger over her tear-streaked cheeks. It’s clear she cried all the way here, and the worry makes her look far older than eight.
Grabbing her shoulders, I smile. “I promise, Vi. I’m really okay. No concussion. And I get to sleep at the house, so you can watch over me all night. We can have a sleepover in the living room.”
After a few minutes of reassurance and promises, Violet takes Jimmy’s extended hand so I can talk to the woman with red-rimmed eyes.
Shay studies me as if I’m a ghost as I meet her in the middle of the room. Slowly, she lifts her hand to the side of my face, and I sigh into her touch. Since being carried off the field, my temple has pulsed incessantly, but with her fingers on it, the spot dulls to a minor ache.
“Are you okay?” she whispers. “It’s okay if you’re not.”
Before I can lie, I pause. I’ve spent my whole life being strong. Hiding behind a smile. Forcing myself to be okay even when I wasn’t. But thiswoman reminds me that having emotions isn’t a weakness. I got hit in the head with a baseball. I could’ve lost my life and everyone I care about.
So I let myself not be okay in front of her.
“No.” My voice trembles, cracking under the weight of my honesty, but she doesn’t flinch or turn away. Not even as the tears start to fall. “For a moment, I didn’t know what was going to happen. I kept going in and out, watching Isla and Rio rush around me. I was just lying there, hoping I would get to talk to my mom and Violet one more time. Tell Mallory and Kenneth how much I love them. Promise Adri and Jo that I’ll make their next graduation parties.” I shake my head. “I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again. I didn’t know if I’d ever get the chance to feel this,feel you,again, Shay. I thought I had lost you all over again.”
Shaky fingers swipe under my eyes. “You didn’t lose me. I’m right here, Cade. And I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know what I would’ve done if—” A sob cuts her off, but she doesn’t need to finish the sentence.
Professionalism be damned.
I pull her to me, and she doesn’t hesitate to throw her arms around my shoulders. It doesn’t matter that Violet and Jimmy are watching us hold each other. Or that Rio’s now standing by the door. Nothing matters right now except for this.
“You’re safe,” she breathes into my chest. “You’re okay, Cade.”
I close my eyes. “I’m much better now.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
There are many two-wordphrases that irritate me. Low battery. Road closed. Monday morning.
But for some reason, on this random Wednesday evening, I’m up in arms about the annual Permian BBQ flyer Winston sent out. What should be a fun way to celebrate finding out who will receive the promotion has now become my worst nightmare.
Partners allowed.
Winston’s wife will be there, according to their enthusiastic RSVP. Andy is bringing Henrietta. Even Trevor is bringing someone. I could always bring one of the girls, but that’s not the point.
I slam my laptop closed and push it aside. Being angry about being alone is pointless. In one week, I’ll hopefully be leaving the BBQ with a promotion that’ll come with a career jump and the respect of my peers. It’s what I gave up soccer for. The reason I missed so many girls’ nights. The fuel that kept my heart on lockdown. In a battle of work and everything else, work has always won without a fight.
Yet I can’t stop thinking about him.
“Hey, AgentShay.”
It’s late enough for me to wonder if I’m hallucinating, but the words and the person in my doorway seem too real. I didn’t hear anyone enter Slim Jim Batting, but that’s what I get for blasting Vivaldi.
I yank my headphones out. “What are you doing here?”
