“Not yet.” I avoid his eye contact, not wanting to see the disappointment in his gaze.
His phone chimes, and he mutters something under his breath that I can’t make out. “Shit, babe. I’ve got to go. I’m sorry.”
My phone rings loudly through the room, the conversation between Cole and me halting. My heart jumps into my throat as I reach over and grab it, spotting an area code from New York.
Oh God, this is it.
“Answer it, Lain!” Cole aggressively whispers, as if the caller can already hear us.
My heart hammers in my chest.
Thisis the call I’ve been waiting for. It’s going to change everything, one way or another.
Swiping the screen, I answer, “Hello, this is Lainey.”
“Hi, Lainey. This is Avery Peterson with the Nighthawks. Do you have a second to speak with me?”
My gaze locks with Cole, and he mouths,Put it on speaker.
“Yes, of course,” I reply as I switch to speakerphone.
“Wonderful. Well, I am calling because we would love to officially make you an offer for the job.”
I suck in a breath, ready to accept, but then I see Cole’s face fall and shoulders slump. Without another word, he spins on his heel and storms away.
Anxiety tightens my chest as I hear him descend the stairs and leave, slamming the door behind him hard enough to rattle the house.
We knew this day was coming, and it would be hard to accept, but he’s always told me to chase my dreams. He encouraged me to apply for the Nighthawks, for any team hiring. He can’t change his mind right now because I‘m actually doing it. It’s too late.
I’ve followed him across the country multiple times when he’s been traded to different teams. We picked up our lives and did it without question. He says he supports me and understands, but he sure as hell doesn’t do a good job showing that.
I didn’t get angry when he asked if I would switch to virtual school—a decision that actually made my life a thousand times harder since I learned better in a classroom. But I didn’t ever consider rage quitting and storming out. I adapted and became a better student.
I bit the bullet and finished my undergrad and doctorate on my laptop, aside from the mandatory clinical hours that I clocked at the local university.
I haven’t spent nearly eight years in school to throw it away. For the first time in my life, I’m going to be selfish and take what I want.
“Lainey, are you there?” Avery asks, and I force my rambling thoughts away.
This is for me. It’s been far too long since I made a decision with that at the forefront of my mind.
“Hi. Yes. Thank you so much!” I swallow. “I would be honored to work with you guys. I, of course, accept the offer.”
I don’t know if Cole and I will survive this, but I know I’ll fight every step of the way to make us work. He deserves to live his dream as much as I do—maybe even more after the hardships he’s faced. I just want him to be happy, and I hate that pursuing my passions brings him any level of anger or sadness.
Cole and I will be just fine—I know it. We’ve faced tribulations before and prevailed every time.
This will be no different, right?
The beeping sound of our front door keypad refuels the rage that has been bubbling up inside of me over the last few hours. Colesaid he’d be home after a drink with the guys after the game, but now it’s three a.m. He ignored my calls and texts for hours and is now stumbling through our front door, drunk off his ass.
“What’re you doing up?” he slurs with annoyance as he shuts and locks the door behind him. “It’s late.”
Standing up from the couch, I cross my arms. “Yeah,Iknowit’s late, Cole. I’ve been waiting for you for hours. Where have you been?”
I’m usually a very relaxed partner, but since I told him I’m applying for the Nighthawks job, he’s been pulling away more and more.
Some days are better than others. Sometimes, he shows up with flowers and can’t get enough of me, and other days, it’s like my mere existence annoys him.
