“Well?” he asks.
“He’s freaking out,” I say. “Surprise.”
“You did the right thing.”
I snort. “Don’t start.”
He shrugs and backs off, giving me space.
I step onto the PowerSkater. The belt gives just enough resistance to cause me to work for it. I drop into stance and start moving—push, glide, pull. Over and over. The burn hits fast, calves and thighs screaming. That’s good. Pain means I’m doing something right.
Left stride. Right. Faster. The rhythm helps. The burn helps. But the thoughts don’t shut off.
Bayleigh, small but standing. Lincoln, signing clumsy words meant only for her. Milton, starting to fold toward her too, even if he hasn’t seen it yet. And me, the guy who was ready to marry a woman who played him, still dragging her ghost around like a weight.
I skate harder.
I’m not jealous. That’s not it. It’s the way everyone else seems to be moving forward, finding something—or someone—worth giving a shit about, while I’m stuck shadowboxing history.
By the time my legs give out, sweat soaks through my shirt, and my feet throb in my shoes. I rest my forehead against the wall, trying to catch my breath.
I don’t care about Bayleigh Lennox.
I can’t.
I won’t.
But I can’t shake the feel of that moment—the way she looked at me after I stepped in. Scared, but grateful. Like I was someone worth trusting.
And that… that’s the dangerous part.
Because maybe Lincoln’s right. Maybe Gina’s been dead weight on my shoulders this whole damn time.
But dropping it? Letting go? Letting myself be anything other than an angry, fucked-over rival?
I don’t even know who I’d be anymore without the grudge.
22
Bayleigh
My pulsestill hasn’t settled by the time I reach the corner. Just a few more steps and I’ll be inside the league office. Safe and sound. Until I have to make my way back to my car.
This time I’m scanning the area in front of me as I clutch the folder tight to my body. I’m not letting anyone catch me off guard again.
Korbin Brooks. My hero. Never thought I’d be thinking those words. Yet here I am. And it’s a reality. How he happened to be there at the right time is a mystery. Fate maybe. Whatever the reason, I’m just glad he was.
Then all I could do was stand there, frozen like a statue, before signing ‘thank you’ and running away. He didn’t even know what I’d said.
I step up to the building, grasping the handle in my hand and open the door, rushing inside.
Safe. I’m safe now.
The receptionist looks up from her desk and gives a warm smile when she sees me. I lift my hand and wave. Thankful thatGeorgia is here today. She knows sign language, and it’s going to make turning in these papers so much easier.
I move swiftly across the room, stopping at her desk, setting my purse and the folder on top.
Good morning, Bayleigh. Your brother called and told us you’d be dropping off the paperwork.
