He’s not going to murder me for hijacking the bidding so that I ended up with his daughter. Though I am still curious who the hell bid on me. I’m certainly not worth ten fucking grand.
Whether or not Cam accepts me leaves my mind when the gorgeous sunshine girl in the yellow dress rushes to me, and I start walking to meet her halfway.
Right in the center of the dance floor.
When we reach each other, she’s suddenly bashful, wringing her hands together.
“Hi,” I say, grinning down at her with my hands in my pockets.
“Hi,” she whispers.
“Surprise, you’re stuck with me as your date.” I shift around on my feet, nervous too.
Suddenly, it doesn’t just feel like two people dancing around their feelings. This finally seems like we may actually get our shot—if she’s ready for it.
“Why?” she squeaks. “After what you said … why do you want to take me on a date?”
I look down at her, my eyes narrowing in thought.
“Because even though you’re too good for me, I want you anyway. I’m being selfish—I know I am. But I can’t let you go. I just can’t fucking do it.”
“Why did you push me away then?”
“Because a part of me is stuck in the past, living in a house where there are drugs coming in and out. Stealing food from the convenience store just to make sure my sister eats.” I cringe. “I almost killed a man when I was sixteen because he was trying to rape my sister. The state came and took her in, and that’s why I went to juvie.” I look at Isla, never feeling this bare before. “I’ll tell you whatever you need to know. I don’t want any secrets when it comes to us.” Inside, I feel pain because I knowthat I need to tell her the truth—that I already knew about her biological dad. “Can we go somewhere? To talk?”
She looks around before finally nodding. “Yeah. I would like that.”
And without thinking, I slide my hand into hers. Her fingers lace against mine, and we walk out of the event center—together and not having to hide a damn thing.
I just hope that after I tell her everything, she’ll still be willing to stay.
TWENTY-SEVEN
ISLA
In the empty arena,we sit in the penalty box, looking out at the ice. I didn’t know where we’d go or if we’d just ride around, but when Hendrix pulled into the parking lot, I somehow wasn’t surprised.
“The arena is the place I feel mostly valued.” His voice is low and pained. “I don’t have family I spend holidays with or a section of loved ones who watch my games. But when I’m here … the NEU fans love me. At least, they love the idea of me.”
Hendrix leans forward against his knees, gazing out onto the ice. “You have so many people who love you, Isla. And not just fans, but friends and family. You have everything I’ve never had, and I guess I convinced myself that I didn’t belong in your world. And that there wasn’t room for me.” His hands clasp together. “I don’t know how to be the guy you deserve, and I’ll probably fuck it up. I know I will. But I’m going to ask you to give me a chance anyway.”
Finally, he looks at me. “I accepted my reality a long time ago, and I never really cared to demand more out of life thanwhat I’d been given. My mom chose drugs over me and Lilly. Reality. My dad gave a drug dealer permission to kill me because I came between him and his business. Reality. My sister is gone, and I have to accept that I may never see her again. Reality.” His voice grows thick with raw emotion, and I wait to see if he’ll push through or hide again.
“But then you came along, and I suddenly don’t want to just accept that reality. I want more.”
Slowly, his hand lifts, and he cups my cheek. “I want you, Isla. I know I don’t deserve you. I know you’re way out of my league. But I promise, if you give me a chance … I’ll work my ass off to make you happy.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I turn sideways in my seat, pressing my forehead to his. “I’m not out of your league, Hendrix.” I sniffle. “And … I want you too.”
“You are, but it’s okay,” he murmurs. “Before I say anything else, I need to tell you something. And I just hope that it doesn’t scare you away, but I can’t keep it from you anymore, Isla. If you’re going to give me a chance, you deserve to know everything.”
My heart rate picks up. I’m scared that whatever he’s about to say is going to pop this sweet bubble we’re in.
“When I followed you into that closet, I knew why you were in there,” he whispers, keeping his forehead against mine. “I had known that douchebag was your dad because I had him for a coach. I watched him walk in and not even look at you, and I wanted to fucking kill him right there. I almost walked up and punched him, but then I saw you rush away, and I knew I needed to help you. I had seen the panic on your face, and I fucking hated it.”
His words hit me like a freight train, but once they sink in, I sit here … stunned. I think back to when we had sex for the firsttime, and I confessed to him that was why I was in the closet to begin with. He didn’t give me a single clue that he knew.
“You … you knew?” I finally choke out the words. “You’ve known the whole time?”
