“Yeah. Space from anything that makes you feel shit.”
My blood feels like it’s boiling now. “You’re one to fucking talk.”
“Look, I’m not saying I don’t understand, but I do know that facing it is much more productive than avoiding it. Have you ever finished that conversation with Nick?” My response to him is a glare,so he continues. “Maybe if you face that, you might start to feel a little lighter, and more capable of handling other feelings, like the ones you have for your nanny.”
“I feel like this conversation is making my hangover worse.”
Fletcher laughs. “You know, I once lived my life pretty much the same way, Henley—avoiding my dad, avoiding anything that pertained to a future without football, and avoiding how I always felt about Laney, although I wasn’t out chasing women. But you know what I realized when Laney and I finally admitted our feelings to one another?”
“What?”
“The reason I didn’t want any other woman is because they weren’t her. The reason I couldn’t think about a life beyond the game is because I didn’t have someone to build a life outside of football with. And the reason I avoided my dad is because I didn’t feel strong enough to do it on my own.” My heart is pounding from his admission, because deep down in my gut, I know that’s the fact that scares me the most. “All of that changed when Laney gave me a chance.”
“Elodie’s leaving in less than three months, Fletcher.”
“I know. But if you don’t give yourself the chance to explore how she makes you feel, then you’re the one left with regrets, Henley. That’s kind of what I realized during Elliot’s wedding preparation when I was spending all that time with Laney. It was my chance to figure out if these feelings I’d been harboring for her for years were substantial enough to make life-changing decisions about. And I realized very quickly that they were.”
“I remember. You jeopardized your friendship with Rhonan for her.”
He shrugs. “And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Do you think Elodie’s developing feelings for you too?”
Staring out across the living room, I consider his question. “I honestly don’t know. Although, last night when we talked about what I resorted to as a way to chase adrenaline after my accident, she seemed bothered by it.”
“Then why not see if there’s something there, and just take it one day at a time? No one says you have to marry the girl. But if you’re feeling something for her, you owe it to yourself to see if it’s more than just a crush, or the sight of her singing to your daughter making you feel emotional.”
I heave out a heavy breath. “I really fucking hate you right now.”
Fletcher slaps me on the shoulder. “No, you don’t. Although you might hate yourself a little when you see your phone.” Wincing, he hands me my cell phone, which now has a cracked screen.
“Shit.”
“Yeah. You threw it against the dashboard of my truck after you got angry looking at pictures of Elodie.”
Twisting the phone around, I notice there’s just one crack, but it’s completely across the bottom of the screen. Then my eyes land on the notifications—sixteen missed calls and nine text messages—all from Elodie.
Adrenaline races through me as I fight to swipe across the screen and click on the texts.
Elodie:Hey, I forgot to ask you if you’re coming home tonight. Let me know, please.
Elodie:Judging by your lack of response, I guess it’s safe to say you’re not. Be safe.
Elodie:If you could just let me know that you’re alive, I would appreciate it.
Elodie:Henley, it’s not that hard to send a text message. Let me know you’re okay, please.
Elodie:Remy has a fever. I’m doing everything I can to keep it down, but it’s making me nervous. Please call me.
Elodie:Glad to know that even your sick daughter doesn’t matter to you right now.
“Fuck!” Launching myself from the couch, I search the room for my keys. “I need to go.”
Fletcher’s energy begins to match my own. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
“Remy had a fever last night. Elodie was trying to get a hold of me, but I didn’t fucking reply.”
Laney comes out from the hallway with my wallet and keys. “Here. We kept them in our room in case you woke up and tried to leave last night.”
“Thanks.”
