“Eli, I think you should leave. And I think you should lose my number.” I stand up.
He stands and puts his hands on his hips. “Are you serious right now? Areyoubreaking up withme?”
I nod and purse my lips. “Yep, I sure am.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know I’ve made the right decision.
“Okay, whatever. You’re not worth the headache.”
He storms to the door, yanks it open, then lets it slam behind him.
And I watch him go.
A wave of relief flows through my body, and for the first time in my life, I’ve done something completely for me, despite how someone else may feel. And I like it.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
BROOKE
The weeksafter my breakup with Eli blur together in the way they only ever do during the holidays.
Walker won and advanced to the national football championship, set for January in Las Vegas.
By the time we got home, Christmas was already pressing in—tree lights, family dinners, and me pretending everything felt normal.
A few days later, we were back on a plane, this time to Chicago to watch Beck play the weekend after Christmas. Beck won and had a great game personally as well. He’s on track to be the best rookie running back of the year. I’m so proud of all the hard work he’s put into his football career and excited to see it paying off.
Tonight is New Year’s Eve, and we stayed close to Beck’s condo. The Kings—minus Casey—are in Chicago, too, holed up in a ridiculously bougie hotel across the street from Beck’s. I opted to stay with Charlie and Beck instead, tucked into the extra bedroom Beck insisted on when he bought the place, just in case Dad or I ever needed it.
Which feels fitting somehow.
A new year.
A full house.
And the quiet sense that something is shifting, whether I’m ready for it or not.
We walk into his place after dinner with the family, and I honestly don’t think I can sit around until midnight and watch Charlie and Beck be all in love and kissing and celebrating the new year. They’re getting married this year, and I’m happy for them, but I’m fresh off a breakup, and even though Eli was a jerk, I might be feeling a little sorry for myself that I have no one to share the night with.
“I think I’m just going to go to bed. I’m pretty tired, and I’ll let you guys spend some time alone since we’re leaving tomorrow,” I say, motioning over my shoulder toward my room.
“You sure? I got some of that pink champagne you girls like to pop right before midnight.” Beck walks over to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“Yeah, I’m gonna take a shower and maybe read or something.” I slide my arm around his waist and pull him into me for a side hug.
Charlie walks over to us and wraps her arms around both of us for a group hug. “I have almost all of my favorite people here tonight. I’m a lucky girl.”
“Almost all? Boss, I’m your very favorite.” Beck kisses her forehead.
“Duh, of course. I do miss Casey though. This is my first New Year’s Eve without him. Kind of feels weird.” She pulls away. “Maybe we can FaceTime him right before or after?”
“Whatever you want, baby. I’ll admit, I miss him too. I haven’t spent the holidays without him since we moved to Oklahoma, come to think of it. We’ve been together a lot of years.” Beck removes his arm from my shoulders and steps away, making my arm drop back to my side.
“Maybe y’all can work out a holiday schedule or something when he gets drafted, so you won’t have to be apart next year.” I squeeze her shoulder as I walk by her.
“We’ll just have to see where he is, I guess, but, yeah, that would be ideal.” She reaches for my hand before I get too far from her. “And you’ll be here in Chicago with us celebrating, of course.”
“Obviously. Where else would I be?” I laugh, but inside, that makes me feel a little sad. It would be better if I had someone with me, and we could all spend the holidays together.
