“Don’t let him,” she says. “No matter what he says to you, you have to know this isn’t the real Halsey talking. It’s the scared, hurt Halsey.”
“Do you think he’ll push me away?” I bite on the tip of my finger, my stomach roiling with anxiety.
“Honestly . . . yes. Knowing how these men work, he’ll do everything to ensure he can feel as shitty as possible. And that means eliminating the one thing that brings him joy. And that’s you.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “I don’t want to be pushed away. I want to help him, hold him, and nurture him through this.”
“Which means no matter what he says or does, you need to hold strong. You said it yourself, you love him deeper than anything or anyone you’ve loved before. Don’t let that feeling be taken away from a hurt man who is drowning. You are the lifeline, so be the lifeline.”
I nod even though she can’t see me. “You’re right.”
“Fight for him, Blakely.”
“I will.”
“And I’m here for you if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Penny.”
HALSEY
Blakely:Can you at least let me know that you’re okay? Please, Halsey?
I stare down at her text message and all the other text messages she’s sent as I nurse a bottle of water in the locker room.
Fuck, do I feel like shit.
I woke up this morning with Eli next to me, his arm splayed out across the bed and a light snore coming from his mouth. I proceeded to throw up in the bathroom, which of course woke him up. He tossed me some water and ordered breakfast for us both.
I watched him inhale a large plate of eggs, bacon, and fruit, and I proceeded to throw up two more times after that.
He urged me to at least eat some bacon to settle my stomach, but that did nothing for me. So he ordered a hangover cure from the kitchen. I have no idea what the hell was in that, but it eased my stomach and brought me back from hell. Now I just feel like a goddamn zombie walking around the earth with a game ahead of me.
Yet it doesn’t feel as bad as what my mom said to me and the realization of all of that.
“Text her back,” Eli says when he sits beside me in the locker room.
“Mind your own fucking business.”
“Funny you say that, I don’t recall you minding your own business when it came to me and Penny.”
“This has nothing to do with my relationship with Blakely,” I say as I set my phone down and lift my drink to my lips. I’ve been doing my damnedest to try to hydrate before the game. It’s been slow. If I make it through the three hours of gameplay tonight, it will be a goddamn miracle.
“Then why not text her back?” He nudges me with his shoulder. “Go ahead. I’ll wait.”
“Can you leave me the fuck alone?”
“No.”
And he leaves it at that, so I pick up my phone and text Blakely back.
Halsey:I’m fine.
“That’s all you’re going to say to her?” Eli asks. “That you’re fine? She called and texted you several times last night, and that’s what you’re going to say? You’re fine. Are you trying to be a dick?”
“I’m trying to fucking hydrate and get my mind on the game. I don’t need you chattering in my ear.”
He tugs on my shoulder so I’m forced to look at him. “What the hell did your parents say to you last night?”
