I crash into him, but without my fists as weapons or anger being stored in my brow. Instead, my silent tears guide the way, followed by the pain that’s been funneled deeply into my heart. I wrap my arms around him and quietly shake against his chest as he holds me close to him.
And that’s how we stand for I don’t know how long. Eli holding me, Pacey gently placing his hand on my back, and me sobbing into my teammate.
BLAKELY
Blakely:I can’t tell you how grateful I am, Huxley. I will forever owe you.
Huxley:You owe me nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow.
I stare out the window as my taxi driver drives me from the private airport in Vegas to Halsey’s hotel room. I checked the score of the game, and the boys lost terribly. Zero to three. Pacey didn’t play. Eli was out for a lot of the game, and Halsey . . . well, he didn’t play at all. It was a second-string game that they could afford to lose, but it only leads me to believe that nothing is fine like Halsey said.
The only thing he’s said to me all day.
Huxley saw how distracted I was and pulled me to the side to ask me what was going on. I apologized profusely and told him that I’d do better, but he didn’t let me leave his office. He wanted to know what was distracting me, so I told him I was worried about Halsey. That’s when he offered his private plane so I couldget to him. He didn’t care how long I had it for as long as I was back in the office in the morning for training.
I’ve never been more grateful.
I brought a small overnight bag with me, just in case, and could change on the plane into a pair of shorts and a regular shirt so that I’m at least comfortable and not walking around in a business suit and heels.
“This is it,” the driver says. I hand him over forty dollars, tell him to keep the change, and walk into the upscale hotel and straight to the lobby. The immediate smell of smoke from the casino filters into the air, but the sound of the slot machines goes undetected by the blaring music in the lobby.
Penny worked with the team to get me the information I needed as to where Halsey’s room is, so I head straight to the elevators and up to his floor. Depending on where the boys play next, they fly to their next city after the game or stay one more night for some good sleep. Since they’re off to Arizona next and then California, I couldn’t wait. I had to see him now.
When I get off the elevator, I head to the right and down the hall where I find his room. I knock on the door, and while I wait for him to answer, I adjust the strap of my bag on my shoulder and try not to fidget too much from the anxiety rolling through me.
It takes a second, but when the door opens, I steel my breath, only to see Eli on the other side sporting a black eye.
“Blakely,” he says quietly as he steps out into the hall with me but keeps his foot propping the door open slightly. “What are you doing here?”
“I hadn’t heard from Halsey all day besides one text, and I was worried. Huxley Cane lent me his private plane. How is he?”
Eli shakes his head. “Not good.”
My stomach twists. “What’s going on?”
“It’s not for me to say.” He shakes his head. “But it’s not good.”
“Well, can I see him?”
“Yes,” he says. “But I need to warn you, he’s not in a good headspace, okay? I wouldn’t expect much from him. It’s been rough for me and the boys, so I can only imagine what he’ll do when he sees you. Just . . . be prepared.”
“I am,” I say even though I feel like I’m going to throw up.
Fight for him.
Just keep fighting for him.
That’s what Penny told me to do and that’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to fight for him no matter what.
“Okay.” Eli props the door open and leads me inside, where the nightstand light is on. Halsey is curled up on the bed wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. Pacey is on the other side of the bed with a worried look on his face.
When he sees me approach, I watch him wince, but then he stands from the bed and offers me a silent wave.
“I’ll give you some time alone,” Eli says and then nods at Pacey to join him.
They slip out of the room, and when the door shuts behind them, I set my bag on the floor. Halsey doesn’t move.
Not even a flinch.
