“She wanted to wait until she got the upper hand before telling you the truth,” he continued. “But it’s taking longer than she thought.”
My breath came out ragged, my pulse hammering so hard it hurt. My mom. My fucking mom.
“They found her—what do you mean?” The panic clawed its way into my throat, tightening like a noose. “Fuck. If they hurt her again… Wait, Michelle told you about this?”
Brigham stilled, giving me that same unreadable look he always did when he was gauging my reaction, waiting to see how I’d handle the next bombshell.
“Dude, I can see the fire in your eyes. I am not the enemy.” He squared his shoulders, voice losing that easygoing edge, taking on something calmer, more controlled.
“She called me needing a place to hide out. I’ve known her for years, and it’s cool. I have a guest house. So wipe that threatening look off your face.”
There was no cocky smirk, no teasing grin. Brigham sounded serious, protective—over my girl.
And that was the moment it hit me.
She’d chosen to hide at his place.
She’d let me believe she was with another guy.
To what… push me away? Keep me safe?
All for what?
‘Would you lie to protect them?’
The words echoed back at me, Brigham’s earlier question slamming into my skull with brutal force. It clicked together.
“She’s protecting me?” My voice came out rough, disbelieving, like I needed to say it out loud for it to make sense.
Brigham threw his hands up. “And the dumbass finally figures it out.” He shook his head, giving me a look that could only be described as pitying. “She’s hurting, Brooks. She believes she has to do this alone to keep you safe. I can’t sit by and watch her tear herself apart over this.”
My lungs tightened.
‘Trust me, please.’
And I hadn’t.
I had jumped to the worst conclusion, assumed she was just playing me, assumed she never really cared. I had let history repeat itself, let my own insecurities tell me she had walked away because she wanted to—because I wasn’t enough for her.
Fuck. I’m an idiot.
“Text me your address,” I demanded, already reaching for my keys.
“No.” Brigham crossed his arms, his stance solid, immovable. “That’s on her to decide if and when she sees you. I’m telling you out of courtesy, because you’re my teammate and because you’re the guy my friend loves.”
I froze.
“What?”
Brigham smirked, knowing exactly what he just said.
“Michelle is the most independent chick I know. She must love your dumb ass to act this insane. That’s the only logical explanation. Now, would she ever say it? Probably not. This is the first time she’s ever asked for my help, and she’s saved my ass countless times. But she has to, Brooks. Why else would she intentionally hurt you unless she thought she was saving you?”
I sat down hard on the nearest bench, my hands threading through my hair. My thoughts were spinning too fast, my heart pounding in my ears.
She loves me.
I had spent the past four days convincing myself she had just moved on. That I had been a mistake. That I had been nothing.
