While the thought of us eating together was appealing, I had another person in my life who deserved the truth. “I can’t tonight. There’s something else I need to do.”
“Okay, then before you leave, let’s check my calendar to make sure we get something down.”
He pulled out his phone and clicked his tongue as his fingers moved across the screen. “Tuesday night work for you?”
I nodded, nervous about this new arrangement but willing to give it a try. My dad had work to do to get me to trust him, but our relationship already felt different. Yelling at him and clearing the air gave me peace of mind, and I chewed on my lip as he finished putting the details in his phone. While the wound was still fresh, the motivation behind this confrontation still hadn’t left my mind.Michael.
“Um, how has Michael been doing the past few weeks?”
My dad’s gaze snapped to mine, wide and full of understanding. “On the ice, fine. I have a feeling that’s not what you’re asking.”
Okay, we were getting right to it then. I put my hands on my hips and exhaled all the nerves. “We were together, kind of. I ruined it before we had a chance to try.” I cleared my throat as emotion clogged it—I had a hard time accepting the fact my heartbreak was my fault. Yes, he chose hockey because it was an amazing opportunity. But it was my beef with my dad that had me too scared to give him a chance.
Love meant taking a risk, and I’d been a damn fool. Michael had too big of a heart to intentionally cause me pain. He communicated openly, where my dadneverdid. I hated knowing I hurt him. “I love him. I’m in love with him. He works for you, and we have issues we need to deal with, but I can’t let those excuses rule me anymore. You can hate it, but frankly, I don’t care.”
“I can’t think of two people better suited for each other, Naomi.” He gave a hesitant smile and lifted one shoulder up in a shrug. “I figured something was going on. Look, you’re human. We all make mistakes. I do constantly. But don’t be like me. Don’t be afraid of admitting you fucked up. If I got over myself and my self-pity, we wouldn’t be where we are now. Talk to him.”
Don’t be afraid.He was right. I didn’t want to be like my dad or be a hypocrite. I’d been so afraid of falling for Michael and coming in second place that I ended up putting him second. Second to my fears. Courage was a weird thing that I rarely felt because I always considered myself the opposite of brave.
But that was false. I’d opened my heart to my sister. I let Michael in. I confronted my dad. Icouldbe bold, and it was time I used it to repair the relationship with the guy I wanted to be with—hockey and all.
“I gotta go, but… I’m glad we’re… okay.”
“Me too, Nana.” He used my childhood name. Hearing it made the stinging in my eyes come back again. “We’ll start slow and figure out how to be in each other’s lives again. I promise, alright?”
I nodded and was already out the door. The brief flare of courage morphed into fear, paralyzing fear as I marched toward Michael’s place. Each step weighed a million pounds, and the unanswered texts from him had me questioning everything.
Was I too late? Would he forgive me? Did I hurt him so badly that he hated me now?
Cars raced down the busy road, the loud sound of their engines giving me a focal point. Logic helped me. So, I made the plan in my head.
Nottalking to Michael wasn’t a choice. So, no matter my fear or the outcome, I couldn’t hide back at my place and pretend I was fine. I’d go to him and put it all on the line.
And if he tells me to fuck off?
Then I’d deserve it.
I tripped over a curb from my shaky limbs. Even though my toe stung, I smiled. I’d have to tell him to add another point to my klutz score. My mind played the horriblewhat ifgame the rest of the walk, until all too soon, I stood outside his apartment door.
I should call him. See if he was even home. He could’ve been out or—a woman laughed.
Someone was inside his place. A female.
It could be Freddie’s sister or mom or friend or…
The door opened, the sound of the door handle turning as the female voice said, “Michael, my god, you’re too much right now.”
Here I was, standing with my fist in the air about to knock when the door opened all the way, and another woman stood there.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Michael
I couldn’t believe Ryann and Jonah surprised me. My goddamn sisterknewI was in a funk and borrowed Jonah’s dad’s car. They drove thousands of miles to cheer me up for Thanksgiving weekend. Getting the call from her yesterday morning was exactly what I needed to get out of the shitty mood I’d lived in the past two weeks.
“I don’t like the fact you drove here in a day. No humans should have that many energy drinks. It could destroy your body,” I said to my sister, who rolled her eyes.
I’d never been in love before, and this part of it sucked. How unfair was it that getting my dream job meant losing the girl I fell for? I scratched a hand over my chest as Jonah came out from the bathroom.
