The pain in her words guts me. I never wanted it either. But I made that decision. I set the events in motion that led us here. Playing thewhat-ifgame now isn’t going to help anyone.
“For what it’s worth, I didn’t either.”
Her lip quivers before she starts walking again. My guess is she wants to hide any emotion she’s showing. I give her the space, walking a few paces behind her.
By the time we make it to the crowds of the Strip, I jog up to meet her.
“Let me walk you back to your room?” It comes out as more of a question than anything.
“Sure.”
Harper’s voice is quiet as we walk side by side in relative silence back to her hotel.
“When do you head home?” I ask.
“Tomorrow morning. Do you guys leave tonight?”
“We’re out here for a few more days then head back.”
“Who stays with the girls?”
“Their nanny. She’s really good with them.”
The walk is too short as we stop in front of the lobby entrance. Cars are coming and going as bags are wheeled inside. It’s bursting at the seams with people. I spot a few people in Vegas jerseys and move us off to the side.
I know I only have a few more minutes with Harper, but I’m not ready to leave. I can’t stall because I have to head to the game. The last thing I need is to be late for the team bus to take us to the rink.
“Look, I know this isn’t what you had in mind right now, but thanks for letting me come with you.”
Harper nods, giving me a small smile. “I guess I had to, didn’t I?”
“You didn’t, but I appreciate it.”
Harper walks backward toward the bank of elevators. “Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks.”
I watch her get swallowed up in the crowds before she disappears. Damn. I wish I didn’t have to go play for once. I want to follow her up to her room and spend time with her. Talk to her. Make her understand why I did what I did.
We’ll have to see each other at home. We’ll need to meet to sign papers. Text about it.
My thoughts flow like a reel, catching glimpses of what our life could have been, but it pauses on a scene in the future. One without divorce stamped on the frame. With one last smile, I turn toward my hotel room.
Instead of signing divorce papers…could this be a shot at a second chance with Harper?
Chapter Eleven
HARPER
Ishouldn’t be here. I don’t even knowwhyI’m here.
But I am.
I figure, when in Vegas, why not?
I hold my phone out to the ticket attendant in a yellow vest, and she scans it and waves me in.
A sea of blue swallows me up as fans make their way into the stands beyond the concrete ramps and columns. Pictures of the home team cling to each post as people linger to get drinks, food, and team merch before the game.
