Brayden recognized it immediately as the box he’d had in his pocket the day of the accident. The air whooshed out of him. He reached out slowly. “Where did you get that?” The idea that he was reaching for his dreams taking root in his mind. His hand closed around the velvet and his soul jumped in anticipation.
“I found it in a pair of dirty shorts. Almost put it through the washing machine.” Dad’s eyes crinkled. “I didn’t look inside. I don’t want to see it until it’s on her finger.”
Brayden dipped his chin in agreement. Dirty shorts? So the bag hadn’t been touched since the hospital. Tilly hadn’t seen the ring—didn’t know how ready he was to spend their lives together. Didn’t have the promise in her heart. Natalie was a horrendous coincidence.
Dad let him go, and he hurried to the front door. He didn’t want Natalie to leave before he had a chance to tell her not to come back. He swung open the door, and a smile lit up her face.
Brayden cringed inside. Now that he was looking at her, really looking, he could see the interest that went beyond friendship. She hadn’t flirted with him since the hospital, but that only meant that she’d switched tactics. He drew in a breath, wondering where the line was between being a good guy and slamming the door in her face. “Hey, Natalie.”
“Hey yourself, handsome.” She bit her bottom lip. “Mind if I come in? I brought bagels.” She held up a paper bag.
“I, uh, thanks. But no thanks.”
“Oh.” Her smile dropped. “Feel like getting out?”
“Actually, I’m on my way out of town with the team.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Are you sure that’s a smart idea? Flying can cause stress on your injury.”
He considered her for a moment. She’d said stuff like that before. He’d always thought it was because she was a nurse and therefore cautious, but now he wondered if she’d been purposefully keeping him unsure of himself. He’d already flown and been fine. “I can handle it.”
She shook her head slightly and stepped closer. “You need someone to watch out for you who can be here.” She moved to touch him, and he flinched away.
“Actually, I’m doing fine on my own.”
“Oh.” Her face brightened. “Well, we can always have some fun together.”
“Natalie.” He held up his palm. “I don’t think you should come by anymore.” There, he’d spit it out. It was empowering to say what he wanted. He watched her for signs that he’d been too blunt and hurt her feelings.
Her face turned red and her lips puckered out as if there were a bunch of words trying to get past them but she wouldn’t let them. Finally, she ground out, “What do you mean?”
“I mean, thanks for the help you’ve given me. You’ve been great, but I don’t see a need for us to continue this—” He scrambled for the right word. They didn’t have a relationship; they barely had a friendship. “—situation.”
“Situation?” She yanked open the bag of bagels and threw one at his head.
He jerked to the side, grateful when he didn’t feel a spike of pain. “What are you doing?” he demanded.
She stomped down two steps. “I spend my off time as your free nurse and all you can say is thanks?!” She turned and threw another bagel. This one swept wide and hit his front window.
If she’d kept her elbow up, she could have hit her mark. He grinned. Maybe being a pitching coach was inside of him after all.
She screamed. “Stop smiling, you idiot!” This time she threw the whole bag. There must have been a container of cream cheese inside, because it hit the house hard.
There was movement down the street, and Tilly stepped onto her porch. Brayden’s face and ears burned with embarrassment. He wished she didn’t have to see him going through this. Hopefully none of the neighbors had their phones out and a MyHeartChannel. Natalie’s antics were viral-worthy.
“You led me on.” Natalie was crying now. Thick black lines of mascara ran down her face. “I saved you, and you toss me aside.”
He was NOT going to put his arm around her and comfort her. No way. Besides, that wasn’t how it happened at all. “You didn’tsaveme. You tried to make me doubt myself so I’d need you.” She was losing it, and one of them had to be stable.
“I don’t do those things for friends.”
“Um, you should. That’s what friends do.”
“I loved you!” she cried out.
He glanced at her car, wondering if she had a dash cam.
Tilly’s front door slammed. It sucked that he knew that sound so well. He started walking that way. “Bye, Natalie.”
