And for the first time since the coach said the words…
It really, really hits.
Chapter Thirty-Three
CASSIE
I’m up before seven.
Which is…annoying.
But sleep was hard to come by last night.
I pace the kitchen, phone pressed to my ear.
“Avery, I’m serious,” I say, rubbing my forehead. “He’s leaving. Like—gone. Florida.”
“Okay,” she says. “And?”
“And I knew this was going to happen,” I say. “I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. I just, I don’t know. I guess I got too excited.”
A pause.
“Have you considered telling him how you feel?”
I let out a short laugh.
“Cass…” Avery says. “Please don’t sabotage this.”
“I’m not sabotaging anything.”
“Uh, let’s recap,” she says. “A hot cowboy literally moves into your house, likes you, cooks for you, plays tea party with your nieces?—”
“Maybe.”
“—and now you’re just going to let him walk out the door?”
I open my mouth, then close it.
“I should tell him,” I say finally. “I just, what if…”
I feel my emotions well up. “What if he says he doesn’t like me? And I tried long distance before. Youknowhow that worked out. He was cheating on me the whole damn time, Avery.”
She goes silent. “If I may. As your friend.”
“Yes.”
“You’re letting the past decide your future. From everything you’ve said?—”
My phone buzzes with another call coming through.
George.
“Gotta go,” I tell Avery. “This is work.”
“Fine. Call me back.”
I answer.
