‘He was in a poker room. I mean, a hotel room where poker was being played.’
She frowns, waiting for more. When I don’t give it, she leans in. ‘Okay, and? Did he gamble? Did he make some massive mistake I don’t know about?’
‘He says he didn’t.’
Theo rolls her eyes. ‘Charlie, that’s not an answer. Did he or didn’t he?’
‘He didn’t. Said he was just there to build rapport with the team, as their captain. But it doesn’t matter. He wasinthat room, Theo. Cash everywhere. Cards. The whole fucking setup. It could have torched everything.’
She watches me carefully, quiet for once. ‘Yeah… But it didn’t.’
I drag my hands through my hair, squeezing the roots. ‘It could have. One second of him appearing like he’s back to his old ways. That’s all it would’ve taken. Months of rebuilding his image – gone. And I—’
‘And you panicked and freaked.’
‘Yeah, I snapped.’
Theo’s mouth pulls into a half-smile, soft around the edges. ‘And you’re mad at him for putting himself in that position.’
‘Yes!’ I throw my hands up, words spilling out too fast. ‘Because he’s not that naïve. He knew better. He knew the risks. We talked about it a hundred times. Stay clean. Stay out of trouble. One mistake and it’s all over.’
She nods slowly. ‘You’re not wrong. But…was he trying to hurt you or ignore you or treat you like crap?’
I stare at her like she’s grown a second head. ‘What?’
‘Was he trying to hurt you? Was he trying to blow his career up on purpose? Or was he just being a bit of a daftie because he wanted to be pals with his teammates and didn’t think it through? Underneath that gruff routine and ruthless ambition, he’s a wee people pleaser, in case you haven’t noticed.’
My vocal cords cinch tight. I don’t let the thought take shape. Rage is simpler. Rage keeps me standing.
Theo doesn’t let up. ‘What did he actually do to hurt you, Charlie? Not the risks, not thepotentialfallout.’
I want to argue. Want to say he broke my trust. Want to insist that he put everything on the line for a night of cards. But the words won’t come. Because she’s right. He didn’tactuallydo anything. He made a mistake. A thoughtless mistake. Not one that deserves—
‘You’re comparing him to Callum,’ Theo says gently, like it’s obvious and I’m too dense to see it. ‘But Callum lied. Repeatedly. Callum hurt you intentionally. He knew what he was doing when he was shagging other women. He was proactively and consciously choosing to hurt you in a very personal way. What did Brodie do? Did he lie? Did he cheat? Did he manipulate you? Or did he just fuck up because he’s a bit of an eejit?’
‘I’m not comparing him to Callum,’ I fire back, but it tastes like a lie.
‘Aren’t you? You’re terrified of getting played. I get it. You’re scared of looking like a fool. But Brodie’s not Callum. Just sayin’.’
The urge to scream crowds every inch of my insides. I stare down harder at the emails again. They blur into nothing, shapes and lines that make no sense.
‘Boss…’ Theo leans forward ‘You’re in love with him.’
The words hit like a slap. I don’t answer.
‘You’re hurting because you’re in love with him, and you’re afraid that makes you weak. But Charlie,’ she says quieter, almost a whisper, ‘it doesn’t. It means you’re human. And for humans, love can be a superpower.’
I shake my head, but I’m not sure who I’m denying – her or myself.
Theo picks up the mug and nudges it toward me. ‘Drink. And stop acting like your heart isn’t dragging you through hell. You might be able to fool everyone else, but not me. I’m next door if you need me. For hugs or biscuits or talks. Anything. I’m here, okay?’
She leaves me there, staring at the shortbread and the dying succulent, stomach in knots and hands trembling, because somewhere deep down, I’ve run out of excuses. I curl up in the chair, hands over my face, and let one broken sob tear out before I shove it back down.
Because I’ve already done the damage I can’t come back from.
Chapter23
Brodie
