Juliet: She’s here now. That’s got to count for something. She’s your sister. I’m sure whatever you did wasn’t unforgivable.
His response takes a while to come through, and when it does, my heart aches at the vulnerability behind his words.
Striker: I’m not proud of who I was or what I did, but moving to Beckford was the fresh start we both needed. How do I show her that when things are so strained between us? There’s a wall between us that I don’t know how to break down. I’m scared of saying or doing the wrong thing, and she’ll decide I’m not worth the trouble. I’m terrified of being alone. Of stuffing up and pushing people away until there’s no one left. It’s what I do. I sabotage every goddamn good thing in my life. What if I do that with you as well?
My throat tightens, and I reread his text while I consider how to respond. This is my first glimpse of the real Blake Logan, and now I understand why he was so adamant about only giving me one night. Whatever it is he went through made him think he needed to keep people at a distance, but now he’s trying to let me in.
Striker: Sorry. This was too much to dump on you. You don’t need my fucked up shit in your life. I’m not good for you.
Not wanting him to pull away, I take a deep breath and call him. It rings five times, and my stomach roils when I think he won’t pick up, but then the call connects, and his warm voice floats down the line.
“Hey.”
My chest constricts at the raw pain behind that one syllable, and I have an overwhelming need to comfort him.
“You’re a good guy, Blake. Your past doesn’t define you.”
He huffs out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry.”
“For what? If we’re going to explore whatever this is between us, we have to share the bad as well as the good.”
“I really like you, Juliet. Like, a crazy amount. I’ve never felt this intense connection with anyone before.”
Heat floods through my body. “I really like you, too.”
“I know you and Tinsley are a package deal. I want to be a man who deserves you both.”
The conviction behind his words should scare me. He’s only twenty-five, and we’ve barely known each other a couple of months. I still don’t know anything about his past, except that he regrets whatever he did. Yet I feel drawn to him in a way I can’t explain. For the first time in my life, I’m not scared of the unknown. I’m running towards it.
“From what I’ve seen so far, you’re on the right track. I don’t know what happened between you and your sister, but I feel in my gut that you’re a good guy. You’ve beennothing but sweet and patient, and so good to both of us. I don’t know why you’re doubting yourself.”
“Seeing Tori has brought back all the demons, I guess.”
“That’s understandable. But just talk to her. Be open with her, like you have been with me. Keeping it bottled up won’t fix anything.”
His warm chuckle washes over me. “How’d you get so wise?”
Something squeezes in my stomach. “Life experience.”
He yawns. “I like how easy it is to talk to you.”
“Get some sleep. You’ve got a game to win tomorrow.”
“Will you come?” he asks sleepily. “Bring Tinsley to watch her brother?”
I hesitate. As much as I want to watch him, the risk of running into Edward is high. Despite their strained relationship, he’s never missed one of his son’s home games, which is why I’ve never taken Tinsley.
“Please?” Blake’s voice is softer now.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I whisper, “I’ll think about it.”
“See you tomorrow, pixie.”
“Maybe, striker.”
The call disconnects, and I lie in the dark, wondering what it is about this guy that makes me want to risk everything.
Striker: Morning, pixie. What’s your spirit animal?
