He had a third option.
And I never once let myself believe it existed.
“Riley, what are you thinking?”
I couldn’t even look at him. I kept my eyes on the boxes on the ground between us.
“I just wanted to be enough.”
Chapter twenty-two
Colton: Dogs and Declarations
The apartment felt too quiet. Too still. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the half-packed duffel beside me, the fabric wrinkled where I’d shoved in clothes without thinking.
She hadn’t said anything about the future. Nothing about coming to see me play. Nothing about us figuring it out. Nothing at all.
And suddenly, I felt ridiculous. Like I had built this thing up in my head, convinced myself that somehow—someway—she saw this the way I did.
Maybe I read it all wrong.
The kiss. Her hand in my hair. The way she said “stay.”
And now—nothing.
Maybe that kiss was just a moment. Maybe she never believed in me at all.
I let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of my neck, trying to shake it off. This isn’t new. People take one look at me and decide they know how the story ends. That’s how it’s always been.
I just thought she saw something different. Thought she saw me. But when I was standing right in front of her, laying it all out—she didn’t fight for me. Didn’t even try.
I pressed my palms against my knees, leaning forward, breathing through it.
I had just told my father I wasn’t going to let anyone dictate my life anymore.
Guess I should’ve included Riley in that, too.
I pushed off the bed, grabbing my duffel by the straps and hauling it over one shoulder. I headed for the living room, barely paying attention to where I was walking. Until my gaze landed on the pile of team gear against the wall. I exhaled sharply. I ran a hand over my jaw, trying to steady my breathe. I just wanted to sit here. Stay still. Not talk to anyone. Not think. Just wait until it didn’t feel like something had been ripped out of me.
But I leave tomorrow.
“I need to get this stuff over to the rink.” I sounded more sure than I felt.
I can't just leave without saying goodbye.
Riley wasn’t the only one who helped me turn things around. They did too. The guys, the coaches, the people who tried to help me, when I thought I was past saving.
I really want to hide out in my apartment until it's time to go to the airport. But I owe the guys at least one last fist pump.
***
I barely made it two steps inside before Coop spotted me, grinning like an idiot.
Coop knocked his shoulder into mine, shaking his head.
"You really went and pulled off the dream—big leagues, perfect girl—just in time for geography to ruin everything. Brutal, man."
“Thanks, man.” I shifted my weight.
