I was terrified that if I told him, it would be just another reason why we couldn’t be together. Another reason to end this sooner.
Then, we wouldn’t have had yesterday, and that would have been a travesty.
Yesterday was everything to me. Everything.
“What if it’s over?” I whisper, voicing my greatest fear.
“What if it’s not?” Parker counters. “Only one way to find out.”
We end the call, but before I pluck up the courage to reach out to Kodie, I roll off the couch and pad toward the bathroom.
I’m running numerous options through my head as I pee, none of which give me any hope.
I lied to him. He has every right to back away now.
My cell dings as I make my way back through my apartment, and my heart jumps into my throat.
Maybe it’s all okay and I’m overreacting. Maybe he was just busy with Sutton and waiting until she’s in bed.
Maybe I’m just lying to myself.
When I get to my phone and the message lights up, my heart sinks.
Dad: Ten minutes out with takeout. Get ready.
“Shit,” I hiss, guilt twisting me up inside that I forgot.
Casey: I’ll be ready.
Despite forgetting that I agreed to have dinner with Dad, we have a lovely night together catching up. However, I never lose the elephant in the room, which is the huge secret I’m keeping from him.
He tells me about their two weeks away, filling me in on the stupid things the guys did to the rookie, and the events and charity opportunities that Hailee dragged him to. He also excitedly tells me about how he returned home to a freezer full of premade meals that Freya made for him, which allows a little more guilt to trickle in. And I explain about my coaching and the girls I’m working with.
It’s a nice evening, but at no point do I forget what happened this afternoon, and at no point does my cell ding to announce an incoming message.
The thought of my time with Kodie being over brings a lump to my throat.
“Are you okay, Care Bear?” Dad asks as I stop at my door to see him off.
His eyes bounce between mine, and my stomach sinks.
What can he see?
“Yeah, of course. I’m just so glad you have you back again.” It’s not a lie; I miss him now when he’s away just like when I was a kid.
“Aw, I’m glad to be back too. It’ll be good to play on our own ice again.”
“I can’t wait.”
“You’ll be there Saturday?”
“Absolutely.”
“Breakfast before I go in?”
“You got it.”
He gives me one final hug before we part and he disappears down the hallway, leaving me standing there with tears filling my eyes.
