“I know you don’t need me.” And damn, if that didn’t hurt to say. “But for Christ’s sake, Kelcie, sometimes it’s good to have support from the sidelines, someone who’s there for you, waiting to be called in as back-up when you need him.”
She turned and wiped her hands over her eyes. Then she drew in a deep breath, straightened her back, and said, “We—I mean, I need to get Aaron home, and you need to get back on that plane to get ready for this weekend’s game. You are probably on thin ice with the team as it is.”
That was true. If Yaz found out I took a night flight out of town, she would have my balls.
I was particularly attached to my balls and my career. Screw it.
She stepped close but didn’t touch me. Her arms wrapped and folded over her chest, her eyes determined and decided. That made the distance between us real.
“Fine. Get in the car,” I said, my heart growing cold while my knees weakened. I couldn’t believe she was doing this. “I tell you I love you, and you tell me to leave. I don’t think it gets any clearer than that. I guess I should just be thankful you didn’t just drop me another Dear Shaw note.”
I didn’t wait for her response. We both rode to the airport in silence. I had the plane on standby, not knowing what the evening would hold. Maybe deep down, I knew this would be the outcome.
When we reached the tarmac, I got out of the car and popped the trunk.
“Shaw? Where are you going?” Aaron’s sleepy voice said from the darkened backseat. He straightened up and leaned into the light from the overhead light in the car.
“I got to get back to Charlotte, buddy. Your mom is going to take you home and get you settled. You have school tomorrow, don’t you?”
“When will you be back?”
I didn’t have the strength to answer that, and I refused to admit I didn’t know. “Not sure, but hey, you call me or text me. Okay? About anything.”
“I wish I could go with you,” he said, his tone hiding his real age and sounding like a small child.
I put my hand in the car, mussed his hair, and said, “I know. Me too.”
Kelcie was behind me, ready to get into the driver’s seat. The wind had picked up, and she tucked the hair straying from her ponytail behind her ears. With her back to the light, it was hard to see her face. “Good luck this week.” She shifted on her feet, probably anxious for me to leave.
I put my unused duffel bag over my shoulder and stared at the plane. There wasn’t anything left for me to do except fulfill the one thing asked of me. I left. “Drive safely.”
Then I walked up the stairs to the plane, my eyes burning, and lied to myself that it was the wind.
42
Kelcie
“It just doesn’t make any sense. Why now?” Grace said.
I dropped Aaron off at school and called in to work. I was sick to my stomach.
“I don’t know. He’s a jealous asshole,” I said, rubbing my hand over my forehead in a vain attempt to stop my mind from reeling. “He just got married, and he has a happy little family. Why all of a sudden does he care?”
“I don’t know, but girl, we need to get in front of this. Did you call your lawyer?”
“I did. He’s supposed to call me back.”
She let out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry you are going through this. What is Shaw doing?”
“He’s back at practice today. There isn’t anything he can do. Truthfully, having him involved just pissed James off more.”
My phone beeped with an incoming call. It was from a law firm I didn’t recognize. Great. James probably hired new attorneys. He wasn’t wasting any time.
“Grace, let me get this,” I said. “Just hold on a moment.”
“Yep. Sure,” she said.
I answered the other call. “Hello?”
