Chapter 27

Reese

 

 

Sunlight breaching the window shades stunned my pupils as I tried to open my eyes. Everything around me felt out of sorts. Memories of hydroplaning, crunching metal, the loud pop of the driver’s airbag, and the smell of burned fabric from its deployment, all came rushing back to me. As did the memory of Trent appearing seemingly out of nowhere.

That was when I remembered he brought me home. For a moment, or several moments throughout the night, I imagined Trent by my side. But when I heard a faint snore, I knew it wasn’t my mind playing tricks on me. Trent was in my bed asleep next to me.

Our conversation from the night before played in my head. I was thankful he wasn’t with Casey, an emotion that made me feel a bit better, but there was still the matter of his career. We’d never see eye-to-eye about it. If he moved somewhere to play, how could I possibly cheer him on? My eyes rolled at my own thoughts. Trent wasn’t my boyfriend, despite how lovingly he acted last night.

He blinked a few times before blessing me with those beautiful green eyes I’d missed so much.

“Good morning. How are you feeling?”

“A little sore, but other than that I feel fine.”

Trent sat up, the covers fell away, and his bare chest looked more toned than I remembered. Staring seemed to be the only option because that was what I did.

“Sorry, I got warm last night.” He got out of bed, reached for his T-shirt, and slid it on. Every one of his abs flexed in his movements. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? I’ll make us breakfast.”

Taking his lead, I pushed the covers off, and when I stood a rush of reality slammed into me. “Thank you for taking care of me. I could use a cup of coffee.”

He ran his fingers through his sexy bedhead hair before coming to stand in front of me. “Reese, last night scared the hell out of me.” Not knowing what to say other than, how do you think I felt when I saw you hit the turf and get carted off, I remained silent. Trent reached forward and cupped my cheek. It took every bit of resolve not to lean into it.

“How did you find me? My purse had been thrown off of my lap, and I didn’t have my phone to call anyone.” My eyes sprung wide while my heart dropped. “Oh no! Alexa and my grandparents. I never called them.”

“I took care of it. I sent your grandfather a text last night when you were in the bathroom. He said he’d tell Alexa. You should probably call them a little later.”

“Okay, thank you for doing that.”

“I’d do anything for you, Reese.” Not wanting to delve into all the meaning of that comment, I remained silent. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

***

Trent on the football field was sexy. Trent naked was amazing. Trent cooking? Well, that took his amazing sexiness to an entirely different level. I sat at my kitchen island, while he stood in front of the stove making pancakes. It didn’t matter that he had a dress shirt on, each muscle in his back could still be seen.

A circle flew into the air before it landed on a plate. I took a sip of my orange juice just as he placed a small stack of hotcakes in front of me.

“I hope you don’t mind, I found a mix in your cabinet and figured I couldn’t screw them up.”

“Mind? Are you kidding?” I drizzled syrup over the top, cut into them, and slid a forkful into my mouth. “So good,” I mumbled between chews. Before I knew it, half of them were gone.

Trent placed his hands on his side of the counter, leaned forward, and locked eyes with me. “I’m really sorry for what I said to you at your grandfather’s office. Everything spiraled quickly. When I heard you tell him you wouldn’t want me on the Thunder, something inside of me broke, and I snapped.”

I dabbed my lips with a napkin. He thinks something inside of him broke? My heart shattered that day. Still, staying angry wouldn’t help matters. According to Jackson, Trent had moved on. Since it hadn’t been with Casey, it must mean he would be joining another team.

“I’d say the same, but I’m not sorry. Granddad asked me for my opinion, and I gave it. I’d give the exact advice again. My mind won’t change.” His Adam’s apple worked down a hard swallow. “I know that isn’t what you want to hear, but it’s the truth.” Taking a moment to collect my thoughts, having an internal debate as to whether or not I wanted to know, I added, “Jackson told me you went to Arizona to talk to them.”

“I did. They made me an offer.”

Forcing a smile, I rolled my shoulders back. “You need to do what makes you happy. Not me, your fans, or an eager organization. It’s your life and you should live it how you’d be happiest.”

“What about you?”

“Me? Well, if we’re being honest, you said hearing my words at Grandad’s office caused something inside of you to break. Watching you walk away from me that day crushed me. It almost made me wish I still hated you.”

“Why?”

“Because hating you was easier than loving and losing you.”

His head dropped forward and hung between his shoulders. Not knowing what to do, I slid off the stool. The cool hardwood beneath my bare feet did little to ebb the heat rising up my spine.

“I don’t know how to respond to that.” Trent finally raised his head and his green eyes shimmered with sadness. “Somewhere along the line or maybe it was the day in the stadium, I fell for you, Reese. But I understand where you’re coming from. The last thing I’d ever want is to make your life difficult.”

One tear slid from each of my eyes. “Looks like we’re at a crossroads.”

Trent strode around the island until he was next to me. He took my cheeks in his hands, ran his thumbs along the damp path on my skin, and brought his lips to mine. It wasn’t a sexual kiss or a kiss that said we can get through this. It was a kiss that felt like goodbye. My arms lopped around his neck, forcing his hands to move to my hips. Our bodies pressed against one another as we held each other for what I believed was the last time.

Breaking apart, I used his move and cupped his stubbled cheek with my hand. I love you tickled the tip of my tongue but those three words never came out. The ache in my chest was palpable. At one point, I wondered if he could hear it breaking.

“I should get going.” Trent took a step back and my hand limply fell to my side. “Be sure not to push yourself today.” When I arched a brow, his lips quirked to the side. “Just take it easy.”

“Okay.”

We walked toward my front door and each step felt longer than the last.

“Thanks again, Trent.”

Trent kissed my cheek before walking out the door and most likely out of my life.