I pace back and forth in front of my cubby, waiting for Max to return. I haven’t heard a word from Paige, but I know she got the delivery. I was notified when she signed for it and I’ve not been able to shake the nervous energy coursing through me all day. She has to show up. I need to know I didn’t completely fuck this up with her.
“Hey, man, you doing okay?” I look up to see Will staring at me with concern marring his brow.
“I fucked up with Paige. You know that article that came out in the Chronicle a week and a half ago?” He nods. “Well, I thought she wrote it, but she didn’t, and instead of even giving her a chance to tell me her side of things, I kinda blew her off.”
Shame courses through my body as I think back on how I treated her. Please let her come tonight. I need to see her.
“I really hope you’re able to work things out, man. What you two had seemed like the real deal. But if I were you, I’d be prepared to grovel hard. I have sisters, and if a guy ever treated them like that, I’d tell them to drop his ass.”
I nod my head because I would expect no less from Will. But it also makes me a little sick that there’s even a smidgen of a chance she won’t let me fix this. Will leaves me to do his pregame ritual, while I sit on the bench, fidgeting with my hands and begging the universe to help me right this wrong.
“Jack.”
I look up to see Max walk in and instantly shoot up from my sitting position. “Is she
here?”
He frowns apologetically and shakes his head. My heart sinks.
Fuck. She’s not going to come.
“There’s still time. The game hasn’t even started yet,” he attempts to reassure me.
I nod my head, but the reality is it doesn’t matter if she comes to the game or not. I’m not letting her go, not this time. If she won’t come to me, then I’ll go to her.
Resolve and determination pump fiercely through my veins as I clap Max on the shoulder and then head out to the field. I need to come up with a Plan B. This time I’m not giving up without a fight.