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“CTE.” I let out a breath. “I’m well on my way if I don’t step back now.”
The room is silent. The only sound I could hear was the faint music flowing from June’s TV upstairs.
“It’s serious?” He clears his throat.
“Yeah. Could be. Doc is advising I retire early to avoid any more damage that could lead me down that road.” I lift a shoulder. “I haven’t even had time…”
“To live,” he interrupts.
“I’ve loved football. Breathed, ate, slept, and played the game. I want more East. While I still can,” I admit.
He nods. “Then I suggest you go get your girl.”
I sit on the front porch of Tilly’s cabin. My leg bouncing as anxiety sifts through every muscle in my body. I could have easily gone inside the locked door, but I wasn’t really ready to reveal that secret yet. I’ve kept a lot of secrets from her over the years, but all were for her own good. I have always thought one day. One day when she had graduated college and began her dream job teaching at the Timber Creek Center. When my career was in full swing. When I could tell Adam the truth. But time just slipped away.
Tires crunch in the snow and headlights flash across my face. She pulls up slowly, then climbs out of the car. Her long legs move towards me, and I still have never felt a pull so strong to anyone else to this day.
“What are you doing here?” She frowns.
“Can we talk?” I push to my feet.
Her gaze follows me, then she hesitates, her eyes meeting mine before she nods.
When we step inside, she shrugs off her coat, sitting her purse on the table that’s piled with mail.
I run my palms down my jeans when she turns to face me. Her arms cross with the intended expression of impatience.
“I need to apologize.” I blow out a breath. “I’m sorry, Rosie. For a lot of things.”
“You’re sorry?” She perches her hands on her hips. “Are we really doing this now? I just got back from touring the venue for my wedding.”
“Damn right we’re doing this now. It’s been a long time coming.”
“And who’s fault is that?” She fires back.
“It’s mine.” I tap my chest. “I’m the one to blame for this and I’m so fucking sorry.”
“For what Greyson? For barging into my house in the middle of the night? For kissing me like you had any right to?” She drops her hands and takes a few steps to me. “Or are you sorry for what happened seven years ago? When you made me believe we actually meant something to each other? Or could be you’re sorry for ghosting me? For leaving without so much as a fucking goodbye!” She shouts.
“All of it,” I shout back.
She flinches at my raised voice and my hands tug at my hair.
“I’m sorry I ever made you feel like we didn’t mean anything to each other. But fuck, Tilly. You were seventeen!” I shake my head. “I was leaving. You had school and plans and…...”
“I wasn’t jailbait, Greyson.” She throws her hands out. “It wasn’t like it was illegal.”
“You were in high school.” I glance up at the ceiling before I add. “And vulnerable. Your mom had just died. And Adam…he was my best friend and he...”
“Asked you to talk to me.” She finishes. “What? You think I didn’t know he asked you to see just how screwed up I was?”
My brows furrow. “How did you know that?”
She lets out a weak laugh. “I overheard you and him on the phone. After you left.”
I swallow, trying to remember the conversation.
She turns to the pile of mail, reaching out to comb through the random envelopes. “You didn’t spend time with me because you wanted to, you did it because he asked you to.” Her voice cracks on the last word, and it echoes through my heart. I hate the pain it carries.
