Jacob closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. Didn’t he deserve the same? Didn’t he deserve to be happy in whatever capacity? As hard as it would be to have a family while on the road, it would be worth it. He knew it would.
Or at least he was beginning to believe it would.
What would Hallie have said if he told her the truth about his feelings? What would have happened if he’d stepped out of his truck that night, knocked on the door, and told her he wanted her?
Without having to think it over too hard, he knew in his soul what she would have said.
She would have told them they could figure it out if they worked together.
Because she loved him.
He shut his eyes tighter as the pain intensified. He’d been an idiot.
How many times did he have to get in his own way for him to finally come to the realization that he wasn’t going to get what he wanted without risks? Was it selfish to fall in love with a girl who had strong ties to her family and ask her to pick him?
Absolutely.
But maybe it was time he allowed himself to be a little selfish when it came to the girl of his dreams.
His hands were balled so tight, he was sure his fingers had turned white within his leather gloves. Jacob opened his eyes and flexed his hands to bring feeling back to his fingertips. He wanted Hallie. He wanted it all.
He just prayed that when presented with the choice, she’d choose him.
Jacob shot to his feet, startling a few of the people seated beside him. “Sorry,” he mumbled as he crossed in front of them. The second he got to the stairs, he booked it. He needed to find Kai. His manager was the only person who would be capable of helping him at this point.
He burst from the stadium seating and pulled out his phone. As soon as he found Kai’s contact information, he hit the call button. Thankfully, Kai always had his phone close. “This is Kai.”
“Hey, it’s me. I need a favor.”
“Anything for our star,” Kai quipped.
“Can you convince our sponsor to get me on a plane back home?”
“Anything but that. Sheesh, Hines. What are you thinking? I know you’re probably riding the high of that score, but this is just the first round. We have nine more?—”
“I know that,” Jacob cut him off, rushing to the locker room where he left his stuff. “I’ll be back by the next one tomorrow. I just need to get to Rocky Ridge tonight.”
“Tonight? What…” Kai trailed off then sighed. “This is about that girl?—”
“The love of my life, yes. And I made a huge mistake. I need to see her.”
Kai groaned. “You have her number. You can call her.”
Jacob shook his head. “She probably won’t pick up. I did a number on her.” He waited, holding his breath as Kai took his sweet time letting his words sink in.
“I don’t know if the guys will go for it.”
“Anything, Kai. I’ll do… anything.” He could practically envision Kai raising an eyebrow at that statement. It wasn’t a secret that their sponsor wanted Jacob to do more advertising for their clothing line. Jacob had managed to negotiate less photoshoots in his contract but now he was opening himself up for a great deal more.
It would totally be worth it.
Especially if Hallie agreed to be his.
When Kai sighed once again, Jacob shot his fist into the air. “I’ll meet you in the locker room.”
“I can’t make any promises, Jacob. They’re still licking their wounds over the competitions you missed out on this fall.”
“Tell them I’ll make it up to them and then some,” Jacob promised. Then he hung up before Kai could make another comment.
