Page 83 of Break Out

“Aubrey.” I run a hand over my face. “Hockey was my dream, yes. But dreams can change. The Storm is my family, yeah. They always will be. But you’re my home. Hockey is my past, you’re my present, my future.”

“I’m not worth it,” she whispers, her gaze dropping to the ground, and, fuck, my heart breaks.

“Yes, you are, Aubs. You’re worth it to me.”

“No. No. I’m not. You still have years of hockey left. I’m not going to let you give that up for me. I’m not going to let you sacrifice that for me. The Storm want you to sign another contract, right?”

“Yeah. For another three years.” I run a hand through my hair and tug at the ends.

“Do it, Brody,” she whispers, her voice breaking.

“Aubrey.” I level her a look that I hope conveys how I feel. This is ridiculous. Why doesn’t she see that I’ve made up my mind? That she’s all I want. For me to have her, I have to give up hockey. That’s fine. I’ve made peace with that. Hell, I made peace with it at the beginning of the summer when I was convinced the Storm weren’t going to offer me another contract. When I didn’t think I’d have anything or anyone to go to at the end of the day. But now, I can have her.

Why doesn’t she realize that she’s the ultimate prize? That I’d trade anything for her. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be lucky enough to have her and have a great hockey career. I’m the luckiest man alive. All my dreams came true. It’s not a sacrifice for me to retire from hockey. It’s closing one chapter of my life because it’s time to move on to the next one. I furrow my brow, realizing she’s talking to me.

“Brody,” she shakes her head. “I can’t do this.”

My heart stops beating. “You can’t do what, Aubrey?” My voice catches, and I hear the emotion in my words. I hope she’s not saying what I think she is.

“I can’t let you do this,” she whispers. “I’m not worth it.”

“Aubrey—” I start to speak, but she holds up her hand, and I close my mouth.

“I can’t let you give up everything you’ve worked toward for me. I don’t want you to wake up in thirty years and regret this.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“How do you know that? Brody, I’m moving, and that’s it.” She turns on her heel and strides toward the guest room.

“Aubrey,” I call after her.

She doesn’t respond. Maybe she needs some time alone to gather herself. So instead of marching down the hallway to the bedroom, I collect our dishes and start loading the dishwasher.

A few minutes later, the sound of footsteps and suitcase wheels echoes in the hallway, and my heart drops. I shut off the water, grab the towel, and rush to the front door where she’s standing waiting for me, her overnight bag tossed over one arm, her suitcase behind her.

“Don’t go,” I plead. How is she doing this? My heart feels like it’s breaking in two.

“Thank you for going with me to Clara’s wedding.” She swallows, blinking a few times. “You were a great fake boyfriend, but I can’t let you sacrifice your career for me. I won’t let you. Our lives are on two different paths. You know that.”

I push past her and stand in front of the door, blocking her way. It’s probably a dick move. I shouldn’t stop her from leaving if she wants to, but I can’t let it end like this. Her gaze meets mine, and for a second, I think maybe she’s going to reconsider.

“Aubrey.” I heave out a breath, meeting her gaze and hoping she can see the emotion in my face when I say, “We don’t have to be on two different paths. We can make this work.”

“Brody,” she whispers, “I can’t. I can’t do it. Maybe the real reason I’m still single is because I’m not cut out for a relationship. I’m sorry. I can’t.”

We stand there for a moment staring at each other, and finally, I jerk my head in a slight nod, shoulders falling as I step out of her way. I don’t turn back to watch her leave. I can’t. I hear the door open and close as she walks out, taking my heart with her.

“Brody, are you okay?”

I open my eyes and look up to see the whole crew crammed into my living room. Groaning, I run a hand down my face, mentally cursing myself for giving Caleb a key when I left for Key West. “What are you all doing here?”

“Aubrey called Madison,” Caleb says, his brows furrowed together. “Said you might need us.”

I shake my head, sitting up. How long have I been asleep? The sun is streaming through the windows, meaning it’s probably midmorning.

After Aubrey left, I moved around my condo like a zombie, barely conscious of what I was doing. I paced back and forth starting and deleting countless text messages to her. Then I sat on the couch staring at the dark television until the sun set. I couldn’t make myself get up and do anything except pour a glass of bourbon. Which sat on the coffee table untouched because alcohol wasn’t going to solve my problems.

All night I sat and contemplated how to make her see that she’s worth it. That she’s all I want. I must have lain down at some point and fallen asleep, but I don’t remember doing so.