Page 101 of Golden Goal

A few minutes later, I’m leaving my house and heading toward Becca’s apartment. The drive is quick and I greet the doorman as I head for the elevator.

It takes its sweet time getting to Becca’s floor but eventually it opens and I get off, making my way to her door and knocking. I step back, shoving my hands into my pockets as I wait for her to answer.

As I’m about to accept that she’s not home, she pulls open the door. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the sight in front of me. Her eyes are red rimmed and bloodshot, and her nose is red.

“Becca, what’s going on?” I ask, stepping closer to her.

She shakes her head. “Nothing.” Her voice quivers.

“Can I come in?” I reach for her, but she takes a half step back, and I drop my hand.

She shakes her head again, not looking at me. “I don’t think so. I think we should break up.”

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

“I’m not being traded,” I rush out. “If that’s what this is all about, I spoke to Sutton a little while ago and the rumors aren’t true.”

She gives me a small smile. “I’m glad you won’t have to leave your Storm family.”

“What’s going on? Becca, sweetheart. Talk to me.” I roughly run a hand through my hair.

“I can’t.” She swallows, fiddling with the belt of her robe. “We were a mistake. I should never have agreed to date you.” She shakes her head, closing her eyes for a second. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Rebecca. What are you talking about? What happened?” I rub my chest, hoping to relieve the ache that’s forming.

She shifts her weight from side to side, hugging the robe closer to her. “Nothing happened. I just realized I can’t do this, us, anymore. I’m sorry.”

“Can we talk about this? Tell me what I did wrong,” I plead. “Whatever it is, I can fix it.”

How did I manage to screw this up? I thought I was doing everything right, but now, apparently not.

“It’s nothing you did. You’re gone so much, Holt. I thought I could deal with it, but I can’t. You’re going to be so busy the second half of the season, and what little free time you have, you should spend with your daughter, not me.” She blinks a few times and swipes away a tear. “It’s not meant to be. Goodbye, Holt.” She shuts the door.

“Becca.” My voice cracks.

I knock on the door again, hoping she’ll have a change of heart.

That she’ll talk to me.

But she doesn’t answer.

I stand there for who knows how long, turning her words over and over in my head, before finally turning and walking back to the elevator.

I drive home on autopilot, and it’s not until I’m standing in the kitchen, and Hadley is shaking my arm, that I snap out of my haze.

Chapter thirty-eight

Rebecca

Those were the hardest words of my life to utter. Definitely a top five worst moment. But it had to be done. It’s the only way to protect him and Hazel.

I will myself to walk away from the door and back to the couch where I sink down onto it. Peaches must sense something’s wrong because she comes over and lies in my lap.

“He might very well have been the love of my life,” I tell my cat.

Saying it out loud has me crying hysterically again. But it was the right thing to do.

It’s all my fault his ex was stalking him, and now that I’m out of the picture, maybe she’ll leave him alone.