Page 28 of Buzzer Beater

Madi looked over her shoulder and shook her head but stopped walking. When we reached them, Grant nodded. “I’m going to steal the shower.”

“Sounds good,” I said.

I watched him walk away before looking at the two, who stared at me with impatient faces. “How is she?”

Chloe looked pleased by my question. “I think she’s okay. Amber’s protective of her, which makes sense, but I think she’s okay.”

That was not the information I wanted. Okay told me nothing.

Madi pursed her lips. “There’s not much to tell. Really. She’s hurt or was hurt. And I think seeing you here after all this time is a shock.”

I nodded. I felt the same way.

“Why do you want to know?” Madi asked with a serious look in her eyes.

Why did I care so much? Why did I want to know every word she said to them? “Because even though it’s been a long time, and she hates me, I still want her to be happy. I want to make her happy.”

“You don’t want her back?” Chloe asked with an appraising glance.

I shrugged. “We’re different people now. I’m not sure if we’d still work together.”

“But if you had the chance?”

“Do I? Have a chance?”

Madi cut in. “You’re both here. If you ever had a chance, now would be the time.”

“But that doesn’t mean it’s what she wants.” They were infuriating. How frustrating could two women be? I almost laughed. These two were some of the worst when it came to confusing men.

“No, we don’t know what she wants. I’m not sure she does. There is something you should know though.”

I searched Chloe’s face. “What?”

She and Madi exchanged an indecipherable glace. “I don’t know.” She finally answered.

“What?”

“There’s something.” She paused. “She told us that much but not what it is exactly.”

Madi nodded. “And even if we did, that’s something she would need to share with you.”

I dropped my shoulders. I felt like giving up. Why was I even fighting for this? She hated me.

“Fine.”

They stepped back and turned, leaving me alone to figure out my next step.

I walked back to my room analyzing my thoughts and reactions to seeing Lucy again.

My heart nearly burst when we locked eyes on the boat. I knew those eyes. I loved them. They used to tell me so much more than her words. I may have moved on, but I never let her go.

Maybe I hadn’t moved on. Maybe functioning without feeling like my heart had been ripped from my chest, going out with the guys and their girlfriends or wives and not feeling like I was missing out, and telling myself I wasn’t sad wasn’t moving on.

I still missed her. The way she felt tucked against my chest. How she pushed me to always be my best. Her drive and motivation that seemed to rub off on me. Her smile that always greeted me. I knew with a single glance how much she loved me, back then. I never had doubts when it came to her. She was my constant. My peace amidst all the unknowns I faced in college.

Admitting that felt like a tidal wave crushing me. I leaned against the wall and stared at the ground. If I could go back and change things I would, in a heartbeat. I would have fought for her. I would have demanded she listen to me. I would have proven myself to her. We could still be together now. We could have had these past five years to build a life together. We would have a home, maybe even a family.

I wouldn’t be going through this alone. I’d have someone to celebrate my successes. Someone to share my life with.