Page 61 of Penalty Kill

If she couldn’t say it to them, I knew she would never say it to me.

I shook my head and stood from my desk. It was time. I couldn’t put this off any longer.

I walked to the living room where she was sitting up in bed. The boys were at school, and I didn't have practice until later. Now was the perfect time, if there was such a thing.

“Hey,” she said as I sat on the couch next to her bed.

“I’ve got something for you.” I held the envelope in my hands, its lightness not justifying its severity.

“Oh yeah?” She turned down the television and waited.

“Yeah, the settlement came in, and your insurance sent over the check for your car.”

She nodded.

“I can find another car for you.”

“That’s okay.” Her quick response made me sick. Of course not. She couldn’t take a car with her when she left. I just wanted her to lie. To say yes and give me a glimmer of hope.

“Then this is for you.”

She took the envelope from me and pulled out the first check. I wanted to throw up. It was for over a hundred thousand dollars. More than she would have made working with me in an entire year. More than she needed to fly anywhere in the world and start a new life. She could live her dream now.

“Whoa.” A tiny smile pulled at the corner of her lips. She was putting it all together. “How?”

“My attorney’s pretty good. None of the magazines or papers wanted to go to court, so they were happy to settle.”

“Thank you.” She didn’t take her eyes off the check. Where she saw her ticket to freedom, I saw disappointment and pain.

“Sure, let me know if you want me to take it to your bank for you or if you need help with anything else.”

I stood to leave.

“Brandon?”

I turned and forced myself to meet her eyes.

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

I walked out. I tried. I took care of her. Made sure she had everything she needed or wanted. Anything I could to help her heal. We’d talk and pretend like there wasn’t anything hanging over us. I fell harder. I should have let her rest, but I wanted to squeeze out every second with her I could.

A week. That’s all I had left.

* * *

I wasn’t giving up without a fight. I had to be able to tell the boys one day, if they asked, that I had done all I could. It would’ve been easier to just enjoy the days we had left, not exposing more of my heart for her to crush, but she was worth it.

It was terrifying to think of being vulnerable, even with her, but it was all I had left. It was the last play I had.

I recruited the women for help, and they jumped at the chance. Chloe and Madi were taking the boys for the night, and Emma arranged for a catered dinner, so all I had to do was focus on what I was going to say. I’d told Sydney I had dinner plans for us, but that was it. She was up and moving around much better, but I didn’t want to push her by taking her out. We were going to have what I hoped was a romantic night in.

Once everything was ready, I went to the living room to help her to the dining room.

“Why do I feel like I’m walking into something scary?” she asked with a small smile.

“Nothing scary,” I promised.

“Then why is everyone being so secretive.”