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Offside Rules

Page 170

by Kenna King

"Then I’ll promise it for me."

I study his face.

He looks uncomfortable. Sorry. Like he’d prefer almost any conversation to this one, but he’s staying here and having it anyway.

"He told me he wouldn’t make me choose," I say.

Beau nods slowly.

"I wasn’t asking him to make me. I was trying to tell him I wanted to be with him."

"I heard you last night."

"He doesn’t seem to believe me."

"Then tell him again."

"I’ve called. I’ve texted. He sent me a message about the shop this morning like that was the only thing I had to worry about."

Beau reaches into his pocket and takes out his phone.

"I bought you a ticket."

I stare at him. "What?"

"To Boston. It leaves in two hours."

"You bought me a plane ticket? Are you crazy? You might have just ended his career and you bought me a plane ticket to go see him after hating him for six years and beating him up on national television. That’s supposed to make this better?"

His mouth pulls to one side. "I’m realizing that part might not be helping my case."

Despite everything, a small laugh escapes me.

"I can cancel it," he adds quickly. "You don’t have to go. I just thought you might want the option."

I look at the phone he’s holding out.

My name. Boston. A departure time that makes me check the clock on the wall.

"Beau, I don’t even have a bag packed."

"Is that really going to stop you? You left a good paying corporate job to start a cakery business from nothing in a town you’ve never lived in."

He makes a good point. I can buy clothes anywhere.

For two days, I’ve wanted to get on a plane. Now there’s a seat with my name on it, and I’m suddenly afraid of what happens when I get there.

"What if he doesn’t want to see me?"

Beau is quiet for a moment.

"He told me he loved you while I was threatening him. I don’t think Boston changed his mind."

I know he’s right. I know I need to get on that plane and tell him I love him in person. I need to put myself out there like he did at the game.

I look toward the tasting room again.

The shop will still be here on Monday. The paint samples, the refrigerator listing, the floor that needs cleaning. I can do all of that when I get back.