Page 120

“I’m glad.”

He helped me into my skirt and pulled his team shirt and compression shorts back on. “I wish I had your hoodie here. It’s in my locker. I told you it was yours. I told you to keep it.”

“It felt wrong wearing it when we weren’t…”

“We’re something now though, right?”

“I don’t know what we are. But yes, we’re something.”

We sat on the treatment table together, his arm around me, my head on his chest.

“What happens now?” I asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Denver wants an answer Monday.”

“What are you going to tell them?”

“I’m still thinking.”

He was quiet for a long moment. “If you go, I’ll understand.”

“Will you?”

“Yes. This is a wonderful opportunity for you.”

I sat with that for a moment. He truly did love me if he was willing to let me go.

“You were incredible tonight,” I said. “Like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

“I worried it was too late, that I’d destroyed everything.”

“You almost did.”

“Yes.”

“But you didn’t because I love you. And love doesn’t die that easy.”

He pulled me closer. “I’ve been thinking about what Crim said, about me only valuing myself for what I do in the net. He’s right. I’ve spent my whole life thinking that’s all I am.”

“But you’re not.”

“I’m starting to believe that because of you.”

I looked up at him. “Because I fixed you?”

“No. Because you saw me at the picnic, and you thought I was worth talking to.”

“You were worth talking to. You still are.”

“Even after everything?”

“Especially after everything.”

“If I asked you to stay—” He shook his head.

“Don’t.”