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I pry myself from his hold and turn to face him. “You keep saying that, but there’s nothing to figure out. I lost my job, I’m mortified, and I don’t want to go anywhere near the team…”
“Why do I feel like you’re talking about me too?”
I swallow past the painful lump in my throat.
He pushes a hand through his hair and steps back. “Jesus, you’re just going to walk away from us?”
I shake my head. “I told you this would happen. They’re not going to get rid of the star player when they can just as easily buy me off. It was never even a decision for them, Lee. I can’t believe you’re that jaded.”
Guilt covers his features as he comes toward me, but I put out my hand.
“I’m sorry, Shayna. You’ll never know how much. But we can get past this.” I step farther back when he reaches for me. Fear lights up in his eyes. “What does this mean for us?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t. But I need you to leave right now. I have to be alone.” I wrap my arms around myself and look away from him.
“I’m sorry, shy pie.”
I squeeze my eyes shut against the sting of tears at the use of my nickname. “I’ll reach out when I know what it means for us.”
I can’t bear to watch as he silently leaves my apartment. We might never come back from this.
It’s Sunday, and Bryce came over to spend the day with me so that I’m not tempted to turn the game on just for a glimpse of Lee. The Kingsmen are playing New Orleans today, and all morning, all I’ve been able to think about is what Iwouldbe doing today if I was still working for the Kingsmen.
Prepping and taping players, going over any new injuries with the medical staff. Not moping on my couch with a Tupperware bin of Christmas cookies my mom sent home with me and a full pitcher of sangria.
“Do you want to watchBachelor in Paradisenext or binge-watchBridgertonagain?” Bryce asks with my remote in her hands.
“There’s probably more heartbreak onBachelor in Paradise,so let’s watch that.”
With a nod, she speaks it into the remote. “Did you reach out to a lawyer to go over the Kingsmen’s offer yet?”
Her voice is hesitant and for good reason. I haven’t wanted to discuss the contract they handed me on Friday—it was like pouring salt into an infected wound.
I shake my head and refill my glass with sangria. “I’m not taking their offer.”
“Good for you. Squeeze those assholes for every dime they’re worth.” She presses the button once the show comes up in the search.
“No, you misunderstand me. I’m not taking any money from them. It’s insulting that they think they need to pay me off to keep me from causing problems. I’m an adult. I went into the relationship with Lee with my eyes wide open. I won’t give them the satisfaction of signing that contract and cashing that check like I was a whore who seduced him.”
Bryce gives me what I think is a proud smile. “I take back what I said earlier about squeezing them for every penny. Your plan is much better.”
“Thanks. And thanks for coming over today to keep me from wallowing.”
She chuckles. “Well, you’re definitely still wallowing, but that’s to be expected. Your life just imploded.”
I give her a wan smile, pulling the blanket over my legs. “Thanks.”
She stares at me for a beat, then opens her mouth to say something but closes it.
“What?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing.” She sips her sangria.
“You were going to say something.”
“I was, but I forget now.” She waves me off.
I tilt my chin down and look at her from under my eyebrows. “You’re not one to school your thoughts. Speak.”
