Page 135
She presses her lips together with a look of sympathy. “I feel like that's an answer you can really only get from him.”
I nod, but getting that answer from him would mean unblocking his number and reaching out to him, and that's just not something I'm ready to do. “Why do you want me to forgive him? Why the change of heart after what he did?”
She lifts a shoulder. “Maybe you were right. You’re an adult, and you seemed happy with him. Even if he’s a stupid fuckin’ hockey player.”
I actually laugh at that as I heat up my egg sandwich, and I'm about to take a bite when the doorbell rings.
Everleigh moves to stand, and I motion for her to sit.
“I got it,” I say. “You rest.”
She nods, and I head to answer her front door.
When I peek through the peephole, I can’t see out over the bouquet of flowers at the door. It must be Mav sending his pregnant wife flowers on sentencing day. Maybe a cute card saying something about how he wishes he could be by her side today.
Maybe he’s even the one holding the flowers.
I throw the door open, and I’m shocked to find not Maverick Jennings standing there at all…but Cash Maddox.
His scruff is more grown-in than before, and it’s one of the rare occasions when he’s not wearing a backward hat. He wears a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows paired with charcoal pants.
A million emotions plow into me at once as my eyes meet his. His are dark and full of fear, I think.
Hurt, betrayal, and heartbreak are among the first of those emotions, but they ride steadily along with the love that’s still there, still burning hot and strong, and maybe even the tiniest glimmer of hope.
“Cash,” I whisper.
“Hey.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I heard your dad’s sentencing was today, and if I know you as well as I think I do, I figured you’d be pretty nervous this morning and maybe needed someone who loves you and isn’t related to you by your side to hold your hand through it.”
“I, uh—” I have no idea what to say. I have no idea what to feel, either, or what to do.
He holds out the flowers, and I take them from him. I breathe them in, hoping the oxygen will help me not faint right now.
“I know today’s a hard day, and I’m not here to force you into some decision you’re not ready to make.” He holds up both hands and moves slowly, like I’m a wild animal who might run at any second.
I might, but I also feel like my feet might be glued to the ground at the moment.
“Then why are you here?” I ask.
“To put you first. You’re hurting, and I’m here to be by your side today.”
My jaw slackens. “That’s it?” I ask.
He nods. He’s still standing on the porch. I haven’t invited him in.
“Aren’t you missing practice?” I ask.
He nods again.
Whoa.
“Won’t you get in trouble?”
“Probably. But I don’t care. None of it matters as much as you.”
