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“For all you know, he’s sitting at home now waiting for you to call. Waiting for the chance to apologize for jumping to conclusions.”

“He could just reply,” I counter.

“And you could try again. Sometimes, people need to be chased. They need to be shown that they matter, that they’re important to you. Maybe this is one of those occasions. Or maybe he just needs a little space to process his thoughts and feelings. That notification—despite being insignificant in content—and his reaction to it might have highlighted a few things.”

“Well, how do I know which it is? Chase him or give him space?”

“Ah, well, that’s the fun part.” I raise a brow and glare at her. “You don’t know until you try. But if this is meant to be, you’ll slowly learn what he needs, just like he will for you. You might have fucked up this time, but his time will come, and all of this will be reversed.”

“That can’t happen,” I mutter.

“Why not?”

“Because he doesn’t have someone like you to talk it out with. He…He doesn’t really have anyone.”

“Well, then that’s even more reason why you might need to be the one doing the chasing.”

54

COOPER

Iabandon my luggage at the front door and race toward the one room in my house that is sure to settle me.

The flight home was one of the longest I’ve ever experienced despite its short flying time.

Memories of what happened in the moments before I walked out of my hotel room played out in my mind on repeat, and my frustration and anger over the whole situation only escalated.

I know I’ve got a message from Garrett sitting on my cell.

I saw it before I even got on the team bus, and it’s taunted me ever since.

I should have opened it.

But every time I’ve woken my cell and hovered my thumb over the notification, I’ve chickened out.

I’ll admit it. I’m a pussy.

But the way I felt the moment I saw that notification on his phone scared the shit out of me.

I knew I cared about him, that this thing between us was more than just sex. But I didn’t really appreciate just how deep my feelings ran until I saw it.

The thought of him hooking up with someone else hurt.

It really fucking hurt.

More than I ever would have expected it to.

I rub the heel of my hand against my chest, where the ache is just as strong as it was the second I followed his orders and checked his cell.

I’ve only ever felt my world falling out from beneath me once before, and that was the day Dad called me to say that Mom had died.

If I were able to think a little more clearly in that moment, I might have realized what I’ve figured out since.

Garrett wouldn’t do that.

He’s not cruel enough.

I could see on his face the moment I accused him of still hooking up with others behind my back that it wasn’t true.