Out of Bounds (The Summer Games #2)(110)

I dropped my bag and walked over to offer her a hug. God, it was awkward and short, and we both laughed as we stepped away from one another, glad it was over.

“Don’t worry about it. I wasn’t exactly the easiest person to live with either.”

“Brie, we gotta go,” Molly said, hovering near the door. “I reserved a taxi and it’s already downstairs waiting for us. I don’t want some other athlete to snatch it.”

I nodded at June and then walked back to Rosie and Lexi, demanding one final hug from each of them. It was hard to leave them behind in Rio, but I knew we’d see each other again someday.

I tried Erik a few more times on the way downstairs. I had no clue what I would say to him if he did answer—I’m an idiot, don’t leave me?!—but I needed him to know I wanted him to come to Texas. I wanted it more than anything. I had no clue what it would be like, where he would stay, what I would do now that I was finished training and competing, but I wanted him there with me. We’d figure it all out together.

“Still no answer?” Molly asked beside me in the back seat of the taxi.

I shook my head and stared out the window, contemplating the idea that I might have just ruined my chances with the best man I’d ever known. I knew better than anyone how much it hurt to have the rug pulled out from under you when you allowed yourself to be vulnerable like he had this morning. He had every right to ignore my calls.

Molly reached out and grabbed my hand, squeezing it in hers. “Remember the first day you arrived in Seattle? When we stood at the window in our room and I told you Erik’s one-night stand looked a lot like you?”

My stomach twisted with jealousy at the idea of Erik sleeping with another woman, but I forced myself to nod.

“I knew, even then, something was going to happen between you two.”

My brows arched as I whipped my head to face her. “Really?”

She smiled and nodded. “I worked with him at Seattle Flyers for a few years and while he was a good coach, he wasn’t particularly pleasant. I’d seen him make more than one girl cry, but when you showed up, you acted like he didn’t even phase you. You stood up to him right away, and I think that scared the shit out of him.”

Her words were pushing the dagger deeper into my heart. I glanced down to my phone clutched in my hand and tried to call him one last time before we arrived at the airport. He still didn’t answer.

“Don’t give up,” Molly said, squeezing my hand tighter.

I nodded as we pulled up to check-in. In a few moments I would leave Molly for good and though I knew we would reunite someday, it wouldn’t be the same as having her around 24/7. In the last few months she’d been my good friend, my fiercest competition, and arguably my biggest ally.

“I wouldn’t have survived any of this without you, Molly.”

She laughed and shook her head. “You were always meant to win gold. You deserved every moment up on that podium.”

I leaned over and pulled her in for a tight hug. “Will you see Duncan when you return to Seattle?”

She blushed as I pulled back. “He’s taking me on a date tonight.”

My heart exploded with happiness for her. At least one of us was ensured a happy ever after.





Chapter Forty-Three


Erik





Brie was supposed to be happy when I said I was coming to Texas. She was supposed to jump off the bed and wrap her arms around my neck, kiss me until I guided us back to the bed, promising we had time to make love once more before we had to leave for the airport. I could hardly sleep the night before. I’d stayed up fantasizing about our trip together, the new form our relationship would take in Austin.

I had unfinished business to attend to once I arrived. I needed to see my mom and at some point, I would have to speak with my father. They were part of the reason why I was going home, but more importantly, I wanted to be there with Brie. I wanted her to meet my mom, to hold my hand as I spoke with my father, but I knew something was off as soon as I walked out of the bathroom.

Her face was pale and her smile was flat, nearly a frown. I’d intended on easing her into the idea of us going to Texas together, but there wasn’t any time. She’d been busy the last few days and she’d needed space to keep her head in gymnastics. Besides, I knew it was up to me to make the move. She needed to know how serious I was about us and nothing would prove it more than sticking by her side now that the competition was over.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t taken the surprise well. When she’d gathered her bags and walked out of my condo, she’d torn my heart in two. I wanted to run after her and force her to stay, to see reason, but I knew I couldn’t force things with Brie. She was always the first one to run, and I feared if I pushed her, I’d drive her away for good.

So I let her go and I rode to the airport by myself. I sat in the terminal, waiting with the other passengers with my back to the windows so if Brie showed up, I’d be the first one to see her. Still, something dark in me thought she wasn’t going to come. I folded forward and dragged my hands through my hair, trying to convince myself it wasn’t the end of the world if Brie walked away from me, from us. I was going to Texas for noble reasons. I would arrive in Austin, rent a car, and drive the short distance to my parents’ house. I would walk in and hug my mom, tell her how much I’d missed her in the last few years, and then I would turn to my father and hug him too. If my mother had been honest about how remorseful he was, the conversation wouldn’t be so hard. He’d tried to reach out multiple times. I’d even read a letter or two where he apologized for everything he’d put me through, but this time it was different. This time, I was open to hearing an apology, and I knew by the end of the day, my family and I would patch things up as best as possible.