Rebound (Seattle Steelheads #1)(11)

“Were… Were you planning on marrying him?”

“I thought about it. Didn’t tell the kids, though, because I didn’t want them getting their hopes up until I was absolutely sure it was what I wanted to do. Then come to find out they not only had their hopes up, they’d been promised all kinds of shit once I got off my ass and gave the son of a bitch a ring. He laid the emotional manipulation on thick and drove it home with financial shit too. Promising them all kinds of things they knew I could never afford without him. You know, just to make absolutely sure they’d be able to tangibly feel his absence if I didn’t toe the line.” Geoff laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “If I walked away from him knowing one thing, it’s that I’m never letting another man manipulate my children or lord money over me like that again.”

“Yeah, I can imagine.”

He released a long breath. “I’m sorry.” He rolled his shoulders, then rubbed the left one gingerly. “I came here to check on you, and ended up unloading everything from my own breakup.”

“It’s okay. Actually, it’s…” I hesitated. “I mean, I won’t say it’s good that you went through that, but talking to someone who’s been there… It helps. A lot.”

Geoff met my eyes. “Does it?”

“Yeah. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone about this before. At all.”

“Well, the door’s always open if you need it.”

I managed to smile. “Thanks.” Smile fading, I said, “The season starts soon, but hopefully I have enough time to get my head out of my ass. Or at least get that asshole out of my head.”

Geoff nodded. “Just… If it isn’t enough time? Don’t be too hard on yourself. Even when the worst is over, remember that he didn’t get under your skin overnight.”

I shuddered. “Yeah. I know. And God, speaking of overnight, it’s late and you just got done with your shift. I didn’t mean to keep you this long.”

“It’s okay.” He checked his watch and sighed. “I should probably get going, though. I still need to get back to Lake City tonight.”

“Lake—” I blinked. Mercer Island could not have been farther out of his way. He’d have to go back across Lake Washington and drive clear up past the north end of Seattle. “You live in Lake City, but you came all the way out here?”

Geoff’s smile was tired but genuine. “I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

“Wow. Um. Thanks. You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

We rose, and as we headed to the door, I realized I kind of wanted to ask him to stay longer. Like…a lot longer.

But that was stupid. He hadn’t come here to hook up. He was here as a cop, even if he was off the clock, miles out of his jurisdiction, and dressed in plainclothes. The only reason it even crossed my mind was because I was desperate for a distraction, and a hot silver fox with a badge shoving his dick down my throat would definitely qualify.

I shivered and tamped down on that thought. Opening the front door, I said, “Thanks again. For everything, really.”

“You’re welcome.” He paused. “You still have my card, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Still got it.”

“Okay. Well. The offer still stands—call me if you need anything.”

What if I want something?

I cleared my throat. “Will do. Thanks.”

We held eye contact longer than it seemed like we should have. Then he flashed another quick smile, turned, and headed for his car. I watched him until he’d cleared the last step, and finally made myself close the door.

Alone in the entryway, I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes, and released a long breath.

What a day. What a night.

As Geoff’s engine faded into the distance, I pushed myself off the wall. I checked every lock in the house, changed the code on my security system, collected my phone off the counter—I didn’t turn it on—and trudged upstairs to the bedroom.

I was exhausted, and I needed to sleep so I’d be sharp at practice tomorrow. I’d been sloppy enough today thanks to Nathan. If I didn’t have my shit together tomorrow, Coach Morris would have my head.

So yeah. Sleep. I needed some of that. Like now.

Except I kind of wanted to lie awake for a while and think about the hot cop who’d come by to check on me. It was such a novelty, being free to look at other men. Being able to entertain a fantasy—maybe even jerk off to it—without feeling guilty or being afraid Nathan would somehow know. Geoff was the first attractive man I’d laid eyes on in the wake of my split, so of course he was the one I wanted to think about, and I didn’t try to fight it. No, I completely surrendered to the idea of spending half the night with that cop on my brain, with or without my hand under my shorts.

But even thinking about Geoff and worrying about Nathan couldn’t keep me awake. Everything over the past few hours had pretty much knocked my legs out from under me, and not entirely in a bad way. Though there was no telling what Nathan would do going forward—how long it would take him to accept that our relationship was over, how he’d respond to the restraining order I’d file tomorrow—I’d done it. I’d ended us, and I’d stuck to my guns even when he hadn’t wanted to take “break up” for an answer. Months of apprehension were gone. Countless mental rehearsals had paid off. Dozens of games botched by distraction were behind me.