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“Oh, yeah, I’m okay. I think I’m just a little in shock from seeing her. It feels like it’s been so long.”

I can barely hear her with the noise in the hallway.

Ryan turns away from my dad and turns to Brooke. “Why don’t you go back to the hotel with the Kings? I’m going to wait for Beck to make sure he’s okay.”

“How will you get back if we have the rental car?” she asks.

“Tim will take the rental, and I’ll catch an Uber back to the hotel when Beck gets on the bus.” He looks at my dad, who nods.

My mom releases me and turns to my dad. “Tim, let’s head out now.”

“Yep, let’s go, girls. Ryan, we’ll see you at the hotel in a bit.” He places his hand on Ryan’s shoulder and squeezes.

None of us says a word on the walk to the car or on the way to the hotel.

But now … it feels like a dark cloud is hovering over what should be a celebration. And I’m not sure if Beck will want to see me at all.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

BECKHAM

Casey’s been tryingto get me to talk since we got on the bus, but if I do, I might blow. But I won’t. Not right now. I refuse to let that woman have any power over me. And honestly, it’s more the fact that I saw her with Charlie that messed me up.

I knew being back in Pennsylvania was going to be hard, but I tried to stay focused on the game. Knowing my family was there, that Charlie was there, helped me to forget about the reasons why it was difficult, being here. I didn’t even know my mom had gotten out of prison, although we had known she was up for parole again in August. I’m guessing my dad knew she had gotten out and didn’t want to tell me because of the playoffs.

I sure as shit didn’t expect her to come to my fucking game. I wonder how she even got a ticket. They weren’t cheap, and I’m sure she’s had trouble getting a job with her record.

Coach pulled me aside before I got on the bus and asked me what had happened. He knows my family history and knows about my mom. I told him she was here, and he told me to let him know if I needed anything. Right now, I need to be anywhere but here.

All the guys are still hyped up from the game as we pull into the hotel. There are people standing outside, waiting for us to arrive, decked out in their Walker gear. Most of the people are family members, but there are some fans staying at the same hotel too.

I’m seated by the tinted window, watching everyone outside, cheering and celebrating. Casey nudges me to get up so we can disembark, but I wave him off.

“I’m good. I’ll wait for everyone to get off and then come in.”

“I’ll wait with you. I’m not letting you sit in here and walk in there alone. You’re my best friend, Beck. I’ve got your back, man.” Casey sits back down in the seat and lifts his fist for a bump.

I make a fist and bump his hand and nod once. I look back out the window to look for Charlie. I want to see her so bad, but also don’t. I have to explain it all now whether I want to or not. I can’t brush this under the rug anymore. And if I want a future with her, she needs to know it all.

Once everyone is off the bus, Casey and I get up to leave. We have to get our bags that the driver set out for us from the undercarriage. Our bags are the last two player bags left. We grab them and head into the hotel. Most of the family members and fans have gone inside now. A lot of them are still hanging around the lobby though. Some of the guys have stopped to talk to people, and I see Coach hugging his wife and kids. Everyone looks so fucking happy.

Casey is walking beside me and nudges me to get my attention. He tilts his head toward a seating area, where we see Charlie sitting by herself. She looks upset, and I hate that I’m the reason for it. I’d rather not have this discussion here, so I’m hoping to talk about it when we get home, but I have a feeling I won’t be so lucky.

“I’m going to drop my bag and go see my parents. You good?” Casey asks as we get closer to where Charlie is sitting.

“Yeah, I’m good. Will you take my bag up with you to the room?” I turn to him, and he reaches out his hand for my bag. “Thanks, Case. I’ll be up after I talk to her.”

“Okay. We can talk about all of this after you speak to her, but I do think it’s past time you tell both of us the whole story, don’t you?” He looks at me, eyebrows raised in question.

“I know. It’s just a part of my life I try not to think about.”

“Brother, it’s Charlie. Nothing you say will change the way she feels about you. You guys are in a really good place. Now, go over there and don’t make my sister cry.” He nods and turns to walk away.

I watch him as he gets on the elevator. I can feel Charlie’s eyes on me now. I can’t avoid this anymore, so I walk over to her. She’s sitting in a chair, and there’s an empty one with a table between them.

Her hand is on the arm of the chair, and I reach over and grab it.

“Hey,” I say quietly.