Page 132 of Icebound Hearts
I shrug. “It’s back to how it always was, piecing together different people’s schedules to fill the gaps. But that’s not why I miss her.”
“I thought it was just a fling. A short thing while she was in town?”
“That’s what it started as, and what it was supposed to be, but…” I stop short, knowing I’m treading into dangerous territory with Reese. I keep expecting him to jump off the bench and run away because he doesn’t want to hear any of this shit, but he just stays there, watching me and waiting for whatever it is I need to say. “Violet is the best person I’ve ever known.”
He smiles at me, admiration and love for his sister shining in his eyes as he nods. “Honestly? Same. Vi is amazing.”
Our gazes drift back to the floor, neither of us sure what else to say or where to go from here. But Reese finally breaks the silence.
“So what are you going to do about it?”
I glance over at him, unsure what I’m going to find and feeling like the question is loaded as hell, but he’s wearing a neutral expression. I just shrug at him.
“I don’t know. WhatcanI do?”
Reese nods and regards me for a few more moments before he claps me on the shoulder and stands up. “Well, don’t stay in the locker room for too long. Go home and see your son. I’m sure he needs the comfort now too.”
“Yeah, right. Thanks.”
Reese claps my shoulder again and goes to leave, but when he reaches the door, he stops and looks back at me. “When I realized I’d found the best woman I’d ever met, do you know what I did?”
I stare at him and shrug.
“I didn’t let her go,” he answers and leaves the locker room to let me chew on that thought.
Emotions swirl inside me, and I dig the heels of my hands into my eyes while I struggle to sort through it all. What is Reese even telling me to do? Violet has a new life and career out in California, so it’s not like I can fly out there and bring her back to Denver or something—assuming that’s something she would even want. Besides, I’m signed with the Aces, so I can’t leave either, even if I wanted to. And I’m not sure I do, but I’d be a damn liar if I said I wouldn’t consider it to be with her.
One thing I know Reese is right about is that I need to go home and be with Jake. The poor kid has been having a hell of a time adjusting since Violet left, even worse than I thought he would. And arguably even worse than me, which is saying something.
So I grab my stuff and head to the car to drive home. But by the time I get there, I don’t remember anything about the drive. The last thing that comes to mind is climbing in the car, and then the next thing I know, I’m pulling into the driveway at home like I teleported from one place to the other.
Thankfully, Kelsey was free to watch him today. She’s not Violet, but Jake likes her well enough that he tends to have an easier time with her than any of the other sitters I’ve hired. I stepinside and hear the TV going in the living room, but Jake doesn’t come hurtling to greet me like he normally would. And I notice that the welcome home banner he made for me with Violet a few months ago that’s been hanging from the banister since is gone too.
“Hey, Sawyer,” Kelsey greets me from the couch where Jake is lying on his back with Chewy in his arms. He’s staring at the TV but clearly not really watching it.
“Hey. How’s he been?”
Kelsey shrugs. “Same as usual. Doesn’t want to do much, hasn’t said much. He wouldn’t really eat either, but I did manage to at least get a few bites of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in him.”
Jesus, is he depressed too?
My heart twinges at the thought.
“What’s the deal with the welcome home banner?” I ask. Kelsey frowns at me and hesitates. “Whatever it is, just tell me.”
“Jake had a little bit of a meltdown earlier and insisted on taking it down. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I folded it up and put it in the hallway closet. I figured you wouldn’t want to get rid of it, even though Jake wanted to.”
I sigh and reach into my pocket for my wallet to take out some cash to pay her. She pats Jake on the leg as she stands.
“See you later, Jake. Hope you have a better day, buddy,” she tells him, but he doesn’t even acknowledge her. Kelsey gives me a look on her way over to take the cash from me. “I’m no expert, but you might want to get someone for him to talk to about all of this. He’s taking it pretty hard.”
“Thanks, maybe I will. Have a good night, Kelsey. And thanks for covering.”
“Anytime,” she says and pockets the cash before she leaves. I walk to the couch and hover over Jake. He glances up at me but doesn’t say anything, his little face blank.
“Why don’t we go for a bike ride?” I suggest, hoping to distract both of us from all of this, but Jake shrugs.
“I don’t want to.”