Law #3: Don't Fall for the Athlete: Sweet Second Chance Romance (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (black books to read txt) 📗

“Yep. By the way,” he lifts his hands and designates two circles, “all this secrecy is so middle grade. I think you and Ellie should just be open about wanting a second shot at happiness.”

My heart drops. “But we don’t want that,” I murmur.

Devon’s brows arch. “You don’t? Then why did you go on a getaway to Kingman?”

“I mean, I want it—more than anything, but Ellie doesn’t. She—” I stop as Devon’s last phrase settles in. My eyes dart to his smug expression. “How do you even know we were there?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Devon grins. “Your mom and my mom constantly chat on the phone, and Mom calls Laia at least three times every day about the wedding.” His face becomes serious. “By the way, I also heard about your father.”

Devon’s mention of Dad doesn’t faze me much. I just shrug. “Yeah, he’s back in town. Searching for a job if you can trust what he told my mom.”

Devon studies me. “They’re talking to each other, huh? How are you coping with him being back in the family picture?”

I shake my head. “I’m still ignoring him. But I’ve accepted that Mom wishes to stay in contact with him and lend him a hand at setting up his new life in Kingman.”

Devon whistles. “Wow, I didn’t think I’d hear you say this. I imagined your dad’s return would make you blow your top.”

“It’s actually all thanks to your sister that I’m so chilled about this.”

“What’s it got to do with Ellie?”

I inhale and decide to tell Devon the series of events that brought me back to Phoenix.

My friend is right—keeping secrets is childish. Especially when everybody seems to be aware of them anyhow.

I narrate to Devon everything, including the fact that I’ve re-fallen in love with his sister and that she doesn’t want to hear about a future with me.

Devon listens to me with a wrinkled forehead, interrupting me only with an occasional “Oh.”

When I finish, he slams his palms on his knees. “Oh, man, this just keeps getting better and better. Like one of those Latin soap operas Laia and her cousin are hooked on. Skeletons in the cupboard, the hush-hush collaboration between the lead characters, secret trips…” He catches my somber glance and shakes his head. “Sorry. Not helpful.”

“That’s okay.” I bounce my heels on the floor. “Nothing can be helpful here. Ellie wants to date Bill and not me.”

Devon taps his chest. “Do you want to know what I think about this?”

I nod, though I know well what he’ll say. He’ll confirm to me that I’ve got no choice but to give up on his sister.

But maybe hearing it from him will help to stifle the last fragment of stubborn desire that still dwells in my chest.

Devon hooks his fingers in the pocket of his black pants and blinks at me. “It’s all hogwash.”

“Care to elaborate?” I ask, my face drifting into a puzzled grimace.

“What my sis said to you. Laia’s convinced that Ellie’s still in love with you. I trust her judgement on the matters of the heart more than my own. If she says my sister’s heart still belongs to you, she’s right. My bet is Ellie’s afraid of trusting you again. Her refusal has got nothing to do with that shrink from her office.”

“I think you are both wrong. But even if you weren’t, the bottom line’s that Ellie isn’t ready to take another chance on us. I need to respect that.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do.”

Devon shakes his head. “But—”

“No buts, Devon,” I cut him short because I can’t allow him to install any more foolish hope into my chest. “This time, I must do the brave and noble thing. I’ll put Ellie’s feelings and wishes in front of my own.”

Devon studies me, then sighs. “Okay, pal. If you’re convinced that’s what you’re doing. But if you ever want to discuss strategies on how to bring my sis around, I’ll gladly help. It’d be awesome to see two of my favorite people in this world together.”

My throat clenches because I know this day may never come. “Thank you, my friend.”

After I leave Devon’s house, I call my mom to notify her I’ll be arriving soon then drive straight to Kingman.

I keep my eyes fixed on the road and coax all thoughts about Ellie into the limits of unconsciousness. I’ll need to learn to function like this if I want to go on with my life.

When I reach Mom’s house, there’s a rental truck parked beside her Volvo. It’s a Chevy, my dad’s favorite brand. He always loved these sturdy, American steel-on-wheels, precisely because they weren’t the new kid on the block and they’d built their reputation the old-fashioned way.

My stomach tightens.

I steer my Corvette behind the vehicles but stay in my seat even after turning off the ignition.

Am I ready to face my father again?

Mom clearly thinks I am. That’s why she invited him over. And Dad is likely eager to talk to me because he showed up despite knowing that I might refuse to exchange a word with him. But what do I want? What do I need?

To let go of what doesn’t serve you anymore…

Ellie’s sweet jingling soprano is so vivid in my head, I wince.

How will I ever accept having to live without this amazing woman when she advises me even without being present?

Still, her voice is right.

I need closure for my resentment, and I know I’m strong enough to get it.

I open my car door and jump out. As I stroll to the house, I scroll my shoulders and purposefully relax my fingers, almost as if Ellie were watching me.

Even if she doesn’t know what step I’m about to make, I pretend like she does, and I promise myself that I’ll make her proud.

Chapter 33

(Ellie)

Chin propped in my palms, I stare at my boss’s screen with glazed eyes.

I don’t know how long I’ve been in this position, but if the strain in my lower back is any