Page 174 of Just for the Plot

“I know, but I think we just need to have some…some distance, okay? That’s why I answered the phone, to tell you that we shouldn’t, umm…we shouldn’t—”

“Say it to me without crying, Bower. Tell me to leave you alone without crying.”

She sniffs, takes a second, and then I hear her crying again.

“You can’t. You can’t fucking say it, because you don’t want to say it.”

“Bennett, please.”

“It’s not over, Bower. I don’t know what has happened in the last twenty-four hours, but I’m not going to let you just push me away when I know you don’t want to.”

“Please don’t make this harder. I just…I just need space. Okay?”

“No.”

“Bennett…” She starts crying again, and the sound rips me in half. I don’t want to upset her, but I’ll be damned if she’s going to choose this future for us.

“It’s not over, Bower. Not even close. And I will not allow you to push me away without looking me in the eyes and doing it. You owe me more than that.”

“I…I can’t do this.” And then she hangs up. Disappointment rushes through me.

I stare down at my phone, at the picture of me and her that I have on my wallpaper, my grip tightening.

This is not fucking over.

Over my dead body will I allow her to end us, especially without a solid explanation.

I head back to the locker room just as my phone buzzes in my hand. My heart leaps in my chest, hope spiraling through me that it’s Bower calling back, but instead, it’s Gabby.

I sigh and lean against the wall as I answer the phone. “Hey, Gabs.”

“Oh my goodness, as he lives and breathes. I didn’t think you still talked to your big sister anymore.”

“Sorry, things have been crazy.” I push my hand through my hair, my mind still racing over Bower.

“I know. Playoff run is hard. But you’re almost there.”

“Yeah, pretty close. We have to win this afternoon,” I say on automatic.

“You will. Although, what happened last night? Not to make you feel bad or anything, but yikes, brother.”

“Not my best showing. Put in some extra work this morning, though, warmed up my legs and about to hit the cages to focus on some extension in my swing.”

“Smart. You always put in the work. It will pay off. Ryland also said you’re slicing a little, pulling your shoulder out before you should. Keep it tight.”

“Tell him thank you. I’ll work on that in the cages.”

“I know you will. By the way, I was in San Francisco yesterday. It’s a shame you’re on a long away trip. I could have stolen you away for a second.”

“Wait, you were?” I ask. “Did you see Bower?”

“I did,” she says. “We had lunch at a sandwich shop around the corner from your apartment building. The soup was so freaking good, and Bower caught me up on everything she’s doing. Her book truck and how she put in an order for it, and the name, ugh, so cute. Oh, and she showed me the logo that Cougar helped her with.” A spike of anger shoots up my spine from the mention of his name. Hell, from the mention of the book truck and how she’s done so much, apparently, and not said a goddamn word to me.

“Cougar helped her?” I ask, trying not to say it with a clenched jaw.

“Yeah, he helped her pick out the truck and offered suggestions for the logo. Seems like they’re getting along nicely. It’s good to see her find someone. I know she’s been looking to be in a relationship for a bit, and Cougar, he’s a good one. It’s so sweet that you set her up.”

My tongue glides over my teeth as I try not to break a fucking blood vessel. “Yeah, didn’t, uh, didn’t know things were getting serious for her.”