Page 175 of Just for the Plot

“Well, from what she told me, they’re taking it slow, but I think that’s how the best relationships form—well, besides me and Ryland, but we are the exception. Anyway, I asked her if she was going to bring the book truck out to Almond Bay and she said she was considering it. She might move. Isn’t that amazing?”

Consider me fucking blindsided, because what the actual hell is happening?

I leave for ten days and feel like my entire life just exploded in front of my face.

“Bennett?”

“Yeah, sorry, uh, one of the guys was asking me something. That’s,uh, that’s great. Hey, I hate to cut this short, but I think it’s my turn in the cages.”

“Yeah, of course. Just glad to hear your voice. Maybe next time I’ll catch you in San Francisco.”

“Totally. Love you, Gabby.”

“Love you too. Kill it today.”

“I will.”

Then we hang up and for the second time in ten minutes, I lean against the wall of the tunnel and slide down to the ground. My world’s crumbling around me, and I have no idea how to fucking stop it.

I just need to get home.

I need to get home and see her and fix all of this.

CHAPTER 32

BENNETT

I don’t think I’ve everraced off a plane the way I did once we landed after our game.

We won, but I didn’t give a fuck. I was rushing all my teammates in the locker room after, getting them on the plane, saying people wanted to get home to their families and the short hour-and-a-half flight felt like fucking five. Once we landed, I bolted and told Nolan to grab my shit for me, and thankfully he agreed to it.And without the expected theatrics.

It’s now eight at night, I’m flying through my neighborhood and booking it up to my parking spot, where I throw my car into park and then get out, locking it as I hustle over to the elevator, with one thing on my goddamn mind: Bower.

I just have to talk to her.

Once I talk to her, then everything will be okay.

I fucking know it.

I get in the elevator, punch the number of her floor, and then rapidly press the close door button on the elevator that I swear doesn’t work.

As I ascend the building, I think about what I’m going to say to her, how I’m going to approach her, possibly even beg if I need to. I’m not opposed to it.

The elevator doors part and I make my way around the corner to her apartment, where I step up to the door, take a deep breath, and raise my hand, about to knock—just as it opens, surprising me.

“Oh, Bennett,” Bower says, shocked and looking fucking gorgeous in a red dress that forms to her stunning frame. Her hair’s curled in droopy waves and red lipstick paints her lips, making them look irresistible.

“Bennett, my man,” a guy says, stepping in behind her.Fuck.“Dude, I’m so glad I’m seeing you in person.” Cougar comes up to me and pulls me into a hug. “Thanks for hooking me up with your friend. Seriously, you did me a real solid.”

When he releases me, I feel like he’s taken every ounce of breath straight from my lungs.

“Bennett, you’re back,” Bower says, seeming uncomfortable.

“I am,” I say, looking between the two of them, clearly on their way out to a date. “Uh, Bower, can I talk to you for a second?”

“We’re actually on our way out,” Bower says.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Cougar says. “I’ll pull the car around.” Then to my fucking horror, he leans in and presses a kiss to her cheek before patting me on the back. “Meet you downstairs.”