Page 182 of Over the Line

I was a little confused by the fact that even considering retirement didn’t fill me with anxiety, grief, or dread. When I’d made the decision, knowing there was a chance I’d have to follow through, I hadn’t panicked. If anything, I’d been… okay with it. Ready for it in ways I didn’t quite understand.

That was something to sort out another day, though. Right now, I was still the captain of this team, and I needed to do my job.

At Gil’s door, I paused for a deep breath.

Chris and I could make this work.

We would make this work.

As I pushed open the door…

God, I hope we can make this work.

Garrett

Can I see you?

I sat up so fast on the couch, two of my icepacks tumbled to the living room floor. My heart was suddenly going wild and my stomach somersaulted hard.

An avalanche of worse-case scenarios tumbled through my head. What if Garrett wanted to break up with me? What if things had gone south with Chris? What if⁠—

Liam. Slow down. Find out what he wants instead of coming up with imaginary arguments.

With blood thumping in my ears, I responded to his text.

I’m home.

I’ll be there as soon as I can.

By the time my garage door rumbled to life, I was pacing my kitchen like the queasy, nervous wreck I was, clinging to a cup of coffee I really didn’t need.

The garage door started closing. I went to the kitchen door and opened it right as Garrett was getting to the steps, and he froze. Our eyes locked, and we just stared at each other for a moment.

Without a word, I stepped toward him, and then I was in his arms. We didn’t kiss. We didn’t move or even make a sound. For the longest time, we just held on. The garage door finished closing. Silence settled over the house. Still, we didn’t let go.

Finally, I whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“This isn’t your fault.” He stroked my hair. “You didn’t do anything.”

“No, but I⁠—”

“Liam.” He drew back and met my gaze. “This isn’t on you.”

“If you’d been with anyone other than me…”

He quirked his lips, but then shook his head and pulled me in again.

I squeezed my eyes shut and held on. We hadn’t split up. He hadn’t even seemed angry at me. But everything had felt precarious since last night. A breath away from everything—from my career to my relationship—falling apart. Maybe that was rational. Maybe it wasn’t. I wasn’t sure I was capable of being rational where Garrett was concerned. I was completely stupid for him, after all.

“We should go inside.” I gently released him. “Do you want some coffee?”

“No. I’m good.” But he followed me into the kitchen. There, he leaned against the counter, and in the soft overhead light, I could finally see how utterly exhausted and brittle he looked. With a heavy sigh, he wiped a hand over his face. “I don’t know what to do. Chris won’t talk to me or return my calls. I’m terrified I’m going to lose him. And you.”

“We can try to talk to him together if it helps.” I touched Garrett’s face. “You won’t lose me, though.”

He held my gaze, uncertainty written all over his face.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said. “Not unless you want me to.”