Page 76 of Blinding Lights

“But I am. My life is in the spotlight, and I will never forgive myself for what happened to you. Because of me. And I can’t help wondering… What if the same thing happens to Henley or Lily? Or God, what if something happens to Ava?”

“I survived it.”

“Because I walked away, Mom! I left before it got worse. I couldn’t let history repeat itself.” My voice comes out louder than I mean for it to sound, and Mom gasps as her face flushes red.

Fuck. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

“Yes, you did. But you’re wrong. Our situation is vastly different from mine and your father’s. I should have walked away from him. I should have protected you and Henley, but that doesn’t mean I needed you to leave so you could protect me.”

“If I hadn’t protected you, who would have?”

Mom’s shoulders drop and my heart sinks along with them. “That wasn’t your responsibility, and I’m sorry you took that on.”

“Mom—”

“Wait. I need you to listen to what I have to say. I’m sorry I let you see me break after your father left, and I’m sorry you never saw me stand up for myself when he was around. I should have protected you. Not the other way around. But Beckett, I’m proud of the man you’ve become. The real you. Not the man you project to the media. The one you hide behind. I’m proud of the loving and caring man that would do anything to keep his family safe.”

Mom blows out a breath, and it’s impossible to miss the sadness in her eyes. Sadness I never wanted to see again.

“Mom, I⁠—”

“I wish we’d spoken about this sooner. I wish I could have taken the burden away from you. But since we can’t go back, I need you to promise me something.”

“I know what you’re going to say and I can’t promise that. I will always worry about you.” I will always worry about those I love.

“Just think about it. Please.” Her eyes water and my chest cracks wide open.

“Okay.” I nod, trying hard to bring about my smile. “I’ll think about it.”

My drive to the airport’s a blur, and it’s not until someone taps me on the shoulder that I snap out of my daze for long enough to notice I completely missed the private lounge. I’m not even at the correct gate for my flight. I swivel to face the person trying to get my attention, a smile ready to go.

“Sorry to bother you.” The young woman blushes as a little boy tugs at her sweater. “My son’s a huge fan and wanted to say hello.”

I glance down to look at her son, his big blue eyes reminding me of Ava’s, and my stomach twists more than it already had. “Hi, there.” I lower to his level. “Are you a Storm or Cougars fan?” I ask, since I’ve made the mistake of thinking only Storm supporters like me these days.

“Storm. My dad goes to every game.”

“He does, huh? Have you been to a game?”

The little boy shakes his head while his mother stiffens behind him. “We, ahh… We’re not⁠—”

I wave her off. “You don’t have to explain. Are you from San Francisco?” I ask, directing my question to both mother and son. The little boy nods and his mother confirms it. “How would you and your mom like to come to a game as my guests?”

“Oh, no. God. I didn’t mean⁠—”

“Please.” I stand and smile. “It would be my pleasure to have you there. We love to welcome fans to the stadium.”

“I couldn’t⁠—”

“Please.” I pause, suddenly panicking that there might be other reasons she doesn’t want to go. And Lily’s broken understanding shadows my mind. It feels like I know her and yet, I really don’t. No more than I know the stranger in front of me. Not on a deep level anyway. “My apologies, if you don’t⁠—”

“We’d love to.” The woman rushes to cut in and my shoulders sink. I have no idea why I’m even offering them tickets, but for some reason, her saying yes puts my mind at ease.

Instead of getting her details and turning this into something it’s not, I give her Hunter’s card and ask her to message him in the next couple of days. Then I shoot him a text as I’m walking away. The little boy calls out thank you just as I catch a photographer ducking behind a pole.

My heart jolts as I wave goodbye and stalk away, beelining for the airport private lounge as tomorrow’s headlines sweep through my mind.

Beckett Myers with mystery woman and kid at New Orleans International Airport.