Page 62 of Tripped Up

“Elsy,” he barks. The authority in his voice makes my pulse throb. “I’m not interested in playing games. If you have something to ask me, do it.”

I swallow and take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. “Who is it you want to date?”

“You. Elsy, it’s always been you.” His eyes pin mine. “What do you think about that?”

“I think… you could have told me.”

“Told you what?”

“That you remembered.” My voice breaks. “Our night together.”

He chuckles. “Els, if you think I’ve forgotten one second of that night in the last thirteen years…”

“But… the last few years… you let me hate you.”

“I hated myself.” The words come out so softly, I lean closer to the phone to try to hear him better. “I hate that I hurt you.”

“So why did you do it? Why’d you say it?” I can’t hide the hurt in my voice—or the tears in my eyes.

Damn it. It’s been over a decade. I thought I’d come to terms with it.

“Because I was an insecure kid who thought it would get me in cool with the guys,” Wyatt admits. “I was a fucking idiot. You should have walked right up to me and slapped me across the face.”

I huff a breath of laughter, though it’s not funny.

“Your friend did, by the way,” he adds.

“What are you talking about?”

“Mitchell broke my nose.” He’s matter of fact about it, and then his face creases with hurt. “I deserved it, that and ten more. I was such a dick to you. I’m sorry, Elsy. I’m so fucking sorry.”

“I wish you weren’t on a road trip.” I need to see him face-to-face.

“We get home tomorrow midday. Can I come see you?”

Poring over his face, I don’t see any ulterior motives, only earnestness.

“I have lessons until four.”

“No performance?”

I shake my head. “Not tomorrow.”

“Can I take you out?” Wyatt asks. “Just us, no interfering teammates?”

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“That depends,” he says, a hint of a smile on his face.

“Oh?”

“Would you say yes?”

Considering, I bite my lip. “Yeah. I think so.”

“Then yes, Elsy,” Wyatt says, warmth in his voice. “I’m asking.”

twenty-two