Page 51 of Hot Shot
“I am having a rough week,” I confess.
“Want to talk about it?”
“I met a guy,” I mumble, staring down at my salad.
“That’s great. What’s he like?” His smile drops and his eyebrows draw together when he notices my expression. “Something happen? I have a team full of guys who would do anything I ask. Need me to put the fear of God in someone?”
I sputter a laugh, shaking my head. “I don’t know if us being together is a good thing. His career is demanding. I don’t want to be the cause of him not doing well at it. He works hard and I’m afraid I’ll be a distraction.”
It’s not the entire story, but I can’t exactly blurt out that Hunter plays for the Storm.
“Has he said this to you?”
“No.” I shake my head, picking up my glass and drinking the rest of my wine.
“You should let him make that decision. That choice. Don’t take that away from him. If you really like him and want to see where things go, then tell him and let him decide. I’m sure he knows what he would or wouldn’t have to sacrifice in his career to also be with you. Don’t make the decision for him.”
I bite my lip, staring down at my plate as I contemplate what he said.
Deep down I know he’s right. I should give Hunter the choice to decide whether I’ll be a distraction or not.
There’s still the fact that Jake is his head coach. I’m not sure how well that’s going to go over.
“You’re right,” I agree, picking up my fork and taking a bite of my salad. I should talk to Hunter. Tell him where my head really is at. He deserves to know that at least. That is, if he still wants to talk to me.
The conversation shifts and we finish our dinner. After Jake pays the bill, he insists on walking me to my car.
“It was good to see you, Madison. I hope we can get together again soon,” he says, shifting back and forth on his feet.
“It was good to see you too, Jake.” I put out my arms for a hug and hope he hugs me back.
He pauses for a moment, and I wonder if he’s not going to, but then he steps forward. It’s awkward but after all these years, it’s nice to get a hug from my father, something I thought would never happen.
He pats me on the back before stepping away. “I hope you’ll watch our games. Cheer on your dad and his boys.”
“Of course.”
“Bye, Madison,” he says.
I get in my car and start the engine. Thankfully it hums to life. Buckling my seat belt, I lean back and close my eyes for a moment. I know what I need to do. I need to talk to Hunter when they get back from this road trip.
I send up a silent prayer that I didn’t blow my chances with him before putting the car in reverse and heading back to my apartment.
Chapter twenty-one
Hunter
“Hey,Cap.Yougota minute?” I ask Caleb as we’re walking toward the plane to Nashville, the first stop on this week-long road trip. I’d rather not have this conversation at all, but since we’re playing the Nashville Fury tomorrow, I need to give him a heads-up. And I’d rather talk before we get on the plane so we can have some privacy.
“Yeah.” He steps out of the way so the guys behind us can board. “What’s up?”
Wes raises his eyebrows at me as he walks up to us. I shake my head at him. He pauses and I hold my breath, hoping he isn’t going to say anything, but he finally shrugs and heads up the stairs.
I’m sure I’ll have to answer twenty questions about what I talked to Caleb about once I get on the plane, but I can’t focus on that right now.
“I need to give you a heads-up about something before our game tomorrow.” I fiddle with the strap of my duffel bag hanging over my shoulder.
“Okay.” Caleb sets his bag on the tarmac and turns to face me.
