Page 207 of Tangled with the Tight End

She goes on to tell me about the slurs and whispers and people taking out their phones to take pictures of Winona.

I’ve never actually understood it when people said their blood boiled. I get it now. I want to tear down the stadium with my bare hands, crack phones in half, break the internet … I also want to run to Winona and cradle her, scoop her up in my arms, shield her, drive to the tarmac and fly her somewhere safe—away from the constant intrusion and harassment.

“I don’t know what to do, Declan. I’ve never been through anything like this. She hasn’t either. Everyone always loves her. Now, total strangers hate her.”

“It’s my fault,” I say.

“No.”

“It is. If I weren’t in her life, she’d be free of the spotlight—free of this mess.”

“Declan …” Cass doesn’t fight me. She knows I’m right.

“I’d come over, but I don’t know if she wants to see me right now,” I say.

“She loves you,” Cass says.

“I love her.”

“I know. She knows too.”

“I’d do anything to spare her this pain,” I tell Cass.

“I know you would. I would too.”

Fact is, I’m the only one who can do something. Kate said not to do anything. It will blow over. It doesn’t matter whether this particular storm will end today or in a month.

This is already too much. She’s suffering—because of me. No one should have to endure this kind of hatred from people—especially not Winona.

And I know now.

I can do something about it.

It might kill me. But I can do it.

“If you think it would help to see me tonight, encourage her to call me,” I say. “Otherwise, I think the situation will get better soon.”

“You do?” Cass seems surprised at my prediction.

“I know it will. Just give me a few days and I’m sure things will take a turn.”

The hollowed-out space beneath my ribs spreads into a consuming black cavern.

Life without Winona was my normal for thirty years. But now I’ve had her sunshine and her laughter. I’ve tasted her kisses. I’ve held her close in quiet moments we’ve shared. I’ve pictured a life with her—building a family, growing old together.

Losing her will be the hardest thing I’ve ever lived through. But it will free her from all the hate. Reporters will leave her alone. Her life can go back to normal.

I’ll take the hit for her.

I caused this. I can fix it.

I hang up with Cass and stare at the muted television where four men sit at a desk discussing the results of today’s games. It all seems meaningless. I huff out one short burst of laughter remembering Winona’s take on the sport before she became a fan. Men throwing a ball for a living.

My phone rings again. I reach for it with lightning speed only to see the caller ID and sink back into the couch. Dad. I don’t want to talk to him right now, but putting him off won’t keep him from calling when he wants to talk, so I answer.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Hello, Declan. That was an impressive game.”