Page 82 of Her Game Plan

But all I can hear is that the Stallions, the team I’ve given my all to for the last seven years, don’t want me anymore.

And it’s not just the Stallions, but the woman in charge of them, too.

When Jon finally finishes, I reassure him I’m fine, making sure he knows to contact me as soon as he hears anything concrete, no matter how close it is to the game.

I stare at my phone, replaying every hit I’ve taken this season, every loss. The damning evidence piling high, convincing me it’s only right that the team trade me. Finally, I blow out a long breath and head to my room, that knot of dread getting tighter with each step I take.

Charlotte knows. And she said nothing. And she did nothing to stop it.

And who would blame her? This isn’t about me. It never has been. At least, not with her. If she thinks trading me will get her Langford Enterprises, that’s what matters. Not me, and definitely not Nan, the woman who has been ice cold to her since the day she walked into our lives.

I can’t even fault her for it since she’s been honest about her intentions this whole time.

I’m the one who forgot it was fake. I’m the one who let it become something more to me. I’m the one whose chest feels like a three-hundred-pound lineman just took me out.

After pushing on the handle to the door, I walk slowly into our room, barely catching the smile Charlotte gives me from her spot on the bed. Her eyebrows dip. “Is everything okay?”

I shake my head. “No. Or maybe. Do you know anything about me getting traded?”

Her eyes widen, but not in confusion or surprise. No. That’s panic at getting caught.

“Got it.” I continue toward the bathroom, nothing else to say at this point.

Charlotte follows me in, her red pajamas far too cheerful for the anger and despair I’m feeling.

Before she can speak, I turn around to face her. “How long have you known?” It comes out quiet. Almost sad.

“No trade offers have been made.” Her hands are up, like she’s trying to calm a spooked horse.

I am calm, though. Hurt, but calm. “But they’re on the table, aren’t they?”

“You know I can’t talk about business with you.” She takes a tentative step closer. “I’ve been clear about that.”

I snort a laugh. “Of course not. You can use me as a boy toy for your business, but you can’t even give me the common courtesy of a heads-up that I might be traded? Did you even care what it would do to me to have to leave Nan? To have to leave”—I cut myself off. Leaving Charlotte isn’t an issue I have to be concerned about anymore—“Denver.”

“You don’t understand. Things have ch—” Charlotte starts, but it hurts too much to listen to her defend herself like she didn’t know this would crush me.

“I do understand, Princess.” The nickname is a snarl as it leaves my throat. “You’re doing what you have to do to get your company. It’s what you’ve wanted this entire time. I… I thought things had changed.”

Her eyes widen, and she nods in agreement. “Yes, I was trying to—”

“Look, this isn’t working for me anymore.” I force myself to take a deep breath and then another. After running my hand down my face, I swallow hard.

Her eyes widen. “What?”

“I have a playoff game this weekend. I can’t spend my days wondering whether the woman lying next to me is texting someone about trading me.”

Jaw hardening despite the look of almost pain in her eyes, she whispers, “So what? You want me to leave?”

“Is that what you want?” My heart is torn between knowing it’s for the best and wanting her to tell me I’m wrong. For her to be the only person in my life to ever say it would hurt too much to walk away from me.

She chews on her lower lip. “I don’t… I can’t… I… still need my dad to think we’re together.”

It’s like an iced knife plunged directly into my stomach. I knew it was always about the illusion for her dad. But I thought it had turned into something more. For both of us. I guess I was wrong.

“Fine,” I say quietly. “I won’t tell anyone. But I can’t do this anymore.” I gesture to her in her pajamas, her stuff sitting by the sink. All the little things that, until fifteen minutes ago, made me feel like this was something special. Something long-term.

She nods once, her lower lip quivering slightly. “I’ll go and sleep in my old room. Everything will be out of here before you get home tomorrow.”