Page 39 of Buzzer Beater

I watched in silence as she walked back to the resort leaving me alone at a candlelit table for two.

Somehow, I’d ruined it. How someone can blow an apology is beyond me, but I managed it.

Obviously, the feelings I had about fate bringing us here, about this being our second chance was one-sided. Lucy was the one that got away, and it seemed like she was going to stay that way.

11

Lucy

I was pretty proud of myself for keeping it together through dinner. Well, we didn’t really get around to that. By the time my feet hit the sidewalk the tears were rolling. I didn’t even bother trying to fight it.

That had been too overwhelming. Too much. I didn’t know what was going to happen when I saw Colin standing on the beach with a romantic set up behind him. I didn’t even know what I wanted to happen. Enter a time machine to take us back to when things were good? Yeah maybe that.

Him apologizing for the past was unexpected. I didn’t think he would bring her up either. I was unprepared for that. I didn't want to relive the worst experience of my life on the beach, but he went for it. He brought it up, and all the old feelings resurfaced in an instant.

Could I believe him?

I stumbled on the uneven sidewalk and there were arms out to catch me. I expected to fall, but hands caught me. I blinked through the tears and almost laughed at who I saw staring at me like I’d lost my mind.

“Lucy?” Chloe said. “Oh my gosh! Are you okay?” Madeline accompanied her.

“What’s going on?” Madeline asked.

“It’s been a rough night.” I sniffed and instantly their arms went around me. I was in the middle of a group hug from the wives of my ex’s best friends. Could things get any weirder?

“Let’s go,” Chloe said, and we were walking again.

I didn’t bother asking where we were going. I just followed along, grateful to not have to think for a few seconds.

We arrived at an enormous suite and I was led to a plush couch. I sat and ran my hands over the cool, smooth fabric.

So, this is what a presidential suite was like. I looked up at the large living room and noticed the ocean view. If this was my room, I’d have a hard time leaving it to go outside.

Voices floated around me, the girls directing each other. I leaned back and dropped my head against the couch letting the tears leak out of the corners of my eyes and down my jaw to my neck. As relieved as I was to finally get those things off my chest, it didn’t bring me the closure I expected. Seeing him, thinking about what we had just made me miss it all even more. It was like my heart was breaking all over again at the loss of us.

This whole trip was a mistake.

I might not be especially happy with my life, but it was stable. This week uprooted everything. It was a disaster.

Someone sat next to me and took my hand in theirs, but I didn’t look over. I stared up at the ceiling and wished I could rewind the past three days.

“It’s going to be okay.” I recognized Madeline’s soothing voice and squeezed her hand.

There was a knock at the door and chatter, but I ignored it. If only I could ignore everything that was said tonight.

“Alright Lucy. We have supplies.” Chloe’s determined voice pulled me out of my own thoughts.

I turned my head sideways and looked at the coffee table. Chocolate bars, chocolate covered strawberries, and an enormous chocolate cheesecake was sitting on it. Chloe leaned forward offering me a pink drink.

“It’s a strawberry daiquiri. I didn’t know what you liked, but I figured that would be safe.” She handed me a glass.

I took a sip of the frothy drink and sighed. “It’s delicious.”

She smiled, and I took in the rest of the room. I’d thought it was just Chloe and Madeline, but the other three women were there, watching me.

“You guys didn’t have to do this,” I said. “I really appreciate it, but you should all be out with your husbands.”

Emma waved off the comment. “They’re fine without us.”