Page 67 of Buzzer Beater

Lucy

I laid back on the lounger and stared up at the white ceiling. I wanted to give in and say yes to everything he was asking. I wanted us to be together and have a future just as much as he did. I hated having to be the realistic one, though. It was incredibly tough to be the one to stay strong and say no. I had to. Going down this path would only lead to hurt. I didn’t want that for either of us. I didn’t want to dilute this week with the pain that was to come.

He had to see that. He had to know we wouldn’t last, so why was he pushing?

After a few more minutes of ignoring the world, I left the cabana and went back to my room. Elena was lying on the bed reading a book when I walked in.

“What are you doing in here?” I asked. “Shouldn't you be out soaking in every last ray of sun while we still have time?”

She lay the book down next to her on the bed. “I was waiting to see if you’d come back.”

I put my bag on the table and sat at the foot of her bed. “Why?”

“Was Amber mad at you?”

I shook my head. “No, she’s just panicking over Ryan. She thinks he’s cheating on her.”

Elena rolled her eyes. “I’ve never seen a man so in love before. There’s no way he is.”

“I know. That’s what I told her. Hopefully she feels better now. I’m sure once she’s home she’ll get over it.”

Elena nodded then looked up. “So, did Colin find you?”

I tilted my head. “How’d you know?”

“He stopped by this morning looking for you.”

I tried to not smile, but it was kind of nice to know he cared. That he wanted me.

“So, what did he say?”

I looked out the window at the ocean. “He wants me to stay.”

“And? Are you going to?”

I looked back at her. “I don’t think so.”

She threw her legs over the side of the bed, leaning toward me. “Why not?”

“Elena, we’re never going to work. Why drag it out?”

She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Won’t you spend the rest of your life wondering what may have happened? Won’t it drive you crazy?”

I shrugged. “Probably.”

“Then why do it? Why not just see what could happen? It’s just two more days.”

“What if we have a great time? What if I open up to him and we get closer? What if—”

“What if you let yourself fall back in love?” she interrupted.

I nodded.

“I think that chance is worth finding out if there’s something there for you guys to build on. It’s obvious you guys are attracted to each other. We all know there are feelings there. The thing you guys need to figure out is whether or not there’s enough there to fight for.”

That meant admitting everything.

I couldn’t go through with anything without telling him. I closed my eyes and sighed. This was why I wanted to leave. I didn’t want to do this. I couldn’t tell him.