“Cameron,” he says. His face drops when he takes in my appearance. “You okay?”
“No.” I take the seat in front of his desk. The same one I was in a few weeks ago when I signed my contract. The same seat where I believed my life was working out. I had everything I ever wanted and some of it in part to the man sitting across from me, and now, he wants to take it all away.
“Tell me what I can do?”
“You can start by tearing up my contract. I don’t care what I have to do. I’ll pay whatever I have to pay to get out of it. It may take me some time to make it happen, but I’ll do it.”
“What?” He seems surprised.
“She told me. Paisley, she told me you were trading me, and I can’t leave her.”
“Where did she hear that?” he asks, sitting forward, resting his elbows on his desk. His gaze is passive, not giving anything away.
“She heard you!” I yell. “She heard you, and she thinks that if she leaves me that you won’t trade me. She doesn’t think we can work long distance, and I can’t fucking breathe without her,” I say, gripping my hair. I look up to find his brow furrowed.
“Look, I know you’re just doing what you need to do. I get it. It’s business, not personal. Either way, I lose her. She doesn’t want a long-distance relationship. Neither do I, but I would do it for her. She also thinks that no other team will want me if we’re still together, so I lose her either way. This is the only solution.”
“I need to make sure I understand you. Paisley heard me saying you were getting traded. She’s afraid of long distance and claims other teams won’t want you either. How am I doing so far?” he asks.
“That’s it.”
“And you’re here to get out of your contract? Your four-year thirty-million-dollar contract you just signed?”
“Yes.”
“Explain that to me.”
“I told you.” I sigh. “I can’t do life without her.” I tap my fist over my chest. “She’s here,” I tell him.
“Cameron, we can’t just rip up your contract.”
“Do whatever you have to do. Just make sure by the end of the day I no longer play for the Blaze.”
“Just like that?”
“I don’t see any other way. And even if you agree not to trade me, she’s going to stand behind this ridiculous ‘we need to break up’ ruse. She thinks she’s saving my career.”
“Isn’t she?”
“Yes, but that’s just it. I’m in a position where I have to choose.”
“You could take the trade and move on.”
“Fuck that. No. This is the only way.”
“I’m going to need to hear you say it, Cameron.”
“I choose her. Every fucking time. I choose Paisley. So, I need out. I don’t care what we have to do to make it happen. I just need it to happen.” I take a deep breath and sit back in my chair, waiting for him to tell me what we need to do to make this happen.
He stares at me for several long minutes. “You’re awful calm for a man who’s here to toss away a major league contract and thirty million dollars.”
“Easiest decision I’ve ever made.”
He tilts his head to the side. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“Yes.” There is no hesitation in my reply.
“I’m going to need some time.”
“No. Were you not listening to me? I don’t have time. I need this done. I need her back in my arms, Drew. I can’t fucking breathe when she’s not. So, no, I don’t have time.”
“It’s not as easy as you think that it is. You’re just going to have to suffer a few more days. I’ll start the process on my end and get back to you.”
“What can I do to help? Call my agent? Attorney? What can I do to make this go away?” I ask, my voice cracking.
“I need twenty-four hours. In the meantime, you don’t say a word of this to anyone. Not your teammates, not Paisley, no one. You understand?”
“Done.”
Drew nods. “Come back in tomorrow. We’ll talk more.”
“Tomorrow,” I repeat, hating I’ll have to spend another night without her. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I’ll take what I can get. I know this kind of thing doesn’t just happen, but we’re going to need to do whatever it takes so that it does. I need her.
Stalking out of his office, I get back on the elevator in a daze. The doors slide open, and in front of me stands Easton Monroe and his youngest daughter, Peyton.
“Hi, Cameron.” Peyton waves.
“Hi, Peyton.” I try to smile for her, but from the look on her face and her dad’s, I fall short.
“Everything all right, son?” Easton asks.
My heart stalls in my chest. “Not really, no.”
“Anything we can do?” he asks.
“Talk some sense into your daughter.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
“What’s going on?”
“She ended things.”
“Why?” Easton truly seems to be surprised by this knowledge.
I have to bite my tongue to keep from lashing out at him. He’s a smart man. He should be able to put two and two together. “Doesn’t matter. I’m taking care of it.”
“What does that mean exactly?” His eyes narrow.
“It means I will do whatever I need to do to keep her in my life.”
“Cameron—”
I hold my hand up to stop him. “It’s done. Look, I need to go. I’ll see you soon.” I reach out and tap Peyton on the nose with my index finger and walk around them. Once I’m in my truck, I pull out my phone and send her another message. Not that I expect to get a reply.
Me: I’m fixing this. The wheels are already in motion. Can we talk? I can tell you about it?
I wait far longer than I should, hoping like hell she replies, but it never comes. Starting my truck, I point it toward home. Maybe this time, when I knock on her door, she’ll let me in.
It’s midnight, and she’s still not home. When I got back from the stadium, her car and Willow’s were both gone. They’re still gone, and I don’t know what to do with that. I don’t know where she is, and according to her, she’s no longer mine to worry about. She’s wrong. Dead wrong. I read over my messages again.
Me: Where are you?
Me: Paisley, it’s getting late. I’m worried.
Me: It’s late. Please, at least let me know you’re all right.
Paisley: I’m fine. I’m with Willow. I’m no longer yours to worry about.
That last message had me gripping my phone so tight I’m surprised the screen didn’t crumble to pieces. She’s mine. She will always be mine.
Me: You will always be mine.
I hit send and toss my phone onto the couch. I move to look out the window again, and the spots where their cars usually sit are still vacant. How am I supposed to sleep, not knowing where she is? I’ve considered calling her parents, but I know that would land me in more hot water, making them worry. She’s with Willow, and I’m smart enough to see this for what it is. She’s avoiding me.