Hello Quarterback (Hello #8)

46. Mia

46

MIA

Ford’s words to me were like a door slammed in my face.

A message received loud and clear.

Our love was a game . A distraction from more important things.

My eyes were stinging as I left the kitchen to open my bag and answer my phone. I could hear Fletcher speaking quietly to Ford, but couldn’t process it with the ache in my heart. Nor with the surprise at seeing Vanover’s name on my screen.

He knew not to contact me unless there was an emergency. Part of me was relieved to have something else to think about other than Ford regretting everything between us.

“Hello?” I said. I got into the room where we stayed, the bed already made, and sat down on its soft surface.

“Mia, have you checked your email?”

“No, I’ve been...” Worried. Scared. Rejected? “Busy,” I finished lamely.

“I’ve been trying to call you, but it went right to voicemail.”

“I must not have had a signal.” I shifted the phone to my other ear. “Vanover, what’s going on?”

“The Andersen Avenue vote was moved to tomorrow morning, first thing. I sent the calendar change two hours ago, but you haven’t replied. You need to start preparing.”

My eyebrows drew together as I paced the small room. Suddenly, it felt more confining than cozy. “I didn’t approve that. We weren’t supposed to meet for another two weeks. ”

“Unfortunately, Thomas cleared it with the board,” Vanover said. “I could reach out to everyone’s assistants to reschedule but?—”

“That would make us look unprepared and hurt their confidence in me as a leader.” I rubbed at my temple with my free hand. “Thank you for letting me know.” Now I needed to figure out how to get back home to prepare. But Ford’s injury...

“Zeke should be arriving at the Madigan Ranch soon to collect you,” Vanover said. “I figured you would need all the time you could get and Ford might want to stay.”

Just the sound of his name broke my heart. “You’re a lifesaver, Vanover,” I finally said. “Thank you.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” he replied. “I’ll be in the office when you get here and have food and drinks ready at your desk.”

“See you soon,” I replied, hanging up my phone. Part of me wanted to stay here with Ford, to help. But he’d sent his message—through silence and through his stern words. I was to take care of my business.

I roughly shoved my phone back in my fanny pack and began returning my things to my suitcase.

I was midway through zipping it up when I heard the doorbell. I went to the window, seeing the sleek black car, dust blurring the black paint. Then, I heard Bryce’s voice. “I didn’t know the doorbell still worked.”

My stomach dropped, knowing what this would look like to Ford, to his family.

Like I was running away.

I left my packed bags on the bed, going out to the living room to see my driver talking with Gray and Bryce.

The men turned to look at me, and I saw disappointment in Gray’s features. Surprise in Bryce’s.

“Mia, can I help with your bags?” Zeke offered.

I nodded. “I’ll bring them out to you.” Turning, I went to get my luggage, feeling the men’s eyes on my back. From the other room, I heard Ford calling, “Who’s here?”

Gray hesitated before answering, “It’s Mia’s driver.”

My heart stuttered as I raced to get my bags and bring them back to the living room. I thanked Zeke, who quietly took them out the front door. But once it closed behind him, I was alone with Gray and Bryce.

“I need to talk with Ford,” I said, brushing by them to the kitchen.

Ford looked hurt, and Fletcher looked like he wished he could fade into the pebbled wallpaper.

Ford was the first to speak. “Did you call the car before or after I got hurt?”

“It’s not...” I began to defend myself. But midsentence, I realized it didn’t really matter. He’d hardly spoken a word to me since he got injured, cast me aside when all I wanted was to help. I lifted my chin. “I have work matters to attend to in Dallas.”

He pressed his lips together, nodding slowly. “I wanted you to leave anyway. Just go.”

I heard Bryce suck in a breath. He and Gray must have followed me around the corner.

And even with Ford’s family watching, I wanted to yell and tell him that he already dismissed me. But there was no use arguing or defending myself. I knew the truth.

So I turned away from Ford and spoke to his dad, fighting to keep my voice from trembling. “Gray, thank you so much for your hospitality. It meant a lot to be welcomed so warmly by you and your family.”

His gaze was troubled as he dipped his head in acknowledgement.

Then I nodded to Fletcher and Bryce, avoiding eye contact with Ford, and turned to leave this family. This home.

I’d felt so comfortable here just hours before. And now?

The way Ford had treated me tore at my chest, at the fragile petals of love blooming between us. I knew he was going through a tragedy, but I also knew my worth. How someone treated you at their lowest said more than how they treated you at their best. And even if it hurt like hell to hold a boundary with my heart, I also knew I deserved better.

I was halfway down the sidewalk to the car when the front door banged open.

Even knowing Ford was hurt, I couldn’t help but hope it was him chasing after me. Instead, I saw Bryce coming down the sidewalk. “Mia, wait up,” he called.

I paused on the sidewalk, disappointment mingling with worry at what he was going to say, what he must think of me.

He cast my driver a nervous look before facing me. Then he lowered his voice and said, “Don’t let Ford hurt your feelings. He’s just upset. He’ll cool down.”

“I know,” I said. What more was there to say?

Bryce patted my arm gently. “He cares about you. He’s just not good at showing it yet.”

My heart was shattering at each of his words, breaking, because Bryce wanted so badly for his brother to be happy, but I knew I needed more from a partner. I lifted a corner of my lips. “If I had a little brother, you’re the one I’d want.”

He smiled slightly. “You make me sound like a little kid.”

I chuckled. “No, you’re a good man,” I told him. “You’ll apply for an internship one day, right?”

“I will.”

I nodded. “I’ll tell them to look out for you.”

“Even then, they won’t see me coming.” He grinned and turned to walk away.

But I said, “Bryce?” I bit my bottom lip nervously.

He turned back to me. “Yeah?”

“Take care of him, okay? I can’t imagine what it would be like if... if he couldn’t...” I couldn’t bring myself finish the sentence.

“I know,” he said quietly.

There was nothing left to say, so I got in the car. My driver pulled away, leaving Madigan Ranch, Cottonwood Falls, and the love of my life in the rearview mirror.