Quarterback Keeper (Fall Lake Ballers #1)

Chapter Thirty

CHAPTER THIRTY

AURORA

I sat cross-legged on the deck, the afternoon sun warming my shoulders on the unseasonably balmy day. The boat’s gentle rocking soothed me in a way I’d never thought possible. It was home. I hated that I would have to leave soon. But it was about time to get on the road. For the moment, I enjoyed the relative peace while I worked on altering a recipe for the café on campus, where I’d found a part-time job.

It wasn’t too difficult, since I loved to cook and the owner had given me some creative liberties with the menu. I wanted to be close to Kylian, even if I could no longer be with him.

I’d stayed on at the café in the hopes that I would run into him and maybe we could talk. I’d heard from his mom that he was back in school. And since I’d committed to the job, it felt right to see it through until the end of October—that was what I told myself. Then, I would figure out my next step. I missed him like crazy. I’d never thought that our business agreement would result in me wishing it was real. An ache throbbed in my chest at the thought because it had sure felt real. Or it had until his dad had made me put an end to it.

I’d spoken to Evalyn several times. She hadn’t held it against me that I’d broken up with her son. According to her, I was suffering from misplaced guilt and the two of us would figure things out and get back together. She’d even asked if Kylian’s dad had had a hand in it, which had terrified me. I hated lying to her, but if he found out I told her… I didn’t even want to think about it.

I’d been in limbo since the cops hadn’t found Dayton’s body. However, they did find DNA from— gross —a severed finger. Both a blessing and a curse. I assumed he was dead, and so did the cops, but we all would feel better if more of his body were located. The part of me that wanted him to pay for everything he’d done to me and Kylian wished the body of water housed a giant crocodile. I would feel so much better about that. Waiting to find out if he was dead or alive was killing me.

If he was still alive, I was in serious danger. Especially since I hadn’t left the boat. I wanted to stay there, despite the slight risk. It was where I felt close to Kylian, and I wasn’t ready to give that up. Even if it meant Dayton would know precisely where to find me when he was ready— if he’s alive. I chose to believe he’d died because, if he were alive, he would have come for me already.

“Knock, knock.”

I followed the voice and smiled at Kylian’s mom. “Evalyn, how are you? How’s Kylian?”

She held a brown grocery bag in her arms, and I jumped up to help her get onto the boat.

“I’m fantastic, and Kylian is a machine. The only spare time he has between physical therapy, watching film, and class is to catch a few hours of sleep. I’d forgotten what a whirlwind he is when his mind is set to accomplish a goal.”

“I’m sure he got that from somewhere.”

“Flatterer.” Evalyn laughed. “But yes, he gets some of that from me. Stubbornness too.”

“Hmm.” I didn’t know what to say to that.

“I’m here to drop off some groceries and, ah, pick up some clothes for him.”

Neither of us believed the fib about the clothes, but I didn’t care. It was so good to see her. And I salivated to hear any tidbit about him because I couldn’t get him out of my mind, no matter how hard I tried. “Thank you, and sure, grab whatever you need.”

She paused, her gaze lingering on my face. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Promise.” I flashed a too-bright smile.

She wasn’t buying it. “He’s been staying with me, but it’s probably time for him to return to the condo. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sent me on a fool’s errand, and he’s already back there.”

“Sure.” Is he really still at his mom’s? She’d hesitated over that part. I didn’t believe her excuse for a moment, especially when it was accompanied by her wink. He had clothes at the condo and probably his mom’s apartment too. Why is she really here? “So, his dad isn’t causing any more problems about the condo?”

“No. Not that I’m aware of. I think his lawyer stepped in and straightened out his right to be there.” She paused, her eyes sad. “Kylian asks about you often.”

“Oh, ahh… that’s so thoughtful, but you can tell him I’ll be out of his hair and won’t be here much longer.” It was the truth. And I wouldn’t let myself cling to the hope that he still cared. Not after how I left things with him. Though I wanted to stay on the boat, I had no right to remain. I’d tried to leave before, but I couldn’t make myself go.

I could get a room in a basement apartment near the college. I didn’t like the additional expense that would come with that, but it made sense. “The last thing I want is for something worse to happen to him because of me.” Dayton could still be out there. It wasn’t likely, but maybe. “I’ve already ruined his career.”

I took the groceries from her and set them by my feet. She sat next to me, a wistful grin curving her lips. She had more color than I’d ever seen on her face. It was promising. I wondered if something had changed. Mr. Wilder had said she was seeing positive results, but his word meant little.

“You did not ruin his career. It wasn’t you who hurt him. And the doctors said that Kylian is making excellent progress. He has every reason to hope he’ll throw a ball again. He just needs physical therapy and a little more time to heal, and he’ll be back to where he was in no time.”

“That’s great news.” I smiled, but I knew it was weak. It didn’t change the fact that I’d brought danger to the table by accepting the fake relationship we had. On that, his dad was right. It would have been better for Kylian and everyone if I’d never climbed onto his boat. And he would be better off if I disappeared from his life.

“I know about the contract between you and my son.”

“Oh.” My face heated. “It doesn’t matter. Without both of us wanting to honor it…” I shrugged.

I wouldn’t make him stick to that, and verbally, I’d already released him from it. Besides, it wasn’t legal. I hadn’t signed the contract with my real name.

“Honey, you might be surprised by what Kylian wants to stand by, and you’ll never know if you don’t give him a chance to explain.”

With that, she patted my arm, got to her feet, and hopped onto the pier. Her words stuck with me even after she was long gone. Did Kylian tell her he wanted to talk to me? I knew how busy his schedule had been before he got hurt, and it had to be even worse with all the PT and makeup schoolwork he had. Plus, he would still be going to practice and doing some stuff, wouldn’t he? I imagined so, since it was such a huge part of his life.

I busied myself, putting the groceries away and straightening up. The day after the incident, I’d cleaned the blood off the floor and cabinets and even made some minor repairs. The place looked as if nothing horrible had happened.

Even with finding things to occupy my time after Evalyn left, I couldn’t get what she’d said out of my mind, and I ticked through the list of reasons why I shouldn’t see him.

It would be a risk. But his bills had to have been paid by his dad for most of his recovery, right? And his mom was doing amazing. Could his dad still hurt them if I talked to him? If Kylian’s career did end before it even began, that would be my fault. Well, technically, it would be Dayton’s, but I couldn’t avoid some of that blame. Still, the need to speak with Kylian was suddenly overwhelming. Screw it. All those reasons should stop me from risking it, but they didn’t.

I missed his smile, his strength, the way he took care of those who mattered to him, and all the times we’d talked. He could bring me to my knees with just a look or touch. With that reckless decision made, I hurried to shower and change into a sundress. I didn’t have a car, so I called for a ride to his condo.

The entire time, I berated myself for such a rash decision. I would have no one to blame if he refused to see me and I had to spend an equally large sum to pay for a ride back to the boat.

My stomach was a bundle of nerves, and my palms were sweating as I thanked the driver and hopped out of the car in front of Kylian’s building. When I pivoted to go toward the doorman, a flash of blond hair caught my eye. I jerked to a stop as Melanie Honeycutt—a.k.a. Science-Nerd Barbie—walked into his building.

I half turned, not wanting her or the doorman to see me or how much her being there hurt. Because I knew what that meant —he’d chosen her. I wasn’t enough for him to fight for. What I’d done—who I’d brought into his life—was enough to sever any feelings he might have had toward me. It was all my fault. Sort of. Maybe.

A rush of pain shot through me, so much that my knees threatened to buckle. I almost turned and fled. But I couldn’t. I loved him enough to fight for him. Enough to tell him about his father blackmailing me to see if, together, we could find a way around it. I straightened my spine. We had something unique, and I had to try to make things right one last time.

Decision made, I hurried toward his building just as the fine hairs on my arms and along the back of my neck rose. Dread pooled as I got the eerie sensation that someone was watching me. Worrying it was the press, I scanned the area. My gaze hitched on the tall blond man across the street, just out of sight of the doorman, looking directly at me. My stomach churned, and I had to swallow several times to avoid throwing up from the combination of fear and the need to run. I had my answer—Dayton was alive. And he’d come for me. But instead of running, I changed course and walked toward him.