Beyond the Game (Out of Reach 2)

“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.