Parker (Face-Off 1)

I nod again.

“You should talk to him then.”

Surprised, I raise my eyebrows at Jamie. “Since when do you think that dating Alex is a good idea? You can’t stand him.”

“Not true,” he says, defensive. “I might not be his biggest fan, but I don’t have anything against him other than the fact that your relationship with him is the reason you’re hurting so much.” Jamie places his finger under my chin and lifts it so that our eyes meet. “Talk to Mickey. If Alex is causing you this much pain and he feels the same way about you, then maybe Mickey will make an exception.”

“If only that were possible.” I sigh. “You’ve known Mickey for almost as long as I have. Have you ever seen the man make an exception for anyone? My feelings have no room in sports. I’ll get over him. I promise. Time heals all wounds, right?”

Jamie shoves his hands into his pockets, deflated. “I hate seeing you unhappy, Charlie. We had so much misery and pain growing up. Why can’t you allow yourself to be happy?”

“Just because you’ve found a sexy secretary to make out with in the copy room doesn’t mean all business relationships are meant to be. You didn’t see the look Mickey gave me. He trusted me. I took that trust and ripped it to shreds, and if I even think about going near Alex, I’m finished. People in the office have been whispering about me behind my back since the news broke. Things have just started to settle down.”

“You can’t sleep in my spare bedroom for the rest of your life, Charlie. At some point, you will need to go back to the apartment and stop acting like you don’t care. Every night since you’ve been with me, you’ve woken up screaming and crying. How can you pretend like you don’t give a shit about him?”

“They’re nightmares about my parents. You know that,” I lie.

He shakes his head. “No, they’re not—not anymore, at least. You’ve been calling out Alex’s name in your sleep for the last five nights. It scared the shit out of me the first time I heard it because I thought he was in my apartment, hurting you.” Jamie hooks his arm around my back and pulls me tight against his chest, squeezing my side. “I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re full of shit. You’re in love with Alex. Go talk to Mickey and explain that it wasn’t just a hook-up. I’m sure you can find a way to make it work.”

I don’t even bother to deny my feelings for Alex because I miss him more each day. Jamie always sees through me.

“I wish it were that simple. We’ve got a game to play.”

Bringing the whistle around my neck to my lips, I blow on it to gather our team. The boys spin around and come running toward us.

“All right, Gladiators. Let’s get those hands in here,” I say, holding mine in the air.

They layer their tiny hands on top of mine, bringing a smile to my face. This moment, where I am together with my players, brings me pure happiness. I am their coach, and this is my team. Coaching is what I do best. I love this game.

Unlike my apartment, Rosario and Rico’s home is so warm and inviting. Rosario has beautiful Spanish artwork on the walls and sculpted glass and figurines on the tables, and her house smells wonderful. She makes the best mofongo I’ve ever tasted, even better than what I had when I visited Puerto Rico for vacation last year.

My mouth waters from the scent of pork, fried plantains, and olive oil that assaults my senses. Jamie pulls a chair out from the table, and like a proper gentleman, he waits for me to take a seat before pushing it into the table and sitting down beside me.

I rub my hands in front of me and lick my lips. “Rosario, you’ve outdone yourself. Seriously, this looks as amazing as it smells.”

Jamie stands to help Rosario in the kitchen, both Rico and him following Rosario into the dining room with more dishes and plates.

After growing up eating at a table full of kids without enough food to eat, I’m such a cavegirl, and I reach for the bread in the basket in front of me, about to lift it to my mouth, when Rico says, “You’re gonna get in trouble, Coach.”

“Oh, right,” I say, setting the bread onto my plate.

I had nothing to pray for while I was growing up other than a way out of my hell, so I always forget that normal families, especially those who are religious, like to say grace before they eat.

I look behind me as Jamie squeezes my shoulders and lets go.

“Before you get mad at me, just remember that you love me, and I’m your oldest and bestest friend in the entire world.”

“Huh?” I glance at him sideways, confused. “What the hell are you talking about? What did you do?”

And then I hear the doorbell, and Rico scrambles over to the front door. My jaw drops when I see Alex standing on the other side, holding two bouquets of flowers. One of them is a mixed assortment that he hands to Rosario, and the other has red roses. My heart rips from my chest, breaking into a thousand pieces, when I see how bad he looks.

His game has suffered lately, but the camera never zooms in close enough to his face, so I can see for myself. Judging by his sunken-in cheeks, he has lost some weight, which is the exact opposite of what he should be doing right now.

“You invited Alex?” I ask Jamie, touched and holding my hand over my heart.

“I can’t stand to see you like this, Charlie. You try to keep it together because that’s what you do—hold everything inside—but you have not been the same since you two broke up, and I think Alex needs you just as much as you need him.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as I get up from my chair.