The Main Event Read Online Free Page B

“My mum’s been sick. She told me that the doc doesn’t think she’s going to get better.”
      “I had no idea. Denver, I’m so sorry.”
      “I don’t like talking about it, so it never came up when we were together.”
      No, we’d been too busy having sex so I could keep my mind – and heart – off of Mesquite. I was saved from replying as we pulled up to an old brick building. The parking lot was fairly empty and we made our way through the snow covering the ground.
      “Damn, I wish I’d dried my hair,” I said, shivering as my damp ponytail hit my neck.
      Denver laughed and held the door open for me. Inside, I was pleased to see there weren’t any fans. The conversation we were about to have was going to be emotional and private – something I didn’t want anyone to witness. We ordered our hot drinks and then sat at a small table by the window.
      “Jamie, I know you’ve picked Mesquite, but I have to know if you’re sure? Is this really what you want?”
      Wow, right to the big one.
      I warmed my hand on my coffee mug and replied, “Yes. Denver, you helped me through one of the hardest times in my life, and you’ll-”
      He held up a hand. “Please don’t say I’ll always be your friend. I don’t know if I can do that, Jamie. I love you. And not like a friend.”
      “I don’t know what you want me to say, then. I can’t tell you what you want to hear. And you were the one who said I needed to figure out my feelings for Mesquite before our relationship would have a chance of working.”
      The bell over the door chimed as someone entered, but I paid the person no attention.
      “I am sorry that I’ve hurt you, but I’m not going to sugarcoat things. We both know that doesn’t help anyone in the end.”
      He watched me before saying, “And now I’ll have to see the two of you together. Maybe this tour isn’t a bad thing after all. And who knows how things will be when I get back?”
      He had a point. There was no way to know if things would work out with Mesquite. But I knew one thing – I loved Mesquite.
      “You’re right. No one knows what will happen and maybe we’ll find ourselves thrown together in the future. But right now, in this moment, Mesquite is who I choose.”
      I hoped he took my words as I meant them. I wasn’t trying to be cruel.
      He finally said, “That’s the best I can hope for then. Thank you for being honest with me.” He glanced at the watch on his wrist and said, “We’d better get back to the hotel. I still need to pack before I check out.”
      “I do still want to be friends, Denver.”
      His lips lifted into a half smile. “Sadly that’s not an option, my sweet Jamie.” He stood. “We should go. The sky is starting to darken and it gives me a funny feeling.”
      I hated that I felt like crying. He truly didn’t want to be my friend. He had every right to feel the way he did – and yet I was the one acting like the victim. Losing him completely had never crossed my mind.
      We made our way outside and discovered the snow was covered in a light glaze of ice. Denver cursed under his breath, as he opened my door for me.
      “Can you drive on it?” I asked when he was inside the car.
      I was unsure if he could maneuver the car through the icy mess.
      “I’ve got this.”
      He pulled onto the main road and we were thankfully the only ones out.
      “Are you going to ignore me from now on?”
      He glanced at me. “I didn’t realize I was. Plus, I’m trying to be a safe driver here.”
      I opened my mouth to reply when he cried out. I turned my head to see what had caused him to startle and my head slammed against the window. Pain spread throughout my entire face and I tasted blood. We spun on the ice-covered road and I stupidly wondered how we were going to stop.
      Denver was saying something, but I couldn’t focus on his words. My damn head hurt so much. I reached up to touch my temple when