Love on the Sidelines: A Small Town Sports Romcom

23. Charlie

“Are you all right, boss?” Paul asks, giving me a slap on the back.

Am I a coward for running back to work after Ava stopped talking to me? Probably, but I don’t really know what to do about it. There’s a lot going on in my career, but all I want to do is to be with Ava.

That’s definitely a first.

“I’ll be fine. Lead the meeting. I’m just sitting in to listen.”

Paul’s surprised expression makes me second-guess even coming in today. I’d told him he had control over several things and here I am, looking like I’m back to micromanaging. What I’m trying to do is get my mind away from thoughts of Ava.

The image of her expression when she overheard me talking about the team will probably be burned into my brain forever. The shock and hurt, the slump of her shoulders as she turned and walked away.

I stand in the doorway, ready to walk into the conference room, and something about it is stifling. I loosen my tie an inch, but that doesn’t help air get to my lungs. Instead of finding a seat, I turn on my heel and head toward my office, needing some time alone.

I’m going to ruin the dream my dad and I had together all because of some woman who’s mad I have money. Well, I kept things from her when she asked me directly. She has a right to be angry.

My phone rings and Emily’s name comes up on the screen. “Hey Emms,” I say, trying to muster a cheerful tone.

“Charlie, where’d you go?” The sound of her voice transports me back to when she was two or three. She’d lost her favorite animal, and I was struggling to find it. It was like there was so much trust there and I’d broken it by not finding it. Now it was the fact I’d abandoned her with almost strangers.

“I’m sorry, Emily. I had to come back to Salt Lake for some big meetings.” A quick glance around the room shows me that’s not really true.

“What did you do to Ava?” she asks after a long pause.

“I’m not sure exactly. She’s not happy I’m helping with the new hockey team.”

Emily groans and says, “That’s not true. You better fix it.”

I chuckle, surprised at the seriousness of her tone. “I thought you didn’t want me to be anywhere near her.”

“Yeah, well, that was before I saw heartbroken Ava.”

My smile fades and I say, “What do you mean? Is she yelling at the team?”

“No, but the only time she smiles is when we’re playing. After that, she mopes around.”

Blowing out a breath, I say, “I don’t know if I’m the reason she’s like that, Ems. She’s been through a lot, just like you. The chances of earning her trust now are non-existent.”

“What about not giving up? How much did you fight for this NHL team to get started? I know you worked hard for it because you wanted to honor Grandpa. Why can’t you do the same thing with your relationship?”

I don’t want to tell her that there hasn’t been a relationship, nothing beyond hand holding.

“You’re right. I need to fight for what I want. I guess I’m just nervous.”

“About what?” Her tone tells me she’s in full teen mode right now.

“That she’ll reject me. Again.”

Emily clears her throat and says, “Did you actually say, ‘Ava, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?’”

Her imitation of me makes me laugh and I say, “Well, no.”

“Maybe start there. Then you can see where things go.”

“I probably should’ve come to you for relationship advice a long time ago,” I say with a laugh.

“I just call it like I see it. And you both like each other.”

“When do you fly back home?” I ask, my brain already turning with ideas. This is the most hopeful I’ve felt in a while.

“Um,” Emily says, probably trying to figure that out. I could look it up, but I’m interested to see what she says. “Looks like it”s late tonight. What are you thinking?”

I rub my palm over my chin, trying to put together options of what to do to show Ava that I’m a viable candidate as a significant other. That I won’t just abandon her, despite me fleeing to safety back in Salt Lake.

“I’m not sure yet, but I’ll come up with something.”

We end the phone call. I search my brain for options. How do I show someone that even though I’m busy, that I won’t be abandoning her for the latest and greatest business opportunity? That being with her is more important than all that?