Rhett

I've been sitting in my office for two hours. Practice will start soon and I'll have to go out there and put on a brave face for the boys. Truthfully, I'm exhausted. I haven't been able to sleep. I've barely been able to eat or even think about anything, anything other than my current situation. Current situation being that I'm so gone for a woman who won't talk to me.

It's been five days since Colt was hurt while rafting. It's been six since Winnie and I shared the best night of my life. It's been four agonizing days since I've seen her besides a glimpse here and there of her running in and out of her house. She told me she's just busy taking care of her brother and things at the bakery. I know better. I know she's pulling away from me. I also don't know how to stop it.

Colt is home now and resting. We've spoken briefly, but not about what I was about to confess to him out on the water or what he saw at the hospital. I'm not sure if he remembers everything clearly, but I know he remembers me holding Winnie in the ER. In the few conversations I've had with him he hasn't mentioned her or that he saw me kissing her. I need to talk to him and explain. This isn't like any of my other relationships. I'm in love with her and want to be with her desperately.

"Hey, Coach!" Dusty says as he pops his helmet covered head into my office.

"Hey, Dusty. Ready for practice?"

"Oh, yeah. Just gotta get my skates on. I forgot though, Principal Gordon wanted me to ask you if you would be willing to do that interview you spoke about last week for the town paper. I guess there's a reporter that's been asking." I've done plenty of interviews over the course of my career and been reported on more times than I care for. Usually some sleazeball wants to make me look bad. I assume that's not the case here since it's just the local paper.

"Thanks for letting me know, kid. I'll let Principal Gordon know I'm in."

"Sweet. See ya out there, Coach!" He takes off for the locker room and I'm left with my thoughts again. I'm not sure how to prove to Winnie that I'm here for good. I'm not going anywhere this time. I think it's time I brought in some reinforcements. I'm willing to go to great lengths to get us back on track.

After practice I go by the hospital. I spot Marigold easy enough and make my way over.

"Hey Marigold." She turns and seems a little shocked to see me.

"Rhett. What are you doing here? Everything okay?" She asks.

"Everthing's fine. Well not everything, but I'm hoping you can help me with that part."

"Listen. If this is about Winnie…"

"It is. I'm in love with her and I don't know how to make her see that the only way I'll leave her alone is if she doesn't feel the same way." She smiles at me.

"Winnie is my bestfriend. She's also the most special woman I've ever met."

"We can agree on that," I cut in.

"She's fierce and kind and when she decides someone is worth it, she loves with everything she is."

"So she may not think I'm worth it." It's not exactly a question or something I've meant to say out loud.

"I didn't say that," she interjects. "You've seen she struggles with anxiety—and she's had a pretty big week this last week. She loves her brother and I think it took her back to a place mentally where she was losing her parents all over again. I think it made her think about how allowing herself to love you fully leaves her vulnerable to the pain it would cause to lose you."

"But she's not going to lose me." She shrugs.

"You need to talk to her about that part. You guys haven't told anyone what's been going on with your relationship yet. I don't think she would ever admit it, but I think that makes her feel insecure. Like maybe you aren't telling everyone, because it will make it easier to leave again—or leave her."

"I couldn't leave her. I wouldn't. There is nothing this world could offer me that could persuade me to be without her." She purses her lips and nods.

"I think that is where you should start, Rhett. Show her you're in it for the long haul. I love Winnie, but she can be so stubborn when she's scared. Don't give up on her." I shake my head.

"Not a chance. I won't let her push me away again."

"Good. Now I need to get back to work so—bye. Also, you should go see Colt. He's having a hard time with staying down."

"Right. I will. Bye, Marigold and thank you." She tilts her head and strides down the hallway. I guess it's time for me to have a long overdue conversation with my best friend, but first I send another text to Winnie. I miss you, honeybee.

The drive out to Colt's cabin is short, too short. It's not giving me enough time to rehearse what I want to say. I guess I'll be shooting from the hip on this one. I'm pulling into the drive when I see him outside, rinsing off his raft. He's never been able to sit still.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?" I ask.

"Not really my thing," he calls back and I grin, because that is the truth.

"How's the head?"

"Perfectly, fine." He looks at me then, really looks at me. "I have zero memory loss." Okay so, we are going to be jumping right into this.

"Ah, alright then. Let's hear it." We might as well get this all over with so I can talk him out of throwing a punch at me and straight into being okay with me and Winnie.

"What's going on with you and Win?" Well this is easy enough to answer.

"I'm in love with her." His brows shoot up and he blinks at me.

"You're in love with her." He repeats what I've just said looking at the ground and nodding his head. I stay quiet and let him digest this info. "How long has this been going on?" This one isn't so easy to answer, but I think it's better to stick with honesty.

"This time? Since I got back to town, eight years since the first time I acted on it and in total since I was seventeen." I brace myself. This could get ugly. To my surprise I hear a startled laugh.

"So you're telling me you've been in love with my uncoordinated, nerdy little sister for that long and I didn't know?" He's laughing as he asks, but I don't trust that it'll stick.

"Yes," I say, waiting for him to get pissed. His laughter slows, but he still has a smile on his face.

"Am I that unobservant?" he asks.

"I never acted on it until the summer before I went pro. I never even so much as held her hand." I tell him in a rush. I'm not looking for forgiveness. I wouldn't ask for that seeing as I don't feel bad at all about the way I feel about Winnie. I do want to explain to him though that I never meant to lie to him. "She cut things off after that and nothing has happened between us until I moved back to town." He nods, processing.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?"

"I wanted to eight years ago, but she told me she wasn't looking for something long term so she didn't want you to know, when I pressed her about it she broke things off and then pretty soon after that she broke off most of our communication."

"You know I thought there might be something between you a few years ago. She came back from a trip for school the same weekend you had a game in the city and was devastated. I couldn't get her to talk about it."

"A misunderstanding. Lacey was involved." I cringe remembering the texts on Winnie's phone.

"Uhg. Lacey. She was the worst."

"She was. More than I even knew. I'm wishing I would have listened to you about her sooner," I admit.

"So, you and Winnie? Are you together then?" I feel my heart sink, because I don't know where we stand at the moment.

"Well we were. I was planning on telling you about us the day of the accident, but Winnie has barely spoken to me since. I'm worried I might lose her."

"What did you do?" It's not exactly accusing, but his tone definitely says he thinks I've wronged his sister.

"Honestly, Colt, I didn't do anything. I think she's gotten in her own head and she won't let me in. She had a really hard time when you got hurt." He flinches at that.

"I didn't mean to worry her."

"I'm not saying anything is your fault. I just don't think she let's everyone see how hard it is for her. She takes care of everyone else and shoulders her own burdens all alone."

"She's never said anything." I love Colt, but sometimes he can be really selfish.

"She shouldn't have to." His eyes flick back to mine and seem to harden.

"She's my sister, Rhett. I would do anything she asked me to."

"I know you're a good brother and since you are you would know that she would never ask. She hates being a burden. She would rather suffer alone than to have someone know she was struggling." He just stares at me. I once again get ready to defend myself without hurting him.

"You're right," he says begrudgingly, surprising me. "I should have known she was struggling." He swallows and then continues. "You really love her? You'll treat her the way she deserves?" This is the easiest question I've answered so far.

"I love her more than I could ever put into words, but I'll still find a way to tell her how much she means to me everyday if she'll let me."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"You may not have been looking for my permission, but since we've been kids we're all each other has had. It falls to me to look out for her. You're a good man, Rhett. My best friend and I love you like a brother, but if you ever do anything to harm her in any way, I will put you on your ass and make it hard for you to ever get back up." This was expected and I accept his threat with as much swallowed pride as I can. I nod my head.

"I won't, but if I ever do I'll be coming to you to straighten me out anyway."

"Sounds about right. Now, how are you gonna get her back?" I smile.

"I have half a plan—half a plan and a lot of determination." He laughs at that.

"That's all we've ever needed. I wish you luck. She's so damn stubborn."

"When it comes to Winnie I'm up for the challenge. Always."