“No need.” She reached out with her free hand, sloshed some whiskey into his glass and raised it. “You were the best, Tyler O’Neil. But you’re also a brilliant coach. You may not be able to compete yourself, but you can help others do it. Starting with Jess. Are you enjoying teaching her or is it hard seeing her do what you used to do?” She took a sip and coughed. “That might be worse than tequila.”
He took the glass from her. “I’m enjoying teaching her, and I get a real buzz from seeing her improve. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t give anything for a chance to win one more crystal globe.”
“Why? All you’d do is push it to the back of the cupboard with the others.”
He finished her drink. “I don’t want to look at it.” He thumped the glass down on the table. “I just want to win it.”
It was a totally Tyler-like response. “Sometimes I don’t understand you.”
“You understand me perfectly. You’re probably the only person who does.” His voice was rough, and his grip on her hand was hard and sure. Then he turned his head, and his gaze collided with hers. “Don’t cry. I hate seeing you cry.”
The breath caught in her throat. “Whenever you hurt, I hurt. Whatever you feel, I feel. It’s horrible, but I can’t help it. I guess I’ve known you too long. It’s as if we’re connected.”
He stared at her for a long moment. “I’ve spilled my guts, so now it’s your turn. Tell me why you went on that date with Josh.”
She stared down at his fingers threaded through hers. If she were going to tell him the truth, now would be the perfect time. “I did it to get my mother off my back. She was worried I wasn’t dating. That I was fixated on someone else.”
“And are you?”
Her heart pumped a little harder. “Maybe.”
“So why not date that person instead of Josh?”
Her mouth dried. “He doesn’t feel the same wa
y.”
There was a long pause. “Are you sure about that?”
He is never going to find you sexy.
Tugging her hand from his, she stood up. “It’s late. I should go to bed.” She took a step toward the door and then stopped.
She was doing it again.
Walking away whenever a conversation became difficult.
He’d been honest with her. He’d laid his feelings bare. Maybe it was time for her to do the same. Maybe this once, she should be honest.
She hesitated, knowing that once she put the words out there, she couldn’t take them back. “We’ve known each other a long time, Ty. We’ve talked about a lot of things over the years, but there’s something I’ve never told you—” she turned, because if she was going to say the words, then she was going to do it while she was looking at him “—I—I have feelings for you.”
His gaze was steady on hers. “What sorts of feelings?”
“Feelings I’ve tried to ignore. Feelings I probably shouldn’t be having. Feelings—” Oh, hell. “I love you. I’ve been in love with you my whole life. I guess—you probably already know that.”
Her confession hovered in the air between them.
For a long moment he said nothing, and then he stirred, and when he spoke his voice was husky. “I wasn’t sure. You never said anything.”
“You never talked about your accident. I guess tonight we talked about stuff neither of us normally talks about.” She backed away, embarrassed. “It’s fine. I know you don’t feel the same way. I’m like one of the guys to you.”
“One of the guys? Is that seriously what you think?” There was incredulity in his tone. “Hell, Bren, are you telling me you don’t know how hard I’ve found it since you moved in?”
Her heart was pounding because there was something in his eyes she’d never seen before.
Something she’d waited her whole life to see.
And this time she wasn’t imagining it.