He sighed. “Anna, long-distance relationships suck. I need to know you’ll meet me halfway and, honestly, you have never done that. It’s always been about you and your career, your life, your choices. I just want to know that I have a part in your life, a big part, not an afterthought.”
She grabbed his upper arm and turned him to face her. “Wyatt, of course you’re an important part of my life. But I have to do this. We’ll figure it out. Just because we’re not both big stars in our fields doesn’t mean we can’t do it.”
He was already shaking his head, his eyes bleak and resigned. “No, Anna. I don’t want to keep waiting for something that might never happen. I’ve been waiting five years.” He held up his hand to stop her from speaking. “I know you never asked me to wait, but on some level, I was waiting for you, not getting on with my life. But now, after this week, I’m ready to move on, ready for the next phase of my life. And, honestly, Anna, I don’t think you’re ready for that and may never be ready.”
Her hand dropped. “No, Wyatt. I’m not ready right now. I have to know if I can do this.”
“I thought so.” He stepped back, his hands in his pocket again. “Anna, I understand why you need to do this, and I wish you well. And I hope you find what you’re looking for. But I won’t be waiting for you. Not this time.”
He turned and headed back for the house, his head down. Anna watched him disappear, her vision blurring from the tears that fell down her cheeks silently. She hugged herself as she watched what she feared was the only man she’d ever loved walked out of her life for the second and last time ever.
* * *
The rehearsal dinner was a special kind of hell, with Anna standing just out of reach, both physically and emotionally. Wyatt was sullen and brooding. Not the best groomsman for Matthew, but did anyone really care about the groomsman for a wedding? They were accessories for the bridesmaids, truth be told, and he had to practice it with Anna, then do it for real, and dance with her, all the while pretending she hadn’t just ripped his heart out again and tore it into little shreds.
He had thought that the linebacker had destroyed his life when he blew out his knee. That pain was nothing compared to this blown second chance with Anna. He sipped a beer and brooded in the shadows in the back of the small reception room where Caroline was having the rehearsal dinner. Because it was a destination wedding, so many people were coming out the night before. Caroline thought it was only fair to invite people to the dinner, so there were almost as many people here tonight as there would be tomorrow. At least he didn’t have to be on his game tonight, and he could hide in the corner and lick his wounds for a while. Provided no one wanted to talk UT football, which many of the guys did. But he had no interest in talking football or anything, really.
A body landed heavily in the seat on one side of him, and he glanced over to see Ethan, tie undone and anger tightening his own face. “Please, join me. I’d love to have company right now.”
“Shut up,” Ethan growled. “I don’t need your shit right now.”
Wyatt cocked his head. “Trouble in paradise?”
“Dad and Kira.”
Wyatt grunted. Ethan didn’t have to say anything else. His father and stepmother, Kira, had been after Ethan to marry a woman of their acquaintance and, to further their cause, had forced the issue by bringing her to the wedding. The blonde pixie was oblivious to the tension, unaware that she was a pawn in a game that she’d never actually win.
Wyatt jutted his chin toward the young woman. “She has no clue they’re using her. Can’t blame her.”
Ethan sighed. “I know. She’s a nice kid but causing me a shitload of problems. It’s like kicking a puppy. And Delaney is pissed.” He took a sip of his scotch. “So, who stole your football?”
“Anna is leaving for New York City after the wedding. A Broadway play.” Wyatt took a deep swallow of the beer, praying the alcohol would kick in and numb him to the pain soon.
Ethan spoke cautiously, looking hesitant. “That bitch?”
“She didn’t even consider me or us in her decision. Just accepted it and made her plans. I didn’t factor at all.” Wyatt slammed the bottle down. “It’s not like I don’t want her to be successful. I do. I just want to be part of it.”
“And how do you plan to do that, sport? I mean, you can’t just walk away from UT right now. You have a contract and obligations.”
“Exactly. And New York is a hell of a lot further than California.” Wyatt exploded, his fist slamming the table. Maybe that fifth beer wasn’t a good idea.
Ethan nodded sagely. “Honestly, Wyatt. Was California even reasonable?”
“I found her job options here in Texas—at UT, the Playhouse on Whitby. She could work in indie films. She had options. She didn’t need New York.”
“But she chose it over you, again,” Ethan finished.
The wind went right out of Wyatt and he slumped in his seat. “Yes, she chose her career over me. I don’t know why I expected any different. I should have stayed away.”
Ethan sipped his scotch and said nothing for several long minutes. Finally, he sighed. “Do you really believe that? Do you really regret this week?”
Wyatt considered his words. Did he regret his time with Anna, his second chance? No, he didn’t. Having this chance helped him get over his first hurt and, even though it caused this second heartbreak, he got one thing out of it. He was ready to move on. He would heal this time because it was time.
“No, I needed the closure, I guess. But it sucks.”
“No shit,” Ethan agreed. “Love sucks.”
* * *