Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“You’re delusional if you think I’ll ever skate with you after what you've done.”
“I haven't done anything to you,” he argues.
“You've done everything, Brian. You’ve harassed me with your texts and calls and showing up to my apartment. All of which I’ve documented in case I need it. I have cameras installed around my apartment now, so I have enough proof that you’ve been crossing boundaries for way too long. We are over. We are never getting back together. And I will never skate with you again.”
He furrows his brow, shaking his head like he's at a loss for words. Fear laces into his features, the realization that I've been keeping tabs on everything he's been doing finally settling in to his thick skull.
“I asked you here, not to make amends, but to deliver a message of my own. I would like to move on with my life in a healthy way. And, against my better judgment, I want to give you an opportunity to do the same.”
“You want to move on with that fucking guy—”
“It doesn't matter if I want to move on with the entire Badgers’ starting lineup,” I cut him off. “That's my right. You no longer have a say in what I can and cannot do anymore. I don't know why you ever did in the first place, but that's a conversation for my therapist, not you.”
His lips go tight, but he doesn't respond.
“You will stop texting me. You will stop calling me. You will stop showing up at my place and leaving letters on my windshield. In no way would that ever win me back, and in no way are we ever going to be in each other's lives again. You’ve made sure of that.”
When he does nothing but narrow his gaze, I continue.
“I’m giving you the chance to move on with your life without me in it. Without me even being a thought in your head. Without any consequences. But if you so much as text me again, call, show up, send an e-mail, or a letter in the mail, I will take everything I've documented and file an order of protection against you.”
“That's ridiculous. You don't need protection from me.”
“Then prove it,” I fire at him. “Leave me alone. Move on.”
He shakes his head, and I can see the resistance in his eyes. He hates losing, he always has, even if it's something as ridiculous as a board game. So I continue with what I know will be the nail in his coffin.
“Not only that,” I say. “But you must know that I now have connections beyond your wildest dreams. Not just with the coach of the Bangor Badgers, but the owner. And that owner happens to know a lot of people. He has a ton of great relationships with wealthy executives, including the producer of the reality show you're so desperate to get on.”
His eyes flare wide, and I'm not surprised, but ultimately disappointed that the threat of the police isn’t enough to scare him. A small warmth pulses in my heart for Mr. McClaren, and how easily he’d agreed to my request when I spoke with him the other day about this very thing.
“Exactly,” I say, nodding to his apparent fear. “All it will take from you is one more move against me, one more question, one more plea, one more anything, and I’ll ask Mr. McClaren to make one phone call of his own, and your skating career will be over. You won't even be able to teach, let alone compete. Are you understanding me?”
Brian visibly swallows, then nods. “You've made yourself very clear.”
“Good,” I say. “And I know you're angry. I know you're pissed off and probably trying to think of a way around this, but I assure you, you won't. You should be focusing on the fact that you're lucky that I’ve given you this warning. I could’ve easily called the police, filed the order of protection, and had Mr. McClaren kill your chances at any sort of a career. The only reason I haven't is because I don't need to be as toxic as you. I don't need to wield that power and laugh as it plays out. But test me, and you'll find out.”
Brian nods again. “I understand. You won't hear from me again. I don't even know who the fuck you are anymore, Blakely, but it's not a good look for you.”
A sharp laugh escapes my lips, and I shake my head. I anticipated a barb like that, and it bounces right off the shield I have built for myself since leaving him. “Of course you don't know who I am,” I say, scooting back from the table. “You never met me. It's amazing what someone can become when they're no longer being suffocated.”
I don't bother saying goodbye, having already paid for my untouched iced coffee. I leave him sitting at the table alone and don't look back.