Read Going Hard (Football Romance) Online
Authors: PJ Chase
Going Hard (Football Romance) (5 page)
"No, you can't just walk right back in here and get me back like this. I've moved on. I don't want to look backwards anymore," Maureen insisted.
"But--"
"But nothing. Look, I can't deal with this now. I'm just on my way to work. I have to go," Maureen said.
"Look, I know this must be a really big surprise for you. So just think about it, alright?" Tyler asked.
Just then, Brian pulled up to pick Maureen up for work.
Chapter Fifteen
The ride to work was awkward to say the least. After Brian nearly exploded, Maureen finally managed to calm him down so they could talk like rational human beings.
"I could kill that punk," Brian said.
"Brian, I want you to know that when I think about Tyler, it's always in the past tense," Maureen explained.
"Yeah? Well the past apparently didn't know to stay in the past," Brian said.
"Look Brian, my feelings for you have not changed--"
"I'm glad they haven't. But what I'm worried about is whether your feelings have changed for Tyler," Brian said.
"Brian, imagine how surprised I was to see him. To have an old flame show up at my doorstep just as my heart had fully recovered from breaking," Maureen explained.
"And imagine my surprise realizing I'm not the only one that loves you," Brian said.
"Look, Tyler's feelings aren't the same as my feelings," Maureen insisted.
"Yeah, well your feelings seem to be a little too wishy washy right now. I don't need to know what you necessarily feel. I need to know how you definitely feel," Brian said.
Maureen was too overwhelmed to answer definitively. Confusion had won the day. And she just needed time to gather her thoughts. But Maureen could see that those were not the words Brian wanted to hear. So Maureen tried to bide time.
"I just want you to look at things from my side. To realize what a confusing position I've been put in," Maureen said.
"And I just want you to understand how terrible I feel knowing I could lose not one, but two people I've loved in the same life," Brian pointed out.
"I begging you to just give me time to organize my thoughts," Maureen said.
"Of course," Brian replied. "I love you. So you have your time. I just hope that in the end my love hasn't been wasted."
Gathering Her Thoughts
"Somehow I knew this is exactly where to find you," Tyler said, catching up with Maureen at the park. That's where she always went to think. But Tyler had some thoughts of his own.
"Maybe I didn't want to be found today though," Maureen explained.
"Maureen, this is where you've always gone to think, even when we were little kids," Tyler said.
"Spare me the past. All I care about now is the future," Maureen replied.
"Well, this has turned out much different than I expected," Tyler admitted.
"What did you expect, a hero's welcome? You broke my heart like no one else could," Maureen replied.
"And if I need to beg you for forgiveness, I'll do it. I'll get down on my knees," Tyler said.
"I can forgive you, but that doesn't mean I can forget--or give you my heart again," Maureen replied.
"Why, because you love that Brian guy? That backup?" Tyler asked.
"That Brian guy? You mean the man that has been nothing but nice to me since I met him? That guy?" Maureen said.
"Maureen, you may be having a good time with Brian, but you're meant to be with me," Tyler replied.
"And what makes you say that?" Maureen asked.
"Because I came all the way back here for you. Because I'm willing to give up LA for you. Because nothing matters more to me now than being with you," Tyler explained.
"That's good for you. But that doesn't mean I feel the same way," Maureen said.
"Tell me you don't feel that way about me. Tell me you don't have feelings for me anymore. Tell me you haven't thought about me since I left. Look into my eyes. If you don't feel anything for me, tell me now, and I'll leave you alone," Tyler replied.
Maureen was in no need to be challenged. She craved a life of simplicity. Instead her whole world was being turned upside down. Maureen didn't want to look into Tyler’s eyes. He didn't deserve the satisfaction of dictating Maureen's actions. But she also wasn't sure how her heart would react either.
"I think it’s best that you go," Maureen insisted.
Chapter Fifteen
While Maureen searched her thoughts, Tyler meanwhile opted for confrontation--paying Brian an unexpected visit at the gym.
"Don't start with me man," Brian warned.
But Tyler was taking a different tact. "Do you have any idea how much I love Maureen?"
"I heard you've been saying that quite a lot lately. But my actions speak louder than your words," Brian fired back.
"I came here to tell you to back off. Maureen and I are destined to be together," Tyler said.
"I don't think that's possible, seeing how Maureen and I are the ones destined to end up together."
"Look, just step aside before you get hurt," Tyler said.
"Better watch it, or you're going to get steamrolled," Brian warned.
"I've loved Maureen my entire life," Tyler said.
"Then why did you leave her?" Brian asked.
"Everyone makes mistakes," Tyler explained.
"And this one cost you," Brian said. "Nice try, but you should have stayed in Hollywood."
"I was hoping I could talk some sense into you, but it's clear to me now that it's so on," Tyler replied.
But it was Brian that got in the last word. "It's funny, because I've heard a lot of talk about what you want and what you think is right. But have you stopped to consider what it is that Maureen wants?"
Reflections
While Tyler had a lot to think about, he wasn't alone. Drama had taken hold of Maureen's life. Dinner became a complete wash, monopolized by the tug of war in Maureen's heart. But Maureen's sister Vikki looked to bring some clarity to the situation.
"You know, a lot of women in this town would kill to have two guys fight over her," Vikki explained.
"They can have this love triangle. You know I hated math in school," Maureen replied.
"To me, the decision is easy. Brian has been nothing but good to you since the moment he laid eyes on you," Vikki said.
"I know, but Tyler seems to be a different guy now. Like he's learned from his mistakes," Maureen replied.
"That's true," Vikki admitted. "But I think you're letting your past cloud your future. Could you really imagine your life without Brian in it?"
"No. But a year ago I couldn't have imagined my life without Tyler in it either," Maureen said.
"Well, we both know how much you loved Tyler. So I guess the question is, how much do really love Brian?" Vikki asked.
That was one show stopper of a question. Maureen knew what life was like without Tyler. Did she really want to venture what life would be like without Brian though? I mean, that was a man that had brought such joy into Maureen's life when she needed it the most. That had restored her hope. That made her heart swoon. A man that not only seemed to be Maureen's other half, but her better half. Could she really turn her back on that?
Chapter Sixteen
There was no way Maureen could sleep with such heavy matters weighing on her mind. When morning came though, she was sure she had her answer. Maureen couldn't wait to put all the drama behind her. But the peace didn't last quite as long she was anticipating. Brian came calling, pleading to have his emotions heard.
"I know you've had a lot on your mind and it must not be easy," Brian said.
"No argument here," Maureen replied.
"I just wanted to let you know one thing above all else though," Brian said.
Maureen didn't know what was left to say. She already knew Brian loved her with all of his heart. That he would do anything for her. And that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. But still, Brian managed to surprise her.
"I just want you to be happy," Brian continued. "And I want you to do what's best for your heart."
Sweeter music had never played in Maureen's ears. "I'm so happy to hear you say that."
"Of course," Brian continued. "You're the love of my life. Nothing matters more than your happiness."
"I've never heard those words come out of Tyler's mouth," Maureen explained.
"From experience I can assure you, the idea of losing you is not easy one to come to terms with," Brain said.
"And yet you're surprisingly calm," Maureen noticed.
"Because I realize that life has a plan for me. And I just hope that plan involves you and I together," Brian said.
Such charisma was hard to ignore. Brian always said the right things. And he seemed to adore Maureen. But she had to hear the words out of his mouth once more.
"Brian, I need to know. How much do you love me?" Maureen asked.
Brian didn't hesitate in answering. "I love you with all of my heart. You make me happier than I've ever been in my whole life. And when I'm with you, I feel like my life can't get any better."
Tears of joy started to well up in Maureen's eyes. "That's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me."
"It's just the truth," Brian admitted.
"Good. Because I feel the same way about you," Maureen said.
"Wait, does that mean--"
"I choose you," Maureen replied. "It's you I want to be with."
Brian's smile was instant validation that Maureen had made the right choice.
"I just want you to know you've made me the happiest man in the world," Brian said.
Brian then gave Maureen a deep tongue kiss that took her breath away. And at that moment, Maureen couldn't have been happier.
The End.
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