She turned her gaze on Mick, who pushed the screen door open and stepped out back.
She knew this conversation should have waited until they were back at Gavin’s house. But he’d been so tense lately, and watching that game today had nearly done him in.
He needed to get back to work. Not for her. God, not for her.
For himself.
“Mick, please. Let me have a minute with Gavin.”
“Why? So you can needle him about how important it is that he play for the Rivers? God, Elizabeth, don’t you ever let up? Is the job always number one to you?”
She stood, wiped her hands down the sides of her Capris. “It’s not like that. I was just—”
“I know what you were just. You were just going to convince Gavin that time is money. Play is money. Image is everything, and if he doesn’t get out on the field, he’s losing image points. Possible contract renegotiation position. I know how you think.”
She shook her head. “No, you don’t. If you’d just let me—”
“Can’t you just for one second think about someone else besides yourself and your career and what’s important to you? What about Gavin, my mother, my father? What about what’s important to them? Did you once stop to think that maybe my mom needs Gavin here for emotional support?”
“I did. I thought—”
“No, you didn’t think at all about that. All you thought about was getting Gavin back on the ball field, so millions of people could see him play. God forbid he’s not out there front and center, on television, in the media. I know the game, Liz. I know your game. And this time I’m not going to let you use Gavin to play it.”
Her gaze shot to Gavin, who hadn’t said a word.
Didn’t he know? Didn’t he understand what she was trying to do?
He didn’t. He believed every word Mick said. He thought it was about the money, the PR, the face time. Not about what was best for Gavin the person, what was best for him inside.
Tears pricked her eyes, and she’d be damned if she’d cry in front of them.
“I’m sorry.”
She brushed past Mick and opened the screen door, past Tara and Gavin’s mom.
“Elizabeth. What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry. I have to go.”
Tears blinded her as she grabbed her purse and fled to the front door. She pulled it open and ran to her car, peeled out of the driveway and hit the street. She hoped like hell Gavin wouldn’t come after her.
He wouldn’t. She already knew he wouldn’t.
Gavin had believed Mick. Mick’s words had sunk in, had made sense to him. Otherwise, he’d have spoken up, would have said something, would have stopped Mick from saying those awful things.
But he hadn’t.
Deep down Gavin believed Elizabeth was just as bad as Mick thought she was.
She should have seen it, should have known.
At least now she did.
It was over.
GAVIN WAS SUCH AN ASSHOLE. HE’D STOOD THERE AND listened to Mick make those accusations against Elizabeth and hadn’t said a goddamned word.
So fucking typical, wasn’t it? Mick, the big brother, who always knew what was best, right?
Only maybe this time he was right.
Gavin wasn’t ready to go back to the game yet. Mom needed him. So did Dad. And Elizabeth was probably anxious about Gavin missing so many games. She had his professional interests in mind, not his personal ones.
Didn’t she?
Mick had just stood there and stared at him after Elizabeth ran inside, then said, “You know I’m right about this. Open your eyes and see her for who she really is before she hurts you.”
Then he’d gone inside, leaving Gavin alone out there with his thoughts.
All his thoughts.
Only he wasn’t sure which thoughts were the right ones.
“Gavin, what happened?”
His mother stepped outside, a dish towel in her hand.
Gavin bent his head over the grill and scrubbed. “Nothing.”
“Elizabeth ran out of here, and I’m pretty sure she was crying. That doesn’t seem like nothing.”
He shrugged. “I’ll handle it.”
“Did Michael say something to her?”
“Probably nothing that wasn’t the truth.”
She took a seat on the chair. “Expand on that.”
“She wanted me to go back to the game.”
“And?”
“Mick accused her of selfish interests. That she’s only concerned I’ll be replaced.”
“And you said what to that?”
He lifted his gaze to his mother. “I said nothing.”
“So basically you allowed your brother to insult the woman you love, and you didn’t say a word.”
He frowned. “I don’t love her.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re sure about that? Because from what I’ve seen of the two of you together, it seems to me you do love her.”
“Don’t tell me how I feel, Mom. We’ve had some fun together. That’s all it is.”
His mom tilted her head and gave him her trademark bullshit look. “You’re so good at denying how you feel.”
He didn’t respond.
“But she’s also your agent. It’s her job to look out for your career.”