Play The Part (Player Next Door Book 3)

41 | Because Of One Night

A heavy chapter to write. Who's here? I'm gonna be knee deep in comments on this one <3 

Chapter 41: Because of one night

We had a plan.

It just wasn't good enough.

It wasn't quick enough.

And now, I felt Luke's heartbreak more than I've ever felt anything.

I didn't realize how much I depended on Luke's strength to carry me through my lows. I just wish I could be that person for him.

It was like the rock that made the foundation of our house had cratered. So much revolved around Luke. He was like a sun that attracted all these little planets and specks of dust to rotate around him.

He always had a plan. His physical strength matched his mental strength. Something people often don't see with Luke is how quick on his feet he is, how loyal to his friends he is and how passionate he is.

I failed him.

And I just know that if roles were reversed, he would never have failed me.

"Millie, would you please bring in the mashed potatoes?"

I snapped out of my daydream and stared at Mrs Dawson in her kitchen.

Her pearl earrings caught the sunlight and sparkled. Her lipstick was a velvety brown, which contrasted against her pearly white teeth.

She raised her manicured hand and pointed.

A bowl of creamy, whipped mashed potatoes was sitting on their marble counter, in a terracotta bowl that the Dawsons had been gifted on their wedding day.

Mrs Dawson handed me the bowl.

"Is everything ok, Millie?" she asked me, "You usually talk non stop."

I felt my hands clasp around the bowl and I registered her speaking a second too late. I looked up, "Thank you."

I turned around and carried the bowl from the kitchen and across the hallway. I stared down at the chives sprinkled over the whipped peaks of these creamy, mashed potatoes.

Everything here was so perfect.

I shoved the wooden doors open and found the aroma of a candlelit dinner stressful. Mr Dawson was sitting at the head of the table with a glass of scotch in his hands.

Charlotte was unfolding her napkin, her phone buzzing on the table in front of her.

And Luke, my vulnerable Luke, was sitting next to his father.

It's hard when everyone expects you to be so strong - how do you show weakness? How do you ask for help?

The three of them looked exactly like the cast of some hollywood advert of a perfect family.

I came round to place the bowl of mashed potatoes next to him and I saw Luke's hand was clasped into a fist under the table.

I glanced down at him and he looked up at me, his crystal blue eyes almost comforting me. His chiseled features framed so perfectly, despite the pain he was going through.

He didn't want my pity.

I just wonder, if I had run faster, if I didn't meet Bianca in the bathroom or get distracted by the conversation with Jake... would we have made it in time? Would all of this be different? 

"Luke, I have some friends who want to come see you in your next game. Maybe we can all go for a beer together after," Mr Dawson said with a content smile.