Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)

by Liz Tomforde

“The guy you were with tonight.” I slowly shift back to face her. “Who was he?” The set in her jaw is evident even from here. “Not your job to worry about.” Nodding, I turn back to my house, hands casually tucked in my pockets as I continue to walk. With my back to her, I make sure my words are loud enough for her to hear them. “Lose him.”

Oof. Too soon for all the oofs ive said about this story

A Sunday check-in is a must for her, but we call and text randomly throughout the week too.

The way we know everything about these characters already and not even 50 pages in

“I think you’d like her,” Kai says to me. “I met her. Nice girl.” “Okay,” Miller huffs. “She’s not that nice.” Kai’s knowing smile spreads. “Jealous.” She playfully rolls her eyes. “Always.”

Ew

“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “If you’re done taking phone calls, maybe we can get back to our meeting.” Those hazel eyes flash with hurt and I hate that almost as much as I want to hate her. Too mean. “How is um…” I rub my palm against the back of my neck. “How is Luke, by the way?”

I dont like this guy

Rio is standing there, beanie pulled down over his ears, joggers cinching at his ankles, right above his bare feet. But that’s not what has my mouth hanging open. It’s the fully unbuttoned flannel cuffed around his elbows that he’s wearing without another shirt underneath.

EW fuckass outfit

“Ind,”

Why with this nickname trend... Its one more letter!!!

Stevie suggests. “Great idea, Vee,”

Okay this is actually pissing me off

Her voice is sharp as she continues to pour drinks. “Go back to your table.”

Stand on business honey!! Talk about bring disrespectful while shes trying to work

“Do you need me to take care of this guy for you, Hal?” All I see is red. “What did you call her?”

Acting like its some private nickname and not just the first three letters of her name

Her eyes drop to my mouth. “I’m not yours either.” We’ll see.

The way hes never technically mentioned yet that hes actively into her

“Absolutely not, Tay.” Rio’s brows are pinched. “Spoiler alert, but she gives up her voice because she thought some random dude was hot. We’re strong independent women here. The only princess movies we’re going to watch are the ones where they realize they don’t need a man.” This time I can’t contain my laughter, which has Rio looking in my direction with a smile.

Immediately No

“Why?” She seems genuinely confused with those brows pinched together and her nose scrunched.

Bitch... Dont play dumb

He’s also added a dark gray beanie pulled down over his ears since coming outside.

Ruined it

And though I know I’m going to be dead tired on my feet tomorrow, I also don’t want this to end.

Like awe cute whatever but... Isnt that why he brought the pillow/blanket... So she could get more sleep... Bc she works two jobs and is always tired...

“She wouldn’t be cool with you two spending time together again?” My sigh is heavy. “Not even a little bit.” He’s silent for a moment until he nudges me on the shoulder. “I know your relationship with your mom could not be more different than the nonexistent one I have with mine, so I might not seem like the best person to give this advice. But if anyone told me not to spend time with Stevie, I’d be quick to reevaluate that person’s importance in my life. I know you love your mom, we all love your mom, but you’re a grown-ass man now, Rio. At a certain point, our parents’ opinions can’t be more important than our own.”

No cause for real! Forget MA and grow tf up!

“I knew it.” Shaking her head at me, she bites back her smile. “This isn’t a date, you know.” “Oh God, no. It’s a work meeting, Hallie. Focus, please.”

Cute

New ones don’t play cassette tapes or even CDs anymore. But I don’t tell her that. “Why fix what’s not broken?” is what I say instead.

Im so confused. Theyre supposed to be 25 and 27 and they talk like they grew up in the 80s

“Do you think that… I mean, could you ever see yourself giving us another shot?” he asks. “Without your brother around to hide it from, without our families in the way. Would you ever want to try again with me?” My heart is physically cracking at his sweet words, at the soft way he says them. At the knowledge that I don’t have an answer that he’ll want. “I don’t know how to answer that,” I tell him honestly. “Try, Hal. Please. Just tell me what you’re thinking.”

Theyre literally dry humping... Please stop altogether or talk about it later wtf

He laughs sardonically to himself and closes his eyes as if it causes him physical pain to say what he’s about to say. “You know I don’t work that way. I can’t do one without the other.” Meaning he can’t do sex without the commitment. “Still?”

This motherfucker... Hes gonna basically fuck her then not give it to her unless she gets with him.... Oh i hate this guy

“Are you out of your mind? Just because I need you to be mine before I fuck you doesn’t mean I don’t want to cuddle.”

Time to set a boundary Hallie

“Oh, it’s all on the table, Hart. All you have to do is give me a chance.” My previously melting body stiffens in his hold. His playfulness morphs when he realizes. “I’m joking around.” “I know.” He searches my face. “Take your time, Hal. I was giving you shit.”

No but like thats actually so shitty of him

And apparently, neither did he.

He kept her from going in that closet... For a box of tapes... That were hidden....

Her voice rises. “How could you do that to me?” “I’m not doing anything to you.” I keep my voice steady. “And Hallie didn’t do anything to you either.” “She didn’t tell me! She was practically my daughter, and she knew that your father was having an affair, and she didn’t tell me. How can you even look at her now?”

Yikes Ma...

I hadn’t gotten a chance to tell him about my dad’s diagnosis all those years ago because twenty-four hours after I learned about it, I found out that his dad was having an affair.

Does there have to be a cancer subplot and an affaur subplot.... So dramatic

His eyes go wide. “You were afraid that my own actions would hurt my feelings? Jesus, Hallie. You should hate me, not protect me.” “But I’ve always protected you. At least I tried to, and that hasn’t changed.”

The way these women are written... Jesus theyre setting a standard that we should kill ourselves putting everyone else first... Then come back to life to clean up the mess and apologize for it

“What the hell?” My voice rises. “I hit on every single one of you over the years. And none of you were interested.” Kennedy rolls her eyes. “We don’t count.”

What??? Gross

“Yeah,” Miller agrees. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.” I can’t help but laugh at the directness. “Well, damn.”

Literally like hes ruining it. Her dad just made him promise to take care of her like wtf is his coddled selfish only child ass probelm?

Parking in my driveway, I jog across the lawn and up the steps to Hallie’s front door, knocking frantically and praying that she’s home.

The fact that he was hanging out with these women without her and the only reason hes seeing the light to talk to her is bc of them... Booo

The Rhodes families met him a couple years later, rounding out these five athletes and their wives who formed this unique little friendship group. But it’s wild to me that Rio met Kai and Isaiah last because every time Isaiah opens his mouth, I can’t get over how similar it sounds to some of the goofy things I’ve heard Rio say over the years.

Dont care

I’ve been on this endless loop of what-ifs whenever it’s quiet and I’m forced to think. My brain hasn’t stopped spinning since I was home last, so I take a long swallow of my whiskey and hope that’ll be enough to quiet things until Hallie gets here.

So either a joint and therapy would help with this

I unclasp her soaked bralette and toss it aside, letting it float away in the water.

Why did she wear a bralette in the tub

“Mm-hmm. I’ll make you come if you quit your job.” She laughs but it’s interrupted by a little moan. “Fuck you.” I smile against her skin, biting and sucking on her tits. “Give me what I want, Hallie, and I’ll return the favor.”

What a shit

“Wait,” Isaiah cuts in. “Easton Wilder? He’s a beast, and he’s only in his third season in the league. You’re living next to his sister?” Kennedy’s eyes go wide. “He’s amazing. Every time we play against him, I’m shocked by how good he is already.” “Okay.” Isaiah holds his hands out to stop her. “He’s not that great, Ken.”

BORING YAWN DONT CARE TOO MANY CHARACTERS ALREADY

Realization finally dawns on me. I forgot that his old number was his birthdate. Which means his new number is… “When I got to training camp in Chicago, they asked me if I wanted to keep eighty-three, but I decided it was time to change it to my actual favorite day.” My birthday. March eighth. Thirty-eight.

I thought she got this from the start.... Oh they make em dumb

“How is she supposed to come visit? My mom refuses to even let me talk about Hallie, and I’m supposed to assume they’ll be able to be in the same room?” My stomach drops. It’s not hearing that he’s going to sign with his hometown team that makes me feel sick. I’ve known that for a while. But instead, it’s the confirmation that his mother’s disdain for me has been eating away at him as I suspected it was.

His mother is actually awful she doesnt deserve being appealed to by Hallie, affair happened years ago youre not a victim anymore and shes still demonizing a 19 yrold. Hallie should NOT aologize to her. In fact the mom should apologize to Hallie

He shouldn’t be okay with his mother not liking the woman he’s with. And I know with every fiber of my being that I can no longer be that woman. That realization is so painful that I think I’m going to be sick. I just…I don’t know how I could even get the words out. The thought of that conversation, which is one I believed I’d never have to have, makes me physically ill. Not to mention, how will I ever find even courage to do what I know has to be done? Rio’s mom is his only family. He loves her the same way I love my dad, and I won’t be the reason that relationship falls apart. I refuse to be.

Give me a break

I’ve spent the entire week thinking about this conversation. Going over all the things I need to say and writing it down in the form of a letter in case she doesn’t want to listen to me.

This is worse than if she just tried to break up with him... They shouldnt have to do all this to accomodate his bitch ass Ma

“I don’t hate you, Hallie. But you were practically my daughter, and you didn’t tell me.”

She was 19 years old you monster!!!

“Mom?” Adjusting her blouse, her eyes snap up to mine. I’ve always been told I am the spitting image of her, and right now it feels like I’m looking in a mirror due to the complete and utter shock on her face that I know is reflected on my own.

Oof...

“I am so sorry for what she did, and I’m even more sorry that I didn’t tell you when I had the chance.” She inhales a shaky breath. “I had no idea that she said that to you. I had no idea your dad was sick. Is he…” “He’s good.” I allow the genuine smile to lift. “He lives in Minnesota with my brother’s family now.”

Fuck an apology, she put shit on 19 yr old Hallies shoulders too

“I was terrified.” “And then I was horrible to you.” I shake my head. “If I were in your shoes, I probably would’ve been horrible to me too.”

No no dont downplay! Ma needs to apologize

“I’ve spent about six years trying to avoid the regret I have from putting my son in the position to choose. There’s this stubborn part of me that hoped if I never acknowledged what I did was wrong, or if Rio never talked about you or your family again, that regret would be irrelevant. I could bury those feelings.

Werent doing a very good job there

“Mikey?” My voice rises, pointing a finger in his general direction. “You’re referring to my uncle Mikey. As in, my dad’s brother?”

They just now clear that up...