Page 49 of Bad Run

It’s as if I don’t exist.

The one time I tried talking to her, she blew me off. Made up a meeting and then scurried off like a scared little animal before I could utter anything more than hello. I’m tempted to get her information and hire her to help me with my social media accounts, just so she will talk to me again.

Nico enters the building, and just my luck, I watch Gwen turn the corner and walk right into my buddy. My feet twitch to walk over and insert myself, but I stay planted and watch.

As usual, I can’t tear my eyes off her as she chats with Nico.

I can’t take my eyes off Gwen anytime we are in the same room. She’s got me under her spell, and I’m starting to think it’s hopeless to stay away from her.

Gwen’s demeanor changes when Nico asks her something, and it puts me on edge. I fight the urge to stomp over there and punch him for upsetting her.

Nico says something else, and like a switch, she’s back to her bubbly self. He leans in for a hug, spying me over her shoulder. Gwen chuckles, and a low growl rumbles in my chest as I scowl at him. I’m pathetic. Getting jealous of my friend when he’s in a relationship is absurd.

What is wrong with me?

They exchange a few more words before Gwen walks away and disappears down one of the other corridors, and I can’t help but glare at my friend.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he warns, walking past me.

“What was that about?” I ask, catching up and falling into step beside him.

We head toward the meeting room, where the team is meeting with Coach Anson for his ritual motivational speech.

“Nothing, you fucking lurker. Ask her yourself.”

“Tried. She doesn’t want to talk to me.” I sigh, rubbing my hand over my chin.

“That’s your fault,” he says, rubbing salt in my wounds.

Nico isn’t wrong, but what am I supposed to do? She’s the owner’s daughter. I can’t jeopardize my career.

“I know.” We fall silent as a group of rookies walks past us.

Taking pity on me, Nico says, “She was just telling me about my new contract and intel on Kyle. Are you ever going to tell us what happened?”

I slip my hands into my pockets and slouch. “The less you know …”

“Fair. If you ever want to talk—”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks, man.” What more can I say? Unless Gwen miraculously gets adopted by a new family, I’m fucked.

“Anytime.” He slaps me on the back as we take seats next to the rest of the guys for the team meeting.

The anguished look on Gwen’s face pops back into my head, and for some inexplicable reason, I need to go find her and see if she’s okay.

Before Coach Anson starts his speech, I jump out of my seat.

“What the fuck, Taylor? Where are you going?” Reed hisses.

The first thing that pops into my mind is to hold my stomach and say, “Bathroom.”

“Damn, dude, you need to change your diet.”

Cam looks in my direction with confusion and a hint of curiosity. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine. Cover for me?”

“Good luck.” Cam smirks as if he knows what I’m about to do. Freaky mind reader.