Page 42 of The Has-Been

You know, I think I suddenly see what Reese has all along—he’s kind of an ass.

“Reid—” I plead, looking at him and demanding he answer me honestly.

“Look,” he urges, and we continue walking. “I only stayed because the roads were bad and I didn’t want her to drop me off and have to drive home alone.”

I put my hands on my hips because why does Reid sound like a fucking gentleman all of a sudden?

I forget my train of thought when he mentions, “Wait a second—what are you doing here?”

“I need so many clinical credits per sport,” I explain. “I haven’t exactly been knocking down the door to step foot in this place, so…I’ve been avoiding it,” I admit, and he gives me a look. “My advisor had Mandy and me switch places.”

“Oh…” His voice trails off as a slow chuckle cuts into his words. “Fun. This is going to be so fucking great.”

Then, with a snort, Reid pushes open the locker room door. I look back as I head in the direction of the trainer’s room, but he disappears in a fit of laughter before I can ask him what’s so funny.

I put my stuff down and wait for the slow trickle of players to come in and get stretched or to have their ankles taped.

Mandy told me there would be another student helping with the start of the season—a senior who needed to make up hours. But where the hell are they?

I finish wrapping up Brennan’s ankle. He can’t even look me in the eyes. But I know it has nothing to do with Liam and everything to do with June.

Coward. I think as he scurries like a fucking cockroach when I’m finished.

I look up at the clock.

It’s four-thirty, and the game starts at five o’clock. So much for help from the other student trainer—the pregame rush will be over by the time they show.

I finish filling the water bottles, contemplating spitting in Reid’s for all the times he’s called me Hearteater. However, I decide he’s still a good friend to me, regardless of whether I’m concerned about him and Reese spending so much time together.

I stiffen at the sound of the door opening behind me.

“So, I won’t rat you out this time—” I don’t bother turning around, as I somehow know it’s my help arriving late. “But if you’re late again, I’ll have no choice but to⁠—”

When I do finally come face-to-face with him, I’m met with piercing green eyes.

My mouth drops open as we stay locked in a stalemate.

Suddenly, I understand what Reid found so funny earlier.

Liam and I have clinicals together.

Just wait until Karen hears about this.

CHAPTER 8

AM I MR. DARCY?

LIAM

I hate hockey.

No, seriously. The one thing that used to be my favorite thing on earth is now the bane of my fucking existence.

I sit in my Jeep, trying to still my shaking hands as I end the call with Jasmine, my therapist.

We had a long conversation, me catching her up on the latest shitshow I call my life—telling her about how I ran into Aubrey while she was on a date.

I feel better now. Well, better for me, that is.