Page 129 of Kickoff

I motioned to the train wreck happening in front of us. “Paige, what’s going on? Tell me it’s all a big mistake and that I’m not seeing what is right before me.” Rage flooded my bloodstream now. My fists clenched so hard I feared my nails would draw blood.

“Mase. I swear I didn’t know. He’s a friend of her cousin. They have a band together or something. They spent their break together. The three of them. I saw pictures online last night. She told me nothing. We haven’t talked since that morning when…you know. I tried to contact her a few times, but I think she blocked my number.”

“What? What are they? Don’t hide anything from me.”

She glanced at her feet. “They are dating, I think. Three days ago, Jayden posted a picture of them kissing on that photo website with the tag My girl is hot. I’m so sorry, Mase. I thought it was a sick joke or something. A way to get back at you somehow. I never believed they were actually an item and that it was serious.”

“Sorry? Sorry? Sorry doesn’t mean shit right now. It doesn’t fix anything. I listened to everyone who said I should follow her lead and give her some time while she was healing. That she was prioritizing herself and getting better. I did all of it. I didn’t reach out. I gave her space. I didn’t drive to Traverse City when I missed her like crazy. Or call her when I was awake in the middle of the night, wondering if she was scared or if people were treating her right. I haven’t seen her in six weeks. It’s a long fucking time. Her parents told me she was doing better and was ready to come home and that I could see her today so we could fix our relationship because she was more stable emotionally and mentally. And now that she’s back, she’s with him? No. No, no, no. She can’t be. It’s a mistake. She was supposed to come back to me. To be my girlfriend. Not Clarke’s. Jayden I’m-gonna-kick-his-ass Clarke.” I tugged at my hair, pacing the parking lot. “No. I don’t agree with that. Are you sure? Is it a prank you’re playing on me? Are you all in on this?”

Craig pulled me aside. “Mase, calm down and let it go. For now.”

“No,” I screamed despite myself. “This was not how it was supposed to be.”

My body vibrated with all the anger and sadness spreading through me.

My brother hugged me. “I know. Stick with me, okay? I have your back. Always.”

I leaned back and adjusted my jacket, trying to look unaffected. Even though I wanted to, I couldn’t put my cocky jock suit on this time. My head and my heart weren’t in the game. My attention drifted to the main entrance where Melinda had disappeared.

Nausea filled my mouth. My eyes burned with unshed tears.

I was a bomb about to explode.

How many nights had I spent lying awake, imagining our reunion? I would open my arms, and she would run into them, telling me how much she’d missed me. Then she would kiss me, saying she should have done this a long time ago. The scene I’d witnessed right now looked nothing like that. For a moment, I wondered if this morning was just a nightmare I would wake up from.

My heart raced faster in my chest. I felt dizzy. My mouth tasted like chalk paint.

Craig elbowed my side. “Come on.”

Following Paige and my brother inside, I met with Chase who was waiting by my locker. “Hey, Cap. How was your break?” Chase had spent the last two weeks in Bora Bora with his mom and older brother, far away from his deadbeat father.

“Later,” I mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

“Whoa, did your cat die?”

“I don’t have a cat. Gimme a break.”

Tanya walked by, waving her fingers. “Morning, baby,” she purred.

“Who are you calling baby?” my friend asked. “Me? No thanks, I would rather die than get too close to you. I’m afraid your poison is lethal. That bitch attitude of yours might be contagious, and I haven’t received the vaxx.”

She pushed my friend with a hand. “Go, get lost somewhere else, Chase. I’m not talking to you. I’m here for my king.”

“Jesus,” I groaned.

“Your king?” Chase’s attention traveled between us. “Something I missed?”

Tanya sighed. “Haven’t I told you to get lost already? Come on, Masey Baby.”

“Masey Baby?” Chase’s loud chuckle vibrated around us. “That’s precious.”

“Don’t,” I said, pointing at him.

He inserted himself between Tanya and me, blocking my view of her. “Tan, hear me out. No way will I let my man here alone with a viper like you. Your behavior is bordering on harassment.”

Tanya circled him and draped herself all over me. I wanted to push her away, I really did, but I was hurting and couldn’t care less what anyone thought right now.

Chase nudged me. “Are you okay with her being here, or do you want me to kick her ass to Neptune? Your call, Captain.”