Page 6 of On the Breakaway

My jaw tightens, mind flashing back to New Year’s while I push through the locker room doors.

I’d thought, for a breath, that maybe we would call some kind of truce. Instead, she’d looked at me like I was the last person on earth she’d ever want to put her mouth near, panicking so fast that I couldn’t even react before she shoved her tongue down Liam’s throat.

I toss my bag onto the bench harder than necessary, the sound echoing off the walls.

Making her uncomfortable wasn’t the plan. I didn’t want her to kiss me if she didn’t want to. Actually, I didn’t want her to kiss me at all, but it still hurt my ego a bit more than I wanted to admit.

Sue me, I like being liked.

A couple of the guys are already here, scattered around in various stages of waking up before heading to the trainer. Someone grunts a greeting, and I nod back.

“Morning, Cap.”

“Morning.”

I don’t linger this early because quiet is part of the appeal.

I change quickly, but my head isn’t in it anymore. After two weeks, I should be over her rejection, but I’m somehow more pissed off.

“Working overtime already?” Liam asks as he strolls into the room.

“Something like that,” I mumble.

He hops up beside me, still in his sneakers with a grin plastered across his face.

“You’re making the rest of us look bad.”

“As if you need help in that department.”

He huffs out a laugh, stretching his arms over his head.

It took time to get quick enough to spar with Liam, but now it comes naturally.

“Where were you Saturday?” He asks.

“At home.”

“Yes, but why?”

I exhale slowly, already annoyed. “Wasn’t into it.”

“Because the soccer team was going to be there?”

I grit my teeth, forcing calmness into my voice. “I thought we’d get a reprieve, considering Nathan and Wesley called it off last week.”

He shrugs. “Everyone knows that won’t last. Those two are meant to be together.”

I snort. It’s true, even if they both don’t see it yet.

“And,” he adds, nudging my shoulder, “you’re saying a certain redhead had nothing to do with it?”

I don’t even hesitate. “I’m positive.”

“Because she was there.”

No shit.

“I don’t care.”