Page 79 of Under the Influence

I tried with her, actually tried.

I kiss her when I don’t kiss anyone.

I lost the first round, but I am not going to lose the fight.

“Just go home,” I grit, rubbing my face with my hands.

How could I be so dumb?

She stands and violently yanks her bag from my floor. Tears begin to well up in her eyes, but she doesn’t let them fall.

She turns to leave, rushing quickly out the door. The back of a red Legacy hoodie is the last thing I see before she slams it shut.

I feel my chest tighten when I realize it’s Carson’s number on the back.

Not mine.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FIVE

CARSON

"I want you guys to be flawless by the time season rolls around. I'm not seeing that today, too many errors."Coach growls, continuing, "If you guys don't learn to trust each other and play as a team, you'll never make it to state this year."

I hear a loud thump as Nash slams his hand into the locker behind me, causing half the team to jump. Coach turns his eyes to him. "And you," he points at Nash. "In my office. Right now."

I can’t help but laugh internally, Nash the dramatic. No doubt Coach is ripping him a new one for acting out. Probably touching base about Drayton Lewis moving to Legacy.

His arrival isn't going to phase me, but I don't plan on handing over my position. It will be my pitching that will bring home that State Championship trophy, just like last year.

I grab my stuff, slinging my bag over my shoulder. Nash and Coach walk out of his office about the same time.

"Carson, you still going to Tennessee this weekend?"

"Yes, sir, you know it's my first choice."

He laughs, "Let's get a visit in before you start ranking. Let me know how it goes."

"I will," I nod.

"And Nash," he warns. "Behave. Remember what I said."

Nash rolls his eyes, forcing the door open dramatically.

I give Coach an apologetic smile and unlock my truck with the key fob. Nash slings his bag into the bed and slides into the passenger seat, shutting the door without a word. We usually hang with the guys after practice, or at least talk in the parking lot, but it's pretty obvious Nash isn't having that today. In fact, he's been on edge all week.

Cori showed up at school on Monday, and everything was different, like the entire dynamic between them had shifted. It makes me wonder what happened after I left the other night.

Did she sleep with him? Did she want to?

I didn't want to leave. Actually, I wanted to drag her away from him. Avery called me over to talk about how we would tell the world about our breakup, but we both decided it would be best if we kept it quiet while she was away, and we'll figure it out when she gets back, right before Homecoming. I felt bad because my body was there with Avery, but my mind was in Nash's bedroom, with Cori.

"What happened the other night when Cori and I brought you home?"

"Nothing," he snaps.

"Well, something happened. You've been acting like an asshole all week."