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Call Delaney.
I’M STANDING ON THE side of the field, watching Tanner throw a perfect spiral down the length of the field. Oakley catches it in the end zone and celebrates like this isn’t just a scrimmage against his own team members. I chuckle, unable to deny that I’ve actually grown to like these guys. They have a strong work ethic, and for some of them, if they push for it, I honestly believe they’ll go pro one day.
“What the fuck is your deal?”
My eyes widen at the familiar voice, and I whip around to face her. Tessa stands there, for once meeting my gaze, but man does she look pissed. She raises one eyebrow at me, as if she’s waiting for my answer. For a moment, I’m tongue-tied.
“Uh, did I do something?”
She scoffs. “Don’t play fucking stupid, Asher. What did you say to Lennon?”
I raise my hands. “We were just discussing the assignment.”
It’s clear she doesn’t buy a word I’m saying as she steps closer. I can practically feel the anger radiating off her. Gone is the girl I spent the last month tangled under the covers with.
“You don’t see me talking to Colby about you behind your back, so don’t talk to Lennon behind mine. I’ve already lost enough. I don’t need you fucking shit up for me.” She prods her index finger into the center of my chest. “I mean it, Asher. Leave her out of this.”
“I’m not trying to mess anything up for you. I’d never—you know that.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know anything. Not anymore.”
Her eyes are glazed over, almost like they were when I pull her out of that fire, only worse. The only emotion in them is the hatred she seems to be directing straight at me. It could be a cover, a way to block out the pain, or her mind is tormenting her even more now.
“Tess,” someone calls, and she glances back. Easton stands fifteen feet away from us, and based on the looks he’s giving me, he knows exactly who I am. “You ready?”
Nodding, she goes to walk away.
“Wait,” I grab her hand, and the feeling of it causes us both to freeze. She looks up at me, and I think I see a glimmer of the girl I’ve gotten to know so well. “Come over later. Talk to me.”
For a second, I think she might actually agree, but that hope dies when she pulls her hand from mine and what I saw in her gaze vanishes. “There’s nothing left to talk about.”
She goes over to Easton, who gives me one last dirty look before draping his arm over her shoulders and walking her over to his car. Every inch of me wants to rid his touch from her body, but I can’t. It’s not my place. Not anymore.
THE WHISKEY SLIDES DOWN my throat, burning the whole way. No matter how much I drink, none of it seems to rid myself of the feeling like there’s a gaping hole in my chest. I’ve never felt this unsettled. Not when I ended my engagement to Nikki. Not when my career ended a decade early. It’s as if Tessa took every significant part of my life with her when she left.
“You could make her talk to you,” Colby suggests. “Lord knows she did it enough to you.”
I shake my head. “If I’ve learned anything about Tessa Callahan, it’s that forcing her to do something only does more harm than good. And I respect her too much to break her even more.”
“Fair enough.”
He pours more of the amber liquid into my glass, and I sigh. “I don’t get it. I mean, I can understand why I’m so worried about her, she’s clearly going down the wrong path, but to feel this empty? It can’t just be because she’s not here.”
“Of course, it can,” he counters. “Because it’s Tessa—the psychotic little pyromaniac with a sassy attitude and comebacks that can keep up with the best of them—and you’re in love with her. That’s why you brought her to Miami and surprised her. Why she was able to break you down and get you to give in. And why you called her sister so she can make sure she’s okay.”
My mind instantly goes to the way her sister sounded when I filled her in on what’s going on. Her first reaction was to get on a plane and
fly here by tomorrow morning. However, Knox managed to talk her down from that when he reminded her that Tessa is staying with Zayn and Easton. From what it sounded like, those are two of Knox’s best friends which gives Delaney a reason to trust them.
I remember the look on Tessa’s face just before she walked away from me earlier: how detached she seemed from everything that has to do with me, like all she’s trying to do is heal and I keep getting in the way of that. Maybe she’s right—there’s nothing left to talk about.
“You’re probably right,” I tell him, “but it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Bringing the glass to my lips, I take another swing and swallow it down, hoping to drown out the thoughts of her.
I GLANCE UP AND down the hallway, hoping to see the brunette I’ve been trying to avoid the past couple days. Even during class, I’ve kept my distance. All her assignments get perfect grades, regardless of if she turns them in. I make it a point not to talk to her friends, and I don’t, under any circumstances, try to talk to her. Well, except now.
As the hallway clears, I sigh in relief when I see her standing at her locker, alone for once. I make my way over to her and stop only a couple feet away. My palms are clammy, telling me I’m nervous, but why wouldn’t I be? This is the absolute last thing I wanted to do today, but I have no choice. If I don’t talk to her before she leaves, I’ll have to rely on her checking her voicemails, and that’s no way for her to hear this.
