AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re distracted.”
“I’m not… I’m fine.” God, I fucking hated that word.
“I think the job would be good for you. It’s about time you—”
One minute there was just the two of us, the next we were swarmed by the team as the guys jostled to high-five me.
“Enjoy it,” my brother said around a small smile, backing away. That look in his eye, it made my heart clench. Longing. Regret… Disappointment.
I knew what he was thinking. I could have had this. I could have had it all. But I’d squandered my shot.
I’d messed it up.
“Okay, go easy on me,” I protested, as the guys closed in around me, their excitement bleeding into the air. It was impossible not to be swept away in it, and soon I found myself chanting alongside them.
“Raiders, Raiders, Raiders.”
As the high settled, the crowd began to disperse, and Jase ordered everyone into the locker rooms to get showered and changed so we could move things to the hotel.
I lingered behind though. When he noticed, he called, “Coming?”
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
Understanding passed between us and he nodded, taking off after his players. The high school stadium was almost empty now, save for a few stragglers.
I walked into the center of the field, crouching down and running my hand over the trampled grass, breathing in the cold air. My eyes shuttered as I let the memories out. The harsh glare of the Friday night lights. The noise, the smell, the crackle of anticipation. I’d once lived for it, but even the promise of a future in football hadn’t been enough to chase away my demons, and in the end, I’d sabotaged any chance I’d had going pro.
Burying my face in my hands, I inhaled a deep breath as I rose and prepared myself to lock all that bullshit back in its box. Back where it belonged. There was no point crying over spilt milk. I wasn’t a kid anymore, and it was too late for second chances.
I started to make for the tunnel leading to the locker room, but something caught my eye over by the exit.
Peyton.
Peyton and the unfamiliar guy. He was all up in her face, whispering something into her ear. It didn’t look like a friendly conversation though, her arms folded over her chest, creating a barrier between them.
Why wasn’t she with the others? Waiting for the team to get done?
I was about to intervene when Bryan appeared, jogging in their direction. He was still in his kit, looking murderous as he approached them.
He hadn’t even acknowledged me, his sole purpose getting to her.
Had she texted him?
It made sense. They seemed close.
Why do you care?The thought rang loud in my mind. I didn’t. At least, I wasn’t supposed to.
But then Bryan got all up in the guy’s face and Peyton lunged forward trying to separate them.
I was moving before I knew what was happening. “You don’t want to do that, Hughes,” I growled, startling Peyton. She shrunk into herself, refusing to meet my eyes. “What the hell is going on here?” I demanded.
“Ask Farrow,” Bryan spat, eyes narrowed with contempt.
“You,” I pinned the other guy with a hard stare. “What’s your name?”
“Sean Farrow.”
I vaguely recognized it from Jase and the other coaches. From what I’d heard, he was bad news.
