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And when we finally get to my house, I bail out before he can say anything to make me change my mind. Because a few words from his mouth could easily do that.
I need to walk away from this. Because deep down, I know I wasn’t his first choice. And I’ll be damned if I settle for second.
20
Hunter
Practice is brutal, but I think we all knew it would be after we lost Saturday night’s game. Yesterday, I spent the day texting and calling Sutton, asking if she needed anything after learning the truth about her family. She ignored all of my messages, so that was fucking awesome.
She’s pissed that I offered to pay her to quit stripping. But I fucking would. I can’t stand the thought of her continuing to do it. Turns out, Watson also learned this weekend that Ryann works at Peaches. And that’s a problem for them because he’s fucking obsessed with the girl. But on the bright side of that, he found out Sutton’s work schedule through Ryann. So, I’ll be able to at least go and make sure no one tries to fuck with her during her next shift.
“I might die.” Cade grabs his side. “I think that’s Coach’s plan—kill us and get a new lineup.”
“One that doesn’t suck balls,” I groan.
“Fuck you guys. I sure as hell don’t suck.” Walker shakes his head while we wait for Coach to decide that our fifteen seconds of rest have ended and barks another order. “Thompson, what the fuck happened to you at Peaches on Saturday? One second, you were there, and the next, you were nowhere to be seen.”
Cade wiggles his eyebrows, dropping his voice to a whisper. “I saw you go to the door—the one the dancers use to go out back. So, about that, what did you say to that bouncer for him to let you out back? For future purposes, ya know. In case I find myself in a similar situation.”
“Cade, shut up,” I growl before pointing toward Walker. “And you, I had to go see a friend—that’s all you need to know,” I snap just before Coach starts yelling again after looking up from his clipboard and seeing too many of us standing idle.
For once, I’m thankful for Coach being the hard-ass that he is. Because he just got me out of a million questions from these guys.
For now anyway.
Now that practice is over and I’ve showered and no longer smell like someone’s nasty, unwashed ass, we head out of the locker room. Link told us that we are having dinner as a team tonight, so that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Our bond is tight, but nothing like it was when Cam and Brody were here. Somehow, it seemed like Cam, Link, and Brody were the glue holding everyone together. Now, I guess we’re sort of floundering.
“Look who it is,” Cade mutters, jerking his chin toward the arena doors. “Who do y’all suppose she’s here for?”
I look up, wishing to find Sutton, and I sigh when I see Paige smiling in my direction. But even with her lips turned up, I can tell she’s nervous. I guess that’s what happens when two people go from being together to pretty much strangers.
“For the love of fuck,” I grumble under my breath. “I don’t have the energy for this today.”
Weeks ago, I would have been so excited to see her. It would have meant that maybe things were getting back to normal. Now…I wish she’d just go away.
“Hunter,” she says, looking up at me, smiling.
A sight that I used to count on to brighten my day suddenly does nothing for me besides irritate me. And eyes that I used to love to stare into make me cringe.
“I’ll catch up with y’all in the parking lot,” I tell the guys, and they all head outside, leaving me alone with the most up-and-down person I’ve ever met.
That is, until Poppy walks by, smirking so hard that it looks like it hurts her face.
“Paige, what are you doing here? I thought I made myself pretty clear the last time we talked that things were over. This shit’s getting really fucking old.”
“I know,” she whispers. “And if that’s really what you want…I’m gone. This will be my last attempt to right my wrongs. But I miss you. And I’m really,reallysorry that I got scared and let your parents drive me away. But this time apart has made me realize that you’re who I want to spend my life with. I want to be by your side when your dreams come true.”
“No, it wasn’t the time apart. We’ve had time apart for years now. It was seeing me with someone else—that’s what it was.” I look at her, shrugging. “It’s okay, Paige. We were kids. I know my parents suck. But I also know that if we were as solid as I thought we were, you would have stuck by my side anyway. And if you had, I never would have realized just how wrong for each other we really are.” I run my hand up the back of my neck. “You’re a great girl…but you aren’t my girl. Not anymore.”
“And who is your girl, Hunter?” she asks, her lip quivering. “Sutton?”
“If I’m lucky, yes. Yes, she will be,” I say honestly, done holding back. “Maybe not today and maybe not even tomorrow. But one day, Paige…she will be mine. And I’m sorry for that. But you and I, we’re done. For good.”
“Is there anything I can say to change your mind?” she whispers, tears spilling from her eyes. She wraps her hands around my waist and looks up at me. “I just want to go back to the way things were.”
“We can’t,” I say quickly. “Weeks ago? Yeah…probably. Now? Not a chance.” I peel her hands from my body and step around her, giving her one last look. “Good-bye, Paige. I wish you nothing but the best. But these interactions between us are over. I want off this ride.”
I mean it when I say I want the best for her. She’s not a bad person. She got scared. We were too deep, too fast, and she needed a way out. She used my parents as her scapegoat instead of being honest. But still, I want good things for her.
