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“Neither do I, but I really need to talk about—”
“Shh.” He places a finger over my lips, and I fight the urge to swat his hand away. He leans down to give me a chaste kiss on the cheek. “I’ve missed us being together.”
“Me too.” The words feel bitter on my tongue. They’re not a complete lie. I have missed his friendship, but I need to end this. “Bobby, we’ve been friends for so long and you’ll always hold a special place in my heart, but I can’t do this anymore. I think it’s time to break—”
He stands abruptly. “I should go.”
“No, we need to talk about this. I’m trying to tell you that I want to break—”
“Your dad will be back soon, and I don’t want to give him the wrong impression.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. This is beyond ridiculous. “It’s not as if Dad chaperones us at college.”Not that we ever do anything that needs chaperoning.
That remark earns me a harsh glare. It’s meant to put me in my place, the obedient girlfriend stepping in line. I sit taller, hating the guilty feelings swarming my body—years of being the good submissive clashing with how I want to be. To find the spine I know I possess.
“It’s best I go. You know this. Besides, you have to work on my party.”
My lips curve into a tight smile. “You want me to throw you a welcome home party?”
“Of course! That’s what any good girlfriend would do.”
“That’s true, but I don’t think we’re on the same page. I don’t want to be your girlfriend anymore.”
“Come on. You don’t mean that. And besides, you always take care of me. Just as it should be.” He kisses the top of my head before pivoting toward the door. “I’ll let myself out. Call if that guy gives you any problems.”
“Everything’s fine. You’re being judgmental.” And he is. The basis for Bobby’s quick assessment is strictly from Dalton’s appearance. That’s hardly fair.
“I still don’t like it. The offer to stay at my house is still open. And wipe that gunk off your face. Your cousin is a bad influence. You’re more wholesome without it, don’t you agree?” He doesn’t wait for my reply and turns to leave. The door shuts behind him, and I remain stationed on the couch, staring at the entrance. I can’t believe I ever entertained the thought of marrying him. Had he proposed and I said yes, nothing in my life would’ve changed. Sure, the scenery may be different, but the same prison walls would still cage me. The only difference would be the change in guard.
My throat tightens.
On top of everything else, I get to plan a party for a boyfriend I unsuccessfully dumped. Wonderful. I’ll get through this party and then find a way to break it off. Daddy won’t be happy, and he may send me away, but I can’t keep going on like this. Nicole is right. It’s past time to start living my life for me—not anyone else.
Chapter Ten
DALTON
I stepinto the locker room, wearing the same scowl that plagued my face the entire evening—not that anyone saw me last night. By the time I returned from my run, Cassie was nowhere to be found. I assumed she had left with her boyfriend, but I heard movement in her room after my shower. Doesn’t matter. She’s moved on from our, what, fling? Encounter?Fuck!This only proves I need to let her memory go.
Maybe Dad’s right, and I am defective. Or at the very least unlovable.
A couple of guys nod as I shuffle past them toward my locker. I return a grunt. It’s not the best way to bond with the team, but I couldn’t care less. Coach is the only person I need to impress. Everything else is noise—women in general. I’ve loved two women in my life, and both relationships ended in disappointment. I need to focus on myself.
And that starts by getting on Coach’s good side and completing the assignment he asked for. The short summary I bullshitted my way through wasn’t good enough. Not a surprise since I hadn’t spoken one word to Jason, but I had hoped. Coach took one glance at the paper and called me out. That earned me another fifty laps.
I shove my duffle bag into the locker and scan the room for my intended target. It’s not that I’ve purposefully avoided Jason. I didn’t know how to broach the subject. What do you say to someone you couldn’t care less about? Hey, I have to get to know you, so tell me your deepest secrets. Yeah, that’s not going to fly. I’ll start by asking him to meet after the game and then worry about the logistics later.
My gaze lands on him, waltzing through the door with two other infielders. I compartmentalize my anger and step toward them.Here goes nothing.
“Are you ready for tonight’s game? I heard coach was going to start you,” Carter says, cutting me off.
I look past him. Jason steps up to his locker. When he pulls his cleats out of the duffle bag, I realize I don’t have much time. “That’s the plan.”
I sidestep around Carter, but my cell goes off. Grunting, I make the mistake of pulling it out of my pocket and checking it. Dad. My entire body stiffens.
Damn it. Dad’s the last person I want to talk to. I’ve already ignored his other calls. I should, by all rights, answer.
“Aren’t you going to get that?”
