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“Neither can you.”
It’s my turn to chuckle. “Then it’s a good thing I don’t want to control her.” I step to him, removing the remaining space between us. “But there is one thing you should keep in mind. I’ll pick her. Always her. So, if you really want to end this shit, be my guest. Do what you have to, but so will I. You have a choice to make for yourself. Because every single thing I told you this morning still applies. Touch her and you’re done.”
“Why are you fighting so hard for someone who wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire? Actually, shetriedto set you on fire. I know that yacht was her doing.” He takes a step away from me. “Next time, you might not be so lucky. Just saying.”
He’s not telling me anything I don’t know. But again, it’s her. It’ll always be her. “Is that it?”
He nods. “We’ll put this behind us and keep our heads on straight from this point on. I might not have the command over you that she does, but I keep my word. Win the season and we’re done with all this BS. All of it.” He grumbles the last sentence to himself. And I want to know why he wants this title so bad but doubt he’d ever tell me the truth.
I don’t waste my breath or the little energy I have left by giving him another warning. He either gets it or he doesn’t. And I’m ready to respond accordingly. What I’m not ready for is who I see when I open the office door. Ava.
Remaining frozen near the doorway, I give her a what-the-fuck-are-you-doing look as she quickly shakes her head and barely glances my way. Instead, she focuses past me. “Can I talk to you for a second, Coach King?”
“Sure. Come on in.” He flags her in and moves back to the chair behind his desk. I linger for a second longer, but she closes the door. That can’t be good. Why would Ava come to him? She has to know it’ll only make the situation worse between her and Morgan.
Quickly, I grab my things then head to the parking lot and wait by the car nearby that belongs to Ava. When she spots me, she nervously glances around, fumbling with her phone.
“What was that about?”
“It wasn’t important.”
“Morgan might disagree.”
Ava steps closer to me. “She knows. I’m doing what I have to so she doesn’t try and kill me. So, please, butt out. I can’t handle much more.” A tear slips down her face, but I have a hard time feeling sorry for her. Was she responsible for Lenny’s actions? No. But she’s not innocent in what happened either.
Though no one deserves the wrath that Morgan King can dish out. And speaking of the beast… I can’t help but want to check on her. Yeah, it’ll piss her off. But I don’t care. I kept an eye on her during practice, noticed she stretched, but didn’t do much else. Whether she wants to admit it or not, she should’ve taken a few days to recover. Instead, she ran full steam ahead and tumbled into a boxing match with Ava in the hallway.
Once I’m parked in front of the King residence, I send Ryder a message.
Are you and Morgan both at home?
Yes, why?
Can you let me in the house? I just want to check on her.
Fine. But don’t tell her it was me.
Thanks.
Messaging him probably isn’t the best choice since we’d decided to limit communication. But it’s easier than trying to convince her mom to let me in. Or even more challenging—Morgan herself.
By the time I reach the red door, Ryder’s opened it and is giving me a look that relays this is a bad idea. So we’re both in agreement. Only, my self-preservation is low in comparison to my need to see her.
“She’s in her room,” Ryder mutters as he turns to walk away.
I tell him thanks, then head upstairs. Twisting the doorknob on her bedroom door, I’m grateful it’s unlocked and not another obstacle to get past today. But when I slowly open it and step inside her room, she’s nowhere in sight. Glancing around, I notice the bathroom door only open a few inches. Walking over, I knock my knuckles against it.
“Go away,” she calls out from behind the door.
“You don’t even know who it is.” I push it open to find her sitting in the oversize tub. That shouldn’t mean anything, but it does. She’s always been more of a shower person than a soaking-in-a-bath girl. But my guess is her body probably needed a relaxing soak and after today. So does mine. Her in it makes it even more appealing.
“Doesn’t matter. All you fuckers need to go away.”
I wish I could. At least, part of me does. The other part is glad to crave her in this moment. Because if I didn’t need her so much, there’s no way I could handle her.
Stepping next to the tub, I stand and watch her for a few seconds before she finally looks up. “You really can’t take a hint can you? Or a blunt statement for that matter.”
Maybe I’m too far gone. But I keep that to myself. Because she only responds well when I’m a dick to her. And right now, I don’t want her to send me away. “Perhaps I enjoy getting told what a dumb fuck I am by an equally stubborn ass.”
