Page 19 of Released from the Sin Bin

It’s different during a game. It’s expected and we have pads on that protect us. I’d never intentionally hurt someone, but right now, I could.

“Screw you.” My voice cracks as I force myself to storm out of her room and run straight to mine next door. Throwing myself on my bed to have a good, cleansing cry.

Kandi is my friend or was supposed to be. But all my friends want to do is make it clear that Vic is playing me.

They don’t know him like I do.

“I have nothing against Kandi, Luca.” He smirks down at me, knowing there’s a but coming. The only thing I really have against her is that she’s going to hurt my best friend. After all, the things she said weren’t anything I haven’t heard before. “But if she doesn’t feel the same way, then she’s using you.”

“Willa,” Luca groans while we switch off on the bench press for him to spot me. “How do you know she doesn’t feel the same?”

Because I know Luca. We’ve known each other since pee-wee hockey, when I used to kick his ass on the ice. Now, he’s a six foot, broad, and blonde teddy bear. He’s in love, and Kandi is…Kandi. I’m not sure she’s capable of loving him or any man.

Luca clings to everything he loves. After the loss he and his family endured, I don’t want to see him get hurt. I just got him back in my life as the fun lovable guy he is. I can’t bear to see him break down like that again.

“Has she made your relationship exclusive? Has she told you she loves you?” I question him with the obvious evidence that she doesn’t feel the same.

“Shh!” He cuts me off. “Don’t let anyone hear that word when you’re talking about me and Kandace. She’d freak out if she thought I said it.” He goes back to resetting the weights for me. We used to lift the same amount before he bulked up.

“Exactly.” I nudge past him to sit on the bench. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

I lift the bar up and lower it down over my chest. Breathe in and breathe out to come back up.

“What about you?” Luca stands back, ready to help if I need him. “All Vic is good for, is hurting you.”

I glare up at him, unable to talk through my set.

“I know I’ve never had a serious relationship before, but yours sucks.” He keeps going, digging into me all the things he and everyone else who gets a chance has pointed out before.

Five. Six…

“We love each other. Butt out, Luca,” he mimics me. “No one is perfect. I’m giving her time to realize that I’m the guy for her. I’ll take it as slow as she needs to for as long as it takes.”

Ten. I drop the bar back in the holder, pissed that he brought up my relationship to defend his nonexistent one.

“Take it from me, it’s not worth the pain.” I leave him to do the last of his set by himself.

“Willa-bean, don’t be upset.” Luca follows me to the smoothie and snack counter. “I don’t want to fight with you. I want you to trust me, that I know what I’m doing and be there if I fail.” He winks at me, and his signature skewed dimples deepen with his playful smirk.

He’s happy and I should be happy for him, but it’s not going to work out. How can I sit back and just watch him fail? I will, because I’d rather not lose my best friend over a girl he’s fucking.

“I hope it works out,” I say begrudgingly with my chin up and my arms set firmly over my chest. If this is what he wants, there’s nothing I can do.

It’s not fun being at the brunt of everyone's scrutiny over your relationship. As much as I don’t like the idea of this deal he has with Kandi, I’ll be here when he needs me.

Luca’s elbow nudges my arm, but I don’t waver from the short line leading to the counter. He does it again until I’m shaking, trying to hide my laugh, and he’s dancing like an idiot in the smoothie line next to me.

“You’re so annoying.” I flick his ear.

“Ow!” He pouts and rubs the side of his head.

Right as I move to step up to the counter, he elbows me again, forcing my weight to the side and making me stumble to fall on my ass. “Luca!”

He laughs with his head thrown back and doesn’t do anything to help me up.

“I’m going to miss you,” he says and throws his thick arm over me into a headlock once I’m standing again.

“You’re stuck with me until I graduate.” I push him off.

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