Page 106 of The Love You Win

I had no idea they’d win a date for me with a rich professional athlete. Talk about luck, right?

God, I’ve been so stupid. So fucking blind and stupid. I should have known all of this was too good to be true. I should have known that the real reason Isla was upset about our change of plans this past weekend was because it meant she’d miss her time in the spotlight. It meant one less chance to publicly claim her rich NHL player boyfriend.

I don’t register a single thing but the sharp sting of betrayal as I lurch out of the school and toward my car. I’m so lost in my head and gone to the pain that I don’t even remember how I get home.

As I stumble into my apartment, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and stare at the screen as my insides scream.

Isla

I miss you.

I throw my phone across the room with a guttural roar. By some miracle, it doesn’t break.

Me? I’m not so lucky.

forty-eight

ISLA

I hate him. I hate Alex. I’m full of so much rage that I flay him alive with my eyes while I manage to keep my voice flat and lifeless. I want him to understand how stupid everything he’s saying is. How much I think he’s an idiot.

So I intone words I don’t mean while I roll my eyes and glare. I tell Alex lie after ridiculous lie while I mock him with my eyes.

“I’ll admit it. At first, I didn’t think things would go anywhere with Maddox. He didn’t seem all that interested. But with a little luck and some meddling from Jess and Nev, I managed to get his attention. And you’re right. He’s rich. Way richer than you could ever hope to be. And unlike you, he makes me come. That’s all a girl needs, isn’t it? Money and a big dick? I should thank you for dumping me. If you hadn’t, I never would have landed such a lucrative catch.”

I roll my eyes again and stand with my arms crossed over my chest. It makes me nauseous to even voice such disgusting lies, but Alex needs to understand how absolutely ridiculous his assertions are. I glare at the self-centered asshole I wasted too many years on. He’s silent. Fuming.

Alex shifts his weight from one foot to the other, trying to decide how to respond. He clearly didn’t expect me to act like this. I’ll bet he thought I’d throw myself at his feet and beg him for a second chance.

Moron.

The silence stretches on. I’ve had enough. “Maddox Graves is ten million times the man you’ll ever be, Alex. I wouldn’t care if he was broke and waited tables for a living. I don’t give a shit about his fame or his money. Because I’m not a soulless, selfish, grasping little weasel like you.”

Alex’s jaw ticks. His face flushes a deep, angry red. “You’re such a bitch.”

I bark out a harsh laugh. “He’d also never call me a name like that.”

My ex rolls his eyes.

“It’s time for you to leave. Get the hell out of my classroom and get the hell out of my life. I never want to see your face or hear from you again, understand? I’m done with you.” I point to the door. “Goodbye, Alex. And good riddance.”

“You’ll regret this,” Alex snarls, snatching the mocha he brought me from my desk and hurling it into the trash. The lid pops off and thick, brown liquid splatters across the side of my desk.

“I regret wasting even a single moment on you,” I reply. “But kicking you out of my life for good? I’ll never regret that. Fuck off and have the life you deserve.”

With another inarticulate snarl, Alex stomps out of my classroom. When I’m sure he’s gone, I sink into my chair. My hands shake as the adrenaline leaves my body and I sit in stunned silence for a few minutes.

I can’t believe that just happened. I never thought Alex would have the nerve to show up here and pull a stunt like that.

My mind turns to Maddox. I wish he was here. What I would give to have him pull me into a tight hug right about now… With shaking fingers, I pick up my phone and tap on our text thread. I debate calling him. I want to tell him everything. But after a few moments of consideration, decide against it. Maddox has been stressed, and I know he’s feeling pressured to perform by his coach, his teammates, and the fans. I don’t want to throw him off before their game tomorrow. Especially not when I took care of things. It’s not like there’s anything he can do about it either way.

No, I’ll wait until after their game tomorrow to tell him what happened. Plus, it will give me some time to calm down and sort through my feelings.

My fingers fly across the screen. I can’t tell Maddox what happened with Alex just yet, but I crave that connection with him. It’s a quick text, but it’ll have to hold me over until he stops by tonight and I can throw myself into his arms.

The bell rings as I hit send, and students fill the hallways.

Me

---