Page 65 of Never You

He keeps quiet for a moment while I tighten my grip around my phone, the anger now feeling like a firecracker up my ass, ready to take off.

“I don’t care about the money! I’m the best defender in the league right now, Kay. You find me a team in a different Division, or I’m going to find myself a different agent!”

He sighs through the phone, but I shake my head, even though he can’t see me refusing to budge.

“Come on, you’re being an asshole, Jensen.”

Slamming my fist on the wheel, the fire bursts inside of me. “Watch me be an asshole if you don’t find me a different team!” I roar, then I hang up the phone, letting the device fall in my lap.

No fucking way am I going to play in the Metropolitan Division, no matter how much they’ll offer me. I’ll be signing my life away, and that’s not going to happen.

Not now.

Notever.

“Bad news?” I spin my head to Rae, who’s cautiously eying me.

“That was my agent.” I run my hand through my tousled hair. “All East Coast teams.”

She nods her head, then places her hand on my arm, trying to comfort me.

“That sucks, but it’s only been four days. There will probably be more.”

Her gentle touch seems to calm me down, and my frustration is getting pushed to the back of my head. When she squeezes my bicep, a tug lifts the corner of my mouth.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Calm the fuck down, Jensen.She’s right. I haven’t even announced my departure. If the world finds out I’m looking for a new club, I’m sure more will make me an offer. But it doesn’t stop the ounce of fear I have from growing, wondering if I made the wrong choice.

“Well, and if that’s not the case... you can always just go into witness protection.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s only for when you testify against a criminal.”

“You have money,” she huffs, flipping her hair. “You can make it happen.”

I start the car, laughing. “Shut up, dork.”

“Just saying.” Her shoulders shrug, before propping her legs on the dash and opening the bag of gummy bears in her lap.

“I don’t buy it, you know?” She eyes me with suspicion as she brazenly purses her lips before popping a gummy in her mouth.

“Buy what?” I ask, curious.

Pointing at me, she moves her hand up and down. “This. You.”

“What about me?” Amused, my eyes widen.

“Your wholeassholeattitude. I think it’s one big act. A way to keep everyone at bay. But deep down, you’re a good guy.”

I snort.

“You are!” she bellows. “I can see it when you talk about your sister. You love her. Your brother too. They mean the world to you.”

“Of course, they do. They are my siblings.”

“Na-ah. You can hide it from me. But I see it. I see you, Jared James Jensen.”

It’s not even a question. It’s a statement. One that makes my heart expand, even though I’m trying to keep it as small as possible, making sure no one can step on it. But somehow, she hits her target with just three words.I see you.

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