Page 19 of What if I Told You

“So really you meant I can sleep here, but if I want to do any kind of living, which may or may not include a relationship with someone, or God forbid, sex of any kind, I better do it somewhere else.”

“Listen Ella, I?—”

I can feel my heartrate rising with every passing second. “What happens when one of your teammates falls madly in love with me, huh? What then?”

My challenge amuses him. “Right. Like that’s going to happen.”

I shift back a step, my mouth hanging open. “Oh, so now I’m not good enough for your teammates?”

His smile fades, his brows pinch, and he shakes his head. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. Why are you getting all?—”

“You know, I’m not really liking where this conversation is going.” I raise my hand to stop him from saying anything else. The last thing I want to do is fight with my best friend on my first day here.

“Ella.” He steps toward me but I take another step back again.

“No. I get it. I hear you. Loud and clear.”

Resigning himself, he pushes his hand through his mussed hair, fumbling his words. “Look if you…sleep with whoever you want. It’s none of my business but?—”

“That’s right. It’s none of your business, but alright. I’ll play by your rules, August. So, just so you know, when I don’t come home one night it’s because I’m obviously out having the best fuck of my life.”

“Ella.”

“I’m tired from traveling. And I have a big day tomorrow.”

We didn’t even get to talk about my interview. It’s fine though. I’ll be fine. Everything’s fine.

“I’m going to bed.”

Frustrated and disappointed.

“Ella.”

“Good night, August.”

I rarely call him August.

He’s always been Auggie to me.

It actually hurts to walk away from him as I head to my room and shut the door. Leaning against it, I inhale a deep breath and release it slowly.

Maybe we’re both tired.

Maybe we have to get through a few growing pains after moving in.

Maybe this won’t be as easy as either of us thought.

I just hope it’s all worth it.

CHAPTER FIVE

AUGUST

Ididn’t sleep a fucking wink.

I’ve been in the gym downstairs since five and even that wasn’t enough so here I am pounding the pavement before the sun even comes up.

I don’t like the way I left things with Ella last night. I don’t like that she was upset and I don’t like that I had to watch her walk away from me when really, I should have been her biggest supporter. I don’t even know where our conversation went wrong. One minute we were talking about the team and the next minute I’m a male whore who won’t allow my best friend out of her room to socialize.

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