Page 41 of Fated Shot

The words hit me in my gut, like a truth I’ve been avoiding. I look away, swallowing hard, trying to process it all. “It-it always just felt like something I could deal with on my own. It wasn’talways bad and—” I shut my mouth, taking an intentioned breath. Stop. Defending. Him.

“After the game, he said he wanted to apologize for everything—for what he said and did—but he obviously didn’t take any accountability, so I stormed out and, yeah, that just about catches you up."

“I’m sorry you had to go through all that.” He pauses. “Why don’t you just tell your parents the truth? I seriously doubt they’d be extending free tickets if they knew.”

“He cheated on me because he was bored of me. Said it was because I’m boring,” I state flatly. Part of me knows it’s not true—it wasn’t my fault—but that doesn’t stop the constant nagging from the part of me that still believes his words.

“It’s so embarrassing. I’m just ashamed of the whole situation, and I wasn’t ready to share that with anyone right now, let alone my parents.”

“I’m not talking about the cheating, Mia. How he treats you is not okay.” I let the words settle for a moment.

“Hold up, he said you were boring in bed?”

I slap my hand over my eyes. Oh my god, kill me now.

“That’s all you got?That’swhat you gathered from this whole conversation? Nothing else from my messy life?”

Clearly ignoring my rebuttal, he continues. “That’s why you were nervous, eh? Why you sent me out that night?” he says, standing up to set Bean down on the couch.

When he returns, he gently grabs hold of my wrists, guiding my hands down to reveal my obviously blazing cheeks.

“He’s a fucking liar. I haven’t been able to get the image of you riding me out of my head all day, I don’t think I ever will.”

I can’t even try to meet his eyes.

“What he said earlier, Mia. Is it true?” I was hoping he was out of earshot and didn’t catch that part. Being accused ofhaving a crush feels so juvenile, but realizing that Jack might have overheard it makes my cheeks burn even more.

When I don’t respond, he arches his head down, a gentle kiss touching my lips. “It’s a fucking shame, you know, him getting in your head like that,” he says in a whisper, warm breath engulfing me as I feel my pulse starting to race.

One hand grazing my jaw with his rough palm, he dips to whisper in my ear.

“We’re just going to have to work on building your confidence back up.”

A shiver of excitement shoots down my spine, every ounce of fear, embarrassment, and shame dissipating as my body tingles with anticipation of his next move.

“I volunteer my body for practice ‘cus I have a fucking crush on you too, Mia.”

Chapter 18

Mia

It takes me a second to remember to breathe after his words reverberate in my ears. I know I’m just staring up at him, but I can’t stop because, well, my brain has officially become goo.

I’m pretty sure Jack Brody just offered to let me use him as my own personal practice dummy. Not entirely sure how we got to this turn of events, but I can’t say I’m complaining.

“I—” I start, immediately slamming my mouth shut.Blink. Breathe. OK, now speak, Mia, words.

“I—I need to shower,” I say in a panic as I squirm out of his grasp and nearly jog to the bathroom. Okay, at least those are actual words. I slam the door shut, looking myself over in the mirror.

Get it together.

Thankfully, a shower is exactly what I need to get my head back on straight. I didn’t have a chance to last night, obviously, and was in no mood this morning either. I turn the shower handle to warm as I return to the sink splashing cold water on my face.

Grabbing my phone from my legging pocket, I scroll through my contacts until I find Sebastian Brown. Enough is enough. He’s already taken three years of my life—I’m not giving him another second.

Me:I won’t let you takeadvantage of my kindness anymore. I’m done. Goodbye, Sebastian.

I hit send, then block his number. Peeling out of my clothes, I finally step into the shower, allowing it to wash away every emotion from earlier.

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