Page 59 of Fated Shot

“Can we come in?” Scott’s deep voice asks, though I’m positive I don’t have a choice in this matter. Opening the door wider to allow them to step in, I try to give Penn a look, some sort of signal to convey what the fuck or something, but he refuses to meet my eyes. We all sit uncomfortably on my couch as I wait for some sort of insight into what the hell is happening right now.

Scott starts, breaking the silence.

“Tell me what’s going on.”

I don’t have the energy for this right now. I just want to… I don’t know, actually. Run? Shower? Crawl into bed and wish I’d wake up from this fucking nightmare?

“What do you mean?” I ask, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Based on the expression on their faces, neither seem too pleased with my obvious attempt at blatant avoidance.

“I told him.” Penn lets slip, part irritation and part guilt, still refusing to meet my gaze. Damn. I lower my head, pinching the bridge of my nose between my thumb and index finger. Thisisan intervention.

Scott still doesn’t speak. He’s staring at me like he’s disappointed, and it sucks. In the year we’ve known each other, I’ve seen him make this face at the other boys at least a dozen times. It’s never been directed at me, though. I’ve never done anything fucked up enough to necessitate it. He just stays staring at me, waiting for me to speak first or confess, maybe?

Penn glances at him, brow furrowing as he shakes his head, jaw tensing. He clearly lacks the patience Scott has in spades.

When he can’t hold it in anymore, he bursts out, “You’re risking your career, Jack. Everything we’ve worked our entire lives for. Ijustgot to Toronto. We’refinallyplaying together. We’reliving the dream together and you’d risk all of this? You’d risk getting traded? You’d risk leaving me alone here? You’re my brother, and you’d abandon me just like that? Over some random girl that means nothing?”

I try to focus on his intention, not his words that sting more than he’s ever going to know.Not some random girl.I swallow hard at the broken frustration coming from Penn. I’d never abandon him. I bite my tongue, though.

“You’re such a hypocrite,” he continues, pulling my focus back to him. “Head in the game and stay focused. That’s what you always tell me, right? And now you’re sneaking around, letting your game be dictated by your emotions, getting distracted… You’re going to throw it all away, and for what?”

For her.

I sit silently, letting him get it all out. I deserve it. I never meant for it to go this far, but I just couldn’t control it. I still can’t. It’s like divine fucking intervention, she came into my life, and nothing has been the same since.

Scott outstretches his hand, signaling for Penn to take a breath. He does, clenching his jaw before Scott takes over.

“Listen, we’re not here to judge you.” He makes an obvious warning look at Penn. “It’s just not a good idea, Brody.”

I stare blankly at him. Obviously, I know that. If it were anyone else, we wouldn’t be in this mess. If she were just my Mia, not Coach’s Amelia, I’d be blissfully happy, and everything would be fine. But it can’t be anyone else—it will never be anyone else. If I can’t have her, nothing else will ever matter.

“Look, I know it’s probably exciting—the game of pursuing someone who’s off-limits, the thrill of a forbidden romance—but—” He couldn’t be more wrong.

“It’s not some game,” I interrupt, shaking my head and staring at the floor. “I think I’m falling in love with her,” I admit, the words slipping out before I even realize what I’ve just said.

Penn’s head snaps up at attention when he hears the words. They both stare at me, neither seemingly knowing what to say now. That makes three of us.

“God. None of this fucking matters anyway. She… she doesn’t want to be with me.”

Saying the words out loud feels like my world has come crashing down. Their faces soften as they take in the seriousness and the clear distress in my voice that I’m struggling to hide.

“The guy with Mia? That was her ex,” I say, mostly to Penn, since he was the one actually there. “He’s a piece of shit, verbally abused her their whole relationship, and now he won’t leave her alone.” I pause for a moment, sincerity in my voice. “I didn’t want you to find out like that, but I couldn’t just stand by and watch him ambush her again.”

This time, Penn gives an understanding nod. It’s one thing he does get. If Nancy Brooks drilled anything into us during our adolescence, it’s to use our size for good, to help and protect those we love.

I really don’t know what else to say. There’s nothing to elaborate on, there’s nothing for me to justify, I have nothing left. I have… nothing.

The silence between us stretches out awkwardly until Scott rises to his feet. “Come on, let’s go grab some pizza.”

We follow behind him out into the bright hallway.

Chapter 24

Mia

I’ve had the worst sleep of my entire life.

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