Page 21 of Penalized Love

Asher flinches at my words, his face falling. “I know I messed up and I should have explained myself better. I should have?—”

“Save it,” I snap, holding up a hand. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. You made your choice, and I’ve moved on. That includes not hearing the shit that you’re about to spew.”

The lie falls off my tongue with ease. I haven’t moved on, if my reaction to him is any indication. But Asher doesn’t need toknow that. He doesn’t deserve to know the truth of how I feel or how much he hurt me.

Asher looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. Instead, his eyes search mine. For what, I’m not sure. Forgiveness? He’s about to get an answer he won’t like because he won’t find that here. Not anymore.

“I’m sorry,” he finally says. “That is what I should say first. I’m sorry for everything and I never meant to hurt you.”

A harsh laugh drips from my lips. “Well, you did a bang-up job of that, didn’t you? Congratulations.”

Why am I wasting my time talking to him? I have other things I could be doing. What’s funny about this situation is that I’d rather be back in my dorm room with Tessa than have to deal with this.

I shake my head, clearing the fog in my head so I can address the man in front of me with a rational mind. “Your apology means nothing to me. You are a fucking coward and chose the easy way out. Nothing you can say or do will change what you did. So fuck you and get over it because I have.”

With that, I turn on my heel, not giving Asher another chance to respond. I can’t bear to hear another word from him. My heart is slamming around in my chest as I push through the doors labeled ‘Exit.’

Of all the people to run into today, it had to be him. The universe must have it out for me. First the interview, and now this confrontation with my ex-boyfriend is the cherry on top.

I hop into my car and slam the door closed, shutting out the rest of the world. I take several deep breaths with my hands on the steering wheel because I’m barely holding on. Once I collect myself somewhat, I pull out my phone and shoot a text to Selene.

Me: Hey, you free? I need to vent.

Her response comes almost immediately.

Selene: For you, always. Want to grab lunch?

Me: Perfect.

Thank goodness.

I start my car and pull out of my parking spot. I need something to go right today because there’s no way I’m falling for whatever Asher is selling again.

9

ASHER

I’d entered the arena feeling confident about whatever Coach wanted to talk to me about. As I walk to his office now, I feel stressed out even more.

Seeing Isla tore through me like a sledgehammer. At first, I believed I was looking at a ghost because Isla had stated that she would never return to Crestwood University’s campus as long as I was there.

Neither one of us can keep our promises, apparently.

However, I don’t blame her on that front.

I can’t figure out how I should feel or what to make of what just happened. It was almost like an out-of-body experience. Questions swirl through my mind as I focus on trying to comprehend the last few minutes of my life and how it feels like my entire world has shifted.

What the hell is she doing here? And why?

This isn’t what I should be thinking about as I walk down the hallway to Coach’s office.

Memories of the part of the summer we spent together when I stayed with the Johnson family flash through my mind with every step I take. Nostalgia can be an asshole because all I canthink about is how we’d had the time of our lives until I fucked it up.

At least I’ve confirmed that I saw her on campus the other day. Part of me wishes she’d been a mirage because the churning in my gut wouldn’t be as obnoxious.

As I approach Coach’s door, I swear the air rushes out of my lungs as I try to push the images of Isla out of my mind. I pause with my fist poised to knock on the door when I hear the voice of Bailey, our PR manager.

“We think she’s the perfect fit for the team photographer position. Isla’s portfolio is impressive, and her passion and love for photography is obvious.”

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