Page 97 of The Playbook

“Fuck.” I raked my fingers through my hair. “She won’t talk to me. Not even afuck you.”

“I think she gave you thefuck youwhen she slapped you,” Dax said, clapping me on the shoulder.

The bell rang, signaling the end to our little get-together, so I shuffled off to class, my head down as people jostled past me.

By lunchtime, I was a mess. The rumors were flying. Everything from what the guys said, to Andy and me switching girls, to Grace being pregnant and missing school because the stress wasn’t good for our baby.

“How’s Matthews’s pussy?” Dean Phillips from the basketball team called out as I left the lunchroom alone after not bothering to eat.

“What the fuck did you say?” I snarled, stalking toward him.

“I asked how Matthews’s pussy was. And if you’re done with it, can I give it a go?”

My fist slammed into his jaw like a tidal wave, sending him flying back into the lockers behind him. His friends jumped aside as I dove on him and began punching anything I could get to.

Within moments, I was being hauled back, my chest heaving.

“Enough. Stop. Logan, man. Enough.” Ryan’s deep voice brought me back to reality.

“I’m done. I’m done,” I said, giving up as he held me.

It took me a minute to realize Noah was with him and had a hold of me too. Lana was watching in horrified silence.

“Sorry,” I muttered to her for God knows what reason before I stepped away. Dean’s friends helped him to his feet as he wiped his nose.

“You’re an asshole,” Dean spat at me. “Fucking psycho.”

“Dean. Leave. I won’t stop him if he punches you in the face again,” Ryan warned.

Dean scowled but let his friends lead him away.

“It doesn’t matter what people say, you need to control your shit,” Ryan said to me.

“Have you heard the bullshit going around?” I demanded. “None of it’s true. You guys were there that night at Lana’s. I didn’t fuck Grace that night. I never forced her into sex like people are saying. I’dneverhurt her—”

“But you did,” Lana said, glaring at me. “You lied and hurt her. You fucking cheated on her with Nikki of all people—”

“Idid notcheat on Grace,” I snarled. “I didn’t.”

“We saw the video,” Noah said softly.

I ground my teeth. “Nikki said if I kissed her one last time she’d leave Grace alone. She said she wouldn’t tell her about the playbook. I was so fucking scared,” my voice turned into a low whisper. “I-I didn’t want to lose Grace.”

“Well, I think you would’ve had a better chance keeping her if you weren’t a lying sack of shit,” Lana snapped.

“Lana, please. I know you’re mad, but I’m begging you to help me. Please. I love Grace. I want her. Just please help me. Get her to just talk to me and let me explain.”

Lana scoffed.

“Lana, you know how happy she was. I want to get the chance to do that for her again. I love Grace with everything I am. Anything I did was because I wanted to protect her.”

“You wanted to protect yourself,” Lana said. “Because being honest was too damn hard. What you did is inexcusable, Logan. I’m not going to help you get Grace back. I spent all day with her yesterday. She doesn’t want you anymore. Go back to Nikki.” Lana didn’t wait for me to beg again. She turned and stormed away.

“Lana is right,” Noah said. “Grace is upset. If I were you, I’d just lay low for a while. She needs time.”

“Do you think she’ll talk to me after?” I asked hopefully. “I don’t want us to be over.”

Noah sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know, man. She’s really hurt and upset. Like I said, give it time, but my promise stands. If you don’t stay away from her like she asks, it’ll be you on the floor getting your ass beat.”

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