Page 53 of Power Play

I nod, shoving my hands deep in my pockets and balling my fists.

“Then…how about you and Clay? You should’ve heard him talking about your future together. He’s so excited, planning how you’ll visit each other, how he’ll fly you out for his games. The dude has it so bad for you. He loves you.”

“It would’ve been better if he’d asked me what I want instead of building all these castles in the air.”

“What do you mean? I thought that’s what you want too.”

“Ha.” I snort, shaking my head. “What I want is not to be dumped by my famous, successful boyfriend in the middle of the school year.”

Clear confusion clouds her features; a worried expression is etched on her face. She leans in, our noses almost touching. “Are you high?”

“I told you, I drank a bottle of vodka.” I push myself away from the wall, forcing her to take a step back. “Not all of us are going to move in with our hockey boyfriends, keep an eye on them, and make sure they’re not sneaking around with someone else.”

“Usually, I’d have lost my temper already because what you’re saying is mean, but I’m trying to do better because you’re clearly not thinking straight.” Ava seethes, her nostrils flaring as she glares at me from under knitted eyebrows. “Clay loves you. He wouldn’t cheat on you.”

“Did you forget how you two met? Wasn’t he in your dorm room, fucking your roommate with Thompson?”

“And?”

“And?! Ava, he is a thousand times more experienced than I am. He loves sex. You think he’s going to stay loyal to me when there will be a ton of girls clinging to him and fighting for his attention? He’ll be in the fucking NHL, with money, fame, and beautiful girls surrounding him all the time, and I’ll be here, in college, for two more years.”

Ava hides her face in her palms, then slowly drags them down. When her gaze collides with mine, I see how disturbed she is.

“You could transfer to a school in Chicago to be closer to him,” she tells me. Her voice is quiet but stern. “Any relationship is work. You can’t expect him to do all of it while you complain about him pursuing his career. It’s not fair. You have to meet him halfway.”

“I don’t need him to do all the work. Actually, I’m going to make it so much easier for him. He’ll thank me later.”

“Layla, no. Think it through. You’re going to regret this.”

“I highly doubt it. I’ve thought it through. I’m saving myself from heartbreak and disappointment.”

“You’re just being a coward.”

My eyes flare at her, and I clench my jaw.

“So afraid of some hypothetical breakup that you’re going to give up on a guy who’s ready to worship the fucking ground you walk on.”

“I’m not a coward. And I’m not afraid.”

I so fucking am.

Ava narrows her eyes, sniffing the air and then snarling. “You smell like fear. I can feel it on you.” Her words slap me in the face, and I recoil, feeling my skin burn. “You’re so afraid of something that hasn’t even happened that you’re letting your cowardice win. You can’t live your life to the fullest when you’re constantly looking around, afraid of things that shouldn’t even be your concern.” She grabs my hands and makes me look at her. “Clay loves you. He doesn’t need anyone else.”

The setting sun colors the trees of the nearby forest into a darker shade of emerald-green. It’s quiet and peaceful outside. The only sound that reaches us is the music coming from the house, where the guys and some of their girlfriends are hanging out. A gust of wind caresses my body like a feather, cooling off my blazing skin and giving me a quick relief.

“But I don’t love him,” I tell her. Something inside me breaks as the words full of lies leave my mouth. “I’ve wanted to break up with him for months. But the sex was too good, and I was selfish. That’s the only reason I stayed.”

Ava is so stunned, her hands drop off me as I take a step back. “Layla, please,” she pleads. “Let’s wait until tomorrow, okay? We will talk it through, you and I.”

“I’ve made my decision.” I wipe my sweaty hands on the skirt of my dress and head into the house. When I’m near the door, I turn to her and ask, “Will you take me home?”

Ava hesitates, watching me closely, but then she nods. “I’ll be waiting for you in Colt’s car.”

Without another word, and while I can still stomach the conversation, I stroll farther into the house that Drake and a few of his teammates rented. It’s time to put an end to this.

I find him on the first try. Clay is sitting on the couch, a controller in his hand. His glassy gaze is glued to the TV as he plays some game. Walking closer, I glance at the screen, realizing it’s basketball. Jace Dixon, another goalie on Clay’s team, is snoring on the couch beside him.

Clearing my throat, I draw Clay’s attention to me. He smiles; an easy grin spreads across his face. He tosses the controller onto the couch and reaches for me, intending to catch my arm, but I pull away and fold my hands behind my back.

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