Page 136 of The Problem with Players

Nathan

Yeah. Is everything okay?

Avery

Everything’s good.

Nathan

Okay. I’ll see you afterward.

Avery

Yeah. All right.

I headed back to school for the remainder of the day, and afterward, I headed to the apartment complex to sign the lease. That took some time, then I headed back to Nathan’s place and began to pack my suitcases. I needed to get out of that place and away from him as soon as possible. My heart couldn’t take much more breaking. I was reaching the point where I had little to nothing left.

Unfortunately, I didn’t end up packing fast enough because Nathan showed up early from practice to find me about to walk out with my suitcases.

He arched an eyebrow. “Avery. What are you doing?”

I blinked a few times and shook my head. “I signed a newapartment lease. I should be able to move in next week, but for the time being, I’m going to go stay with my dad.”

His brows narrowed as confusion swirled in his eyes. “Wait, what? You’re leaving?”

“We knew this arrangement was temporary, Nathaniel. I was always going to get an apartment,” I said as I started to walk toward the front door.

He stepped in front of me, tossing his hands up in confusion. “Wait, I’m sorry, slow down. You’re acting weird.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. Why didn’t you tell me you were signing a lease?”

“Since when do I have to tell you everything I do?” I snipped at him.

“You don’t, but…” He shook his head. “This just feels like I’m being blindsided a bit.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Isn’t that a shitty feeling?”

His brows knitted. “What’s that supposed to mean? What’s going on, Avery?”

“Nothing,” I argued. “I’m just leaving.”

“Why would you stay at your father’s place instead of staying here for the week before moving in? Why would you even want to leave? I don’t get it.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t get why I had to hear about you getting offered a position at Prest University from Cameron. Then again, I guess that’s what we do. Keep shit to ourselves.”

His eyes grew somber as the reality of the situation settled in. “Shit.”

“Yeah. Shit,” I echoed. “Please move.”

“Listen, Avery…I didn’t know Cameron even knew about the offer. He misspoke.”

“Doubtful. He made it very clear that it would be great having you as his coach when he headed off to Prest. I thinkthis is great. I think it’s great that I had to hear it from a student instead of from you,” I sarcastically remarked.

“I was going to tell you…”

“Why not last night? Did it slip your mind when you were fucking me against your dining room table? Did it somehow go forgotten while you fucked me in the shower and told me you loved me?”

---