Page 35 of His Team

Will my parents want me to move out now that they’re separating? How do I stop all of this from happening? There are so many questions without answers.

I glance around my room, trying to find an answer to at least one question. Nothing, I find nothing. Instead, anger fills me, and I jump up to toss the pillows from my bed.

What’s the point in everything looking perfect when it’s not. Everything is far from perfect. Everything I thought I had is now slipping away, my boyfriend, my friends, my family.

Everyone is too busy to hang out, no one has time to talk on the phone. I feel so stupid for not having a solid plan for after high school.

Once the room is fully wrecked, I drop to my knees and gasp for air. What have I done? When I close my eyes, I can’t see anything pass my night with Jareil.

Is this my punishment for sleeping with him? We’ve spoken a few times on the phone, but I feel guilty every time we do, so I stopped answering his calls.

My phone lights up somewhere underneath all the blankets and tossed pillows and sheets. I scramble to try to get to it, hoping it’s someone I can talk to in order to make this all make sense.

When I find it, I frown and sag in my spot on the floor. It’s only my alarm for my hair appointment tomorrow. I wonder if Sasha would hire me as an assistant; she’s always talking about how she needs one.

My lips tremble as big, fat tears cling to my lashes and spill down my cheeks. I miss my friends. This is something I would go to Cam about or sit down with Kota and come up with ideas.

“I don’t want to be alone,” I sob.

I open my phone and pull up Cam’s number. I really need to talk to him. When is he going to get over all of what happened? It’s never been this long before.

My heart breaks when his number goes to voicemail. It’s the same thing every time. This has been going on for the last month.

I only meant for us to take a break for a few weeks. The only reason I haven’t gone to the apartment is because my mama told me to let Cam come to me. Well, she’s getting a divorce, so I don’t really think her advice is the best.

“Screw this,” I growl.

I jump up to find my shoes and head out. However, as I go to storm from the room, my phone rings. Thinking it’s Cam calling me back, I answer without looking at the caller ID.

“Hello,” I sniffle.

“Kayleen? Are you all right?”

“JR.” I sink to the floor in defeat. I really fucked things up with Cam. “No, I’m not. Can I call you back later?”

“You can, or you could talk to me and let me help,” he says.

My heart skips a beat from his voice. I want to accept his offer. I cover my face with my hand as I begin to sob some more.

I want to talk to him and forget everything happening in my life. I open my mouth, but there’s a knock on my door. I bite back my sobs and shake my head.

JR’s family is perfect. I can’t talk to him about this.

“I’ll call you back. I promise,” I whisper.

Cameron

“It sounds like you boys are settling just fine,” Daddy says as we sit around the table having dinner at our parents’ house.

They just got back from God knows where. I’ve lost track of all the places they’ve been this year. If they’re not in one place, they’re in another. It all sounds the same to me at this point.

“We are. The team is great, and Coach Snider thinks we’ll both start this year,” Caleb says.

Daddy gives him a proud smile. If I’m honest, Caleb has been doing great. Better than we expected he would in just a month.

His grades are amazing, as always, and his focus on the team has improved with each day. He has overcome any obstacles quickly. Our teammates love him and go to him for pointers all the time.

An adjustment here and there and it’s all been smooth sailing. No one has asked why Kota and I are always around him;it’s just become the norm. Doesn’t hurt that our cousin is hot, and guys can’t keep their eyes off her.

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