Page 52 of The Comeback

My knuckles explode with pain when I slam my fist through the wall, but it’s good. Takes my mind off this other pain I never expected.

“What the hell, man. What did you do to that girl?”

It’s Cole. He’s still sitting on the couch, tapping away on the laptop. I barely know the guy and he’s judging me. Anger takes over my judgment.

“You’re one to talk. Didn’t you get kicked off your last team for kicking another teammates ass? Why are you even here, Cole? We don’t need someone like you on the team.” The words taste bitter even as I say them. It’s not his fault Abby left.

A brief flash of something passes over his face before he shuts down. “Yeah, you’re right. I don’t belong here. But looks like we’re stuck with each other.”

I’m both happy and pissed when he leaves the room. After all my talk of working together as a team I knew better and I still lashed out. Add fucking over the team to my list of fuckups.

Cold air lashes at me when I open the front door. Pain radiates through my bare feet as they pound the icy ground, but there’s no sign of her. She’s gone. I may never know how she got out of here that fast, because I’m probably never going to see her again.

Chapter 39

Abby

Acidsendsatrailof flames my churning gut, and my head is pounding. He needs to go back in the house before my Uber gets here. What would that look like? Passed out behind a tree, heartbroken.

“Fab!” His voice is pitched with desperation.

He’s roaming the driveway in nothing but his black boxer briefs and a fitted tee. He’s going to lose some toes if he doesn’t go back inside.

If I can resist a nearly naked Sebastian crying that name out to me than I’ll make it. Right? I can get past this.

I’m teetering on the edge of a cliff, about to fall off back into his arms when he finally gives up, rubbing a hand through his hair and returning inside. I let myself go, falling back against the tree, and wait for my getaway car.

***

“Absolutely Fabulous!” Ree calls out, laughing and stumbling through our apartment door.

I blink blurry eyes trying to bring myself back to reality. I can only imagine what I look like. Sprawled on the floor, balled up pieces of paper scattered around, notebook sitting on top of the keyboard in my lap. I slide my headphones off, slinging them around my neck so I can hear her better.

“Want a drink?” One leg crosses in front of the other as she tries to walk but ends up crumpling in a heap of laughing angles on the floor, one arm thrown over her face.

“Pretty sure you’ve had enough there, Ree.”

“You’re right. I’m drunk! Drunk, drunk, drunk.” She giggles.

“You usually don’t drink this much. Anything going on?” Ree is usually careful. Careful to look perfect when she leaves the house. Careful to not drink too much when she’s out in public. It’s like she’s curating her perfect image for when lands her perfect role and his the A List. I say when not if because if anyone was destined to make it in Hollywood it’s Aurelia. She oozes charisma.

“Boys are stupid.”

“Awww, what happened? I clear a little bit of space and crawl over to her.

Her black hair is smooth under my hand, and she leans into it like a cat when you’re trying to work. “S’nothing. Just..” She’s cut off by a gaping yawn. “How bout you? How’s your hot hockey player?”

“Stupid.”

That gets her attention. She pushes up into a slightly wobbly sitting position. “Was he mean to you? Let me get my bat. Wait I don’t have a bat.” She dissolves into giggles again.

“And all of humanity breathes a sigh of relief.” I resume petting her head, seeking comfort as much as I’m giving it. “I finished my song. Plus two more, maybe a third if I can just get this hook right.”

“You did? Sing it to me?” Perfect white teeth peek through her big goofy grin.

I hesitate. It’s still so fresh, raw, like I just gave birth to it and I’m not sure if it’s ready to take to its feet yet. I am going to have to sing it in front of a bunch of people though. Added bonus. She’s not going to remember this in the morning.

“Pleeeeeaaase.”

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