Page 16 of Checks & Bonds

I watched her walk away, her steps quickening as she approached Liam waiting by the bleachers. They exchanged a quick kiss before heading towards the parking lot. The sight made my chest tighten a little, but I brushed it off and turned back to the field.

Practice was winding down. Dan jogged towards the sidelines, his hair damp with sweat and his breath coming in heavy bursts. He glanced at me briefly, a flicker of something crossing his face before he looked away again.

The team dispersed, players grabbing their bags and heading for the locker rooms. Dan lingered for a moment, his gaze fixed on some point in the distance. I took a deep breath and approached him.

"Dan," I called out softly.

He turned slowly, his expression guarded. "Freya."

"We need to talk," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "I don't think we do."

We stood there for a moment in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us like a heavy fog. The wind picked up, rustling the leaves around us and sending a chill down my spine.

"Can we go somewhere?" I suggested.

"I don't think it's a good idea," he said, his voice tight with frustration.

I sucked in a breath, feeling the sting of his words. "Why didn't you tell me? About what Henry did."

Dan scoffed, shaking his head. "You mean when your fiancé came to my dorm and beat the shit out of me? When he threatened to have the school pull me from the team? I don't know, Freya, but I'm sure you can figure it out."

My teeth clenched as anger bubbled inside me. "I could have talked to him."

Dan's laugh was harsh, almost cruel. "You? Freya, are you deaf or blind or both? Henry Mathers told me to stay away from you. Practically broke my nose doing so. I listened."

"So that's it?" I asked, my voice shaking. "It was just so easy to walk away from me?"

"You were never mine," he pointed out, his eyes cold. "Not really."

"That's not true," I protested.

"What then?" he challenged. "You're saying you don't have to marry him?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. I looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

"That's what I thought," he said bitterly. "I never should have gotten involved with you. I should have known better. All you rich girls are the same. You use people to get what you want before you run off to the rich guys."

"Dan, I?—"

"What?" His voice cut through me like a knife. "You what, Freya? Did you ever think for one second you were going to be more than… than this?"

My eyes stung, tears threatening to spill over. I blinked furiously, trying to keep my composure. "Dan, please?—"

"Don't fucking speak to my fiancée that way."

The cold, menacing voice came from behind us. My body went rigid as I turned around. There stood Henry, his presence imposing and unwavering.

He looked every bit the part of the perfect fiancé. His chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes could have belonged to a Greek god. Dark hair swept back with an effortless charm that belied his ruthless nature. He wore the tailored uniform that fithim like a second skin, accentuating his broad shoulders and powerful frame.

"Henry," I whispered, my voice trembling.

His gaze never left Dan as he stepped forward. "Is there a problem here?"

Dan's face hardened. "Nothing I can't handle."

Henry's lips curled into a cold smile. "I think you've handled enough for today."

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