Page 34 of The Backup

“Oh, come on. You know I had a breakup,” he snaps, frustration bubbling to the surface. “I just want to know who she’s with now. It’s ridiculous, the stuff this girl put me through. And then…fuck. I shouldn’t be telling you this, but she calls me, and some fucking guy gets on the phone and says, ‘She’s busy.’ Do you believe that shit?”

My jaw tightens, the memory of that moment flashing in my mind. I force myself to stay calm, even as his words claw at something primal inside me. “Well, you’re an asshole, man,” I say, my tone steady but edged. “And not the good, boundary-setting kind.”

He glares at me. “What the hell does that mean?”

I hold up my hands, feigning innocence. “It means I think I should stay out of your business.”

His expression darkens, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “You’ve been coming for my position all summer, haven’t you?” he says, stepping closer. “At training camp, studying all the defenses, making yourself look good. Planning to fuck me over.”

I don’t mean to laugh, but the absurdity of his accusation gets the better of me. A short, sharp laugh escapes before I can stop it.

“Oh, this is funny now?” he spits, his fists clenching.

“I gave you a playbook every week, Joe,” I say, my voice calm but firm. “You don’t even read it. That’s on you. Don’t act like I’m some traitor. Fuck off, man.”

For a moment, he just stares at me, his face a mask of anger and confusion. Then he shakes his head, muttering something under his breath as he stalks back to the couch.

I don’t wait to see what he does next. I head upstairs, my steps heavy on the creaking wood. Once in my room, I close the door and lean against it, exhaling a long breath.

Even as exhaustion tugs at me, sleep feels like a distant dream. My thoughts are still tangled with the taste of her, the feel of her body against mine, the sound of her laughter under the stars. And despite everything—Joe’s accusations, the tension simmering in the house—I feel more alive than I have in years.

Sliding into bed, I stare at the ceiling, the faint glow of my phone on the nightstand casting soft shadows. Tomorrow’s game looms large, but tonight, my mind is only on her.

And her taste is still on my lips.

ten

. . .

Sloane

My phone buzzeson the nightstand, jolting me from a light doze. I stretch out under the covers, the warmth of last night still lingering on my skin. The stars, the wine, the kiss—it all feels like a dream I don’t want to wake from. My lips curve into a smile, but the sharp beep of another notification pulls me back to reality.

I groan, rolling over to grab my phone. A text from Jacklyn lights up the screen.

Jacks: Where are you? Game’s starting soon. Meet us at the bar.

I sigh, reluctantly throwing the covers off. The thought of a bar packed with football fans is less than appealing, especially with the memory of last night swirling in my head. But I know Jacklyn—if I don’t show up, she’ll come banging on my door with no mercy.

By the time I get there, the bar is buzzing with life. The background noise of excited chatter and the clink of glasses make it feel like the entire campus has crammed into one room.I spot Jacklyn waving me over to a high-top table in the back. There’s already a drink waiting for me.

“Hey, superstar,” she teases, her eyes glinting with mischief as I slide onto the stool.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Nothing,” she says, her smirk widening. “You just look…extra chipper today. So, spill.”

I roll my eyes, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. “You’re imagining things.”

Before she can press me, Brian appears with a couple of his friends in tow. His smile is tight, his eyes scanning me like he’s putting together a puzzle.

“Sloane,” he says, leaning casually against the table. “Late night?”

My stomach flips, but I keep my expression neutral. “Not really.”

“Funny,” one of his friends pipes up, a smug grin spreading across his face. “I could’ve sworn I saw you getting into Asher’s truck last night.”

The words land like a grenade, and suddenly, it feels like the entire bar has gone quiet. My face burns, the heat spreading all the way to the tips of my ears. I glance at Jacklyn, whose expression remains perfectly composed.

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