Page 115 of How to Score Off Field

His expression softens as if he hadn’t considered that before.

“You took money and sold a story about your sister not thinkin’ for one second about the shitstorm that might follow. And when I say shitstorm, I’m not talking about Drew being pissed. I’m talkin’ about haters and trolls sending me messages and emails and driving past my apartment at school. And kids on campus are calling me a gold digger. It’s been humiliating.”

And horrible for the baby.

The baby.

“The poor thing, I’ve been so wrapped up in the drama and media circus that I haven’t had time to enjoy the moment properly. Did you even know I didn’t know I could get pregnant? Doctors told me I had a slim chance, so the fact that…” My hand is on my stomach. “You stole the happy news from me. I couldn’t even tell Mom and Dad first.”

I glare at him, wanting himoutof the apartment.

I’m anxious for Drew to get here and don’t want them to see one another.

What a freaking disaster that would be.

“Tess.” My brother looks stricken. "Tess, I didn't mean for things to happen like this. I thought putting it out there might force you two to confront the situation."

That is the stupidest logic I’ve ever heard.

What an idiot.

I shake my head, feeling a surge of frustration and sadness. "Confronting the situation is one thing, Grady. Ruining any chance of a future between us is another."

He rubs his temples, his smirk fading. "I messed up, okay? I see that now. But I don’t want us to be…I don’t want you to hate me.”

Too late.

I glare at him, my patience wearing thin. "And how exactly do you propose we salvage this mess? Huh? You’ve already threatened to beat the shit out of Drew a few times."

His jaw clenches.

I frown at him. "I can't shake the feeling that everything's changed, that there's no going back."

“You know what Nona used to say. You make your bed; you have to lie in it.”

I state, shocked, “Did you not just say you don’t want things between us to be horrible? You don’t want me to hate you, yet this is a funny way to show it.”

“What do you want from me? Huh?”

“Oh my god—get out. All you’ve done is make this about you. I do not need this right now.”

The door to Miranda’s apartment is still wide open, and a figure fills the doorway, a duffel bag at his side.

Drew drops it to the ground, eyes going back and forth between Grady and me.

His sudden arrival fills the room with a mix of tension and anticipation. I'm both nervous and excited to see him, hoping we can somehow navigate the mess with my brother. Honestly, he’s the least of my worries.

I know things will get better. He just has to get over himself.

But before I can even utter a greeting, Grady's anger and resentment boil over, his fists clenched at his sides. He goes from zero to one hundred in a second.

"What the hell areyoudoing here?" He steps toward Drew.

"Grady, don’t," I plead, my voice barely a whisper, but he's already beyond reason, and seeing Drew just made it worse.

But it's too late.

Grady lunges at Drew, his fist connecting with Drew's face before anyone can react. Time seems to slow as Drew stumbles back, a mix of shock and pain contorting his handsome face. My heart races as I rush forward, my hands reaching out instinctively.

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