Page 116 of How to Score Off Field

"Drew!" I cry out, my voice a mixture of horror and disbelief. "Grady, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Drew raises a hand to his cheek, blood trickling from a cut near his lip. He looks at me, his eyes a mix of pain and confusion, and I'm overwhelmed with guilt.

This mess, this pain,it's all my fault.

All I had to do was be honest and tell him.

I told dipshit instead, and now, look at where we are.

Grady's chest heaves as he glares at Drew, his anger unabated. "You think you can just waltz in here and mess with my sister, then walk away like nothing happened?"

“I didn’t walk away like nothing happened. I had no idea what was happening until I saw it on the news, asshole. Fuck you.”

Drew takes a deep breath, his voice strained. "Do you think I meant for any of this to happen? I care about Tess. Jesus, bro, bring it down a notch.”

I watch my brother's reaction, fists clenching at my sides.

"Grady, you have no right to hit him!” Drew could press charges, for crying out loud. “We're all adults here. We can handle this without violence."

Grady's nostrils flare as he glares at Drew, but he finally steps back, his fists slowly unclenching. Drew wipes away the small amount of blood from his lip, his eyes never leaving Grady's face.

"I think it's best if you go," Drew says, his voice tense.

I turn to him. "Drew, I'm so sorry. This isn't how I wanted any of this to happen."

“So I have to leave, and you get to stay? That’s fucked up. We’re family.”

“Well, this whole situation is fucked up, so there. Deal with it.”

Grady's anger has left a trail of destruction, a stark reminder of the consequences of our actions. I turn to Grady, my voice trembling with anger and disappointment.

"You had no right, Grady. None at all." I cannot say it enough because he doesn’t seem to get it.

He looks at me, his anger slowly giving way to remorse. "Tess, I was just trying to protect you. I didn't want to see you hurt."

“Protect me by taking money.”

Hilarious.

My frustration boils over. "You don't get to make decisions for me, Grady. You don't get to play hero and ruin everything in the process."

Tears sting at the corners of my eyes as I storm out of the room.

Drew's pain and Grady's anger intertwine with my own, and I'm left to pick up the pieces. I feel so alone even though two men I love are standing so close.

My hand runs over my belly.

“I’m sorry, peanut.”

* * *

There’sa soft knock on the door.

My eyes crack open, and I realize that Miranda’s room is getting dark, and I must have fallen asleep.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” Drew’s voice is quiet, as if he feels guilty for waking me up. “Can we talk?"

“What time is it?”

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