Page 62 of Puck Right Off

Too fast? Where the hell is this coming from?

“What brought this on?”

She heaves out a long sigh. “This is fun and all, Tristan. But we’re opposites. Not to mention that my stepbrother can’t know about us.”

I open my mouth, almost blurting out what I’ve been holding inside, but then shut it. I don’t want that to be a deciding factor for us. I need to know she really cares for me, and right now, I’m having too many doubts. “Why now?”

“Chelsea noticed and made a comment. It made me think….”

I scowl at her, irritation coursing through my veins. “So that’s what you do, huh? When things get heavy, you run.”

Her arms drop to her sides before they move to her hips. She glares at me, her body vibrating from anger. “You’re a fine one to talk. Ironically, you’re criticizing me for what you’ve already done.”

My hand goes through my hair again, tugging at the roots. “Yeah, and I apologized and learned from it.” I step closer to her. “I really care for you, Jordyn. This…” I gesture between us. “It’s not a joke to me. We’re both risking a lot. I thought we were on the same page and believed it was worth it.”

She doesn’t say a word.

“I guess I was wrong.” Swallowing hard, my stomach hardens from the hurt welling inside. Shock and disbelief course through me as I stare at the only woman I’ve ever loved. The one that lights up the darkness, pulling me from it.

Without another word, I spin on my heel and exit the closet. My lungs constrict inside my chest, making it hard to breathe, as I exit the rec center.

Sucking in a breath of the cool September air, my thoughts are bleak. I clench my teeth as I stumble in the direction of my vehicle, my shoulders hunched from pain. I try to convince myself it’s not as bad as it seems. That I won’t always be alone.

Unlocking the door, I slide behind the steering wheel, letting the misery swallow me. My chest is as hollow as my sluggish heart.

Alone.

I’m destined to spend my life alone.

CHAPTER 37

Tristan

Jordyn briefly made eye contact with me when she walked into English Lit before hurrying to the vacant seat beside Jessica. When Jordyn thought I wasn’t paying attention, I’d catch her staring at me.

Keeping my eyes averted, I pretended to ignore her. I was acutely aware of everything she did, the cracks she’d repaired fracturing and in danger of breaking into pieces.

“You okay?” The concern in Alex’s blue eyes tightens my chest. I haven’t seen that look on his face since my parents and sister died.

I squared my shoulders, blowing out a breath. “I’m fine. It’s for the best. My focus needs to be on the upcoming draft.”

“I wish she’d pull her head outta her ass. Quite frankly, I expected better from her.”

“It’s for the best,” I say between gritted teeth.

I wish my heart would agree.

It's Friday night,and although it’s the last thing I want to do, my teammates are going to a club named Sinful Sirens to celebrate Landin Walker’s twenty-first birthday. Things have been tense between Bryce and me since the scene in Jordyn’s office in the learning center, with Landin taking Bryce’s side and Alex taking mine. As captain, I am responsible for bringing my team together, not pulling them apart.

I feel like a jackass for fighting with my teammate over a woman who doesn’t want anything to do with me. The awkwardness between us this week has sent us into hiding in our respective rooms.

The only good thing about Jordyn and I avoiding one another is Josh no longer seems suspicious.

“You may wanna stop brooding and sighing if you don’t want the other guys to ask questions,” Alex whispers in my ear as he slides into his chair beside me. We sit around a table while a woman dances on stage, slowly peeling her skimpy dress off.

Spinning my glass on the table, I look up at him, bored with the atmosphere already.

“Another round of drinks will be here soon,” Landin says as he returns to our table. I smile at the right winger on the team, pretending to be having a good time. Bryce cheers, giving Landin a high five.

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