Page 95 of A Pretty Fixation

After a consoling nudge, he leaves the room, and Ifall back into deep thinking.

There’s no doubt that I love Jordyn and miss herlike crazy when we’re not together. I’m upset she hid the truth for howeverlong, and I’m wondering if I would have put us on pause had I learned itsooner.

That aside, I want to be with her. But something’sgnawing at me, and it has to do with Dove.

Dad’s right. I have to find a way to let my pastgo.

Losing our sixth match is a bit disheartening. Itdoesn’t change our position in the standings, but the requirement to win thenext two heightens the pressure.

Though it’s a team effort, it’s hard not to wonderif the recent events affected my performance.

On edge from the loss and everything, I head tothe college field later that evening to kick the ball around.

With every missed attempt at scoring, I bark outangry grunts. Some are shots I wouldn’t typically miss. I’m better than that.

The sky darkens, and the floodlights come on.

I keep practicing, even though my legs are beyondexhausted from the match earlier in the day.

Coach Walters would be livid if he saw me.

“Aren’t you supposed to rest after matches?”

I pivot at Aaron’s voice and glare at him. “Aren’tyou supposed to be minding your business?”

He scoffs and shifts his weight to the other leg.The sweat circle on his shirt indicates he must have been jogging. “I’m sure aloss affects someone with your ego. Just don’t injure yourself.”

“Didn’t know you cared?” I ignore him and swivelback to the ball, trying to refocus.

“She admitted it, didn’t she?”

Taken aback, I peel around to him. “Jordyn toldyouthe truth. But not me?”

Aaron blows a short breath. “Because she fearedyou’d push her away.”

I bark a sarcastic laugh and throw my hands up. “Ican’t fucking believe this. So everyone knew she wasn’t Dove except me.”

“Is that true?” he mocks, edging closer. “Did youhonestly not know? Or were you using Jordyn as a fucking substitute?”

I sock his jaw.

“Ugh!” He arches over and grabs his face.“Fucker…”

Pissed, I ignore the stinging of my hand. “I toldyou to mind your fucking business and stay the hell away from her.”

Aaron spits blood on the grass and lunges for me.

He attempts a punch, but I dodge the force,getting only a graze at my jaw. I go for a jab to his stomach and miss.

We wrestle until it quickly becomes ridiculous andtiring, so we push off of each other and sink into the grass, breathingheavily.

“She loves you,” he grates and wipes his mouthwith the back of his hand. “If you don’t, let her go. I’ll be happy to replaceyou.” With that, he pushes to full height and drags himself from the field,back arching a tad.

Like hell you will, Aaron.

No other fucking guy will take my place at Jordyn’sside. I’m not letting her go.

I’ll sort my shit out and fix things with my girl.

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