Page 60 of Choke

I exhale sharply, dragging a hand over the back of my head. She’s testing me and playing with me. That fucking jersey. Willing myself to calm down, I force my hands to unravel from the fists they’ve been balled into.

I should go after her and rip that fucking jersey off myself.

We’re nearing the bar when a blonde steps into my path. I don’t realize I’ve stopped short until Cally nearly runs into me. It takes me a few seconds to understand who I’m looking at.

Alice.

For a minute, old habits kick in—there’s a familiarity there, muscle memory—and I smile at her before recalling the bullshit she pulled, and my expression hardens. Indifference creates a straight line across my lips. Beside me, Cally clears his throat and stifles a laugh.

“Alice. Nice to see you,” he offers, voice dripping with sarcasm.

I can’t even look at him. I know he’ll be sporting a shit-eating grin at the awkwardness of this situation.

After a moment of silence, he continues.

“Well. We’re in a crowded place, and you two have things to talk about. So, I’ll just…” He’s strolling away before finishing his sentence.

Thanks, man.

“Adrian.”

“Alice. Did you stop by so I can beat you again?”

She blanches, her cheeks instantly turning red. It reveals everything I need to know. I could have lost everything. I’m fortunate my friends know me well enough to understand I would never, but some of the newer guys on the team looked at me as if there might be some truth to it.

“You know.” I continue, “When Cally asked me for coffee to discuss me beating my ex-girlfriend, I thought he had to have it wrong. There is no way you would claim something so disgusting and untrue.”

“Adrian—” she starts, voice fragile, cracking. I raise a hand, cutting her off—keeping the distance between us measured and precise.

“Please, don’t. Don’t try to lie to me.” I lean an inch closer, and her eyes widen. “You could have cost me my career.” I hiss out at her.

Her eyes fill with tears. What could she possibly have expected from this interaction? That somehow I wouldn’t know about the accusations she’s spreading through my friend group?

I am about to continue when her expression changes.

Her eyes narrow, and a look of confusion crosses her face, turning into shock.

I look over my shoulder to see Cally walking to the exit, his arm over…no. He wouldn’t.

The air turns thick—my pulse roars in my ears.

Cally’s hand is on the small of her back, pulling her closer while guiding her out the door.

Too close.

Lex’s head tilts up, and for a second, I think she’s looking at me.

She isn’t.

She’s laughing.

I look back to Alice, whose hurt and sadness have been replaced with a snide grin.

Heat creeps up the back of my neck, and my hands clench into fists.

My jaw is locked so tight that my molars scream.

My mind is a chaotic mess of violence.

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