Page 117 of Across the Boards

Practice ends, finally, and we board the team bus back to the hotel. My phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number as we pull away from the arena.

Your girl’s still got a thing for older men, Carter. Didn’t take much convincing in Seattle. I’m sure you understand - some things never change.

My blood freezes in my veins. Jason. Has to be. But how did he get my number? And what the hell does he mean about Seattle?

Tommy notices my expression from across the aisle. “What’s wrong?”

I wordlessly hand him my phone. His face darkens as he reads the text.

“This is bullshit,” he says firmly, keeping his voice low. “Total bullshit. Sarah would know if Elliot had seen Jason in Seattle.”

“Would she?” I ask, doubt creeping in despite my best efforts. “Elliot’s been distant with her too, remember?”

“I still don’t buy it. This is classic Jason—lies designed to cause maximum damage.” Tommy hands the phone back. “Block the number and wait until you talk to Elliot. Don’t let him get in your head.”

But it’s too late. The seed is planted, unwelcome images taking root. Elliot and Jason in Seattle. Elliot reconsidering everything about us. Elliot pulling away, making excuses, avoiding calls.

No. I refuse to believe it. This is exactly what Jason wants—doubt, suspicion, the poison of mistrust between Elliot and me. I delete the text without responding and block the number.

When we land in Phoenix, Tommy offers to drive me straight to Elliot’s, but Sarah texts that they’re not home yet. Stuck in traffic after a coffee stop. So I head to my townhouse first, dropping my gear bag inside the door before pacing restlessly, watching out the window for any sign of Sarah’s SUV pulling up next door.

An hour passes. Then another. The shadows lengthening across my living room floor mark time as surely as a clock.

Finally, headlights sweep across my windows as a car pulls into Elliot’s driveway. I’m out my door before the engine cuts off, trying not to look like I’ve been watching and waiting.

Sarah emerges from the driver’s side, spotting me immediately. Her expression—grim, apologetic—sends a fresh wave of dread through me.

“Where’s Elliot?” I ask, approaching the car.

“Inside already.” Sarah jerks her head toward Elliot’s door. “But Brody, listen?—”

“I need to talk to her.” I move toward Elliot’s townhouse, but Sarah grabs my arm.

“Wait. You need to know what happened.” Her grip tightens. “Jason confronted her in Seattle. At her hotel.”

I stop cold. “What?”

“Cornered her in the lobby. Physically intimidated her.” Sarah’s expression is a mixture of anger and concern. “And he threatened her. Threatenedyou, actually. Said he’d ruin your career if she stayed with you.”

The pieces click into place with sickening clarity. “That’s why she’s been distant.”

Sarah nods grimly. “And it gets worse. She got a job offer while she was there. In Seattle.”

“A job...” I struggle to process this new information.

“Technical editing position with some tech company. Better pay, more responsibility.” Sarah glances toward Elliot’s door. “She’s planning to take it. To ‘protect your career’ from Jason’s threats.”

I feel like I’ve been checked into the boards at full speed. Elliot is leaving. Moving to Seattle. Ending things between us because Jason threatened her—threatened me, really, using her feelings for me as leverage.

“I need to see her,” I say, pulling away from Sarah’s grip.

“That’s why I’m warning you. She’s convinced herself this is the noble choice. The selfless option.” Sarah’s expression softens slightly. “She needs you to fight for her, Brody. Even if she can’t admit it.”

I approach Elliot’s door, heart hammering in my chest, and knock firmly. The wait feels eternal before I hear footsteps on the other side.

The door opens, and there she is. Hair pulled back in a messy bun, wearing a Phoenix University t-shirt that’s seen better days, eyes widening in surprise at finding me on her doorstep.

“Brody,” she says, voice carefully neutral despite the shock in her eyes. “I thought you weren’t landing until?—”

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