Page 118 of The Off-Limits Play

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“I just spotted Carson upstairs. Did you see him?”

“Um…” Her shoulder hitches. “Yeah, I think so? Was he studying at one of the tables?”

“Nylah, I can tell you’re lying.”

She huffs and rolls her eyes. “Fine. Yes. I saw him, and I spoke to him.”

Coach’s lips flatline, his eyebrows dipping into a frown. “We’ve talked about this. He is off-limits. My entire team is.”

“Oh, come on, it’s not like I was giving him a blow job under the table. I just said hi.”

“Nylah!” Coach whisper-barks while my blood runs cold.

I can’t believe she just fucking said that!

“Well, what is your problem? I’m not even allowed totalkto your players?”

“Of course you can be polite and talk with them, like you did at the party on Friday night. I’m just telling you to stay away from Carson McAvoy.”

My stomach drops.

“Why?” she snaps. “Why is he worse than everybody else?”

“Because he’s got problems. He’s a messed-up kid from a messed-up family. It makes him reckless and wild. You can’t trust someone like that.”

Nylah’s expression crumples, her lips parting as she lets her father just keep talking.

“You deserve better. Better than him. I want you with someone who will keep you safe and love you… always put your needs before his own. That’s what you deserve, baby.” He lightly touches her cheek. “You want someone who’s going to build you up. McAvoy will only tear you down, lead you astray. You’ve been through enough trauma in your life.”

Nylah dips her chin, swallowing again, and I can’t fucking watch this.

She’s buying into everything he’s saying right now.

Look at her face.

I’m worth fighting for, yet she’s not arguing one ounce of her father’s shit?

It’s not shit when it’s fucking true.

My insides coil, and I stalk away from the rest of their conversation. My old friend fury whips up a quick storm in my belly as I bolt out of the library, ready to unleash a little hell.

Fuck them!

Fuck Coach and his bullshit comments about being proud of me.

Fuck Nylah for telling me she loved me in the first place.

Of course she’s gonna side with her dad. He’s her trusted guardian, right? I bet he’s never let her down, pushed her away… killed a guy.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I turn away from my next class and make a beeline for my bike.

Fuck school.

All I need right now is a decent drink!

CHAPTER45

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