Page 38 of Of Flesh & Bone

"And now we're together."

"You're together?What does that even mean?You don't do together."

"I do now.You were wrong about her.You're the asshole here, Ace."

"Excuse me?You don't even know what you're talking about.Your girlfriend is a stone-cold bitch.She completely ignores everyone on the team and refuses to participate in team activities.She thinks she's better than us because she has some talent, but it's not just us.She never talks to anyone at school.She's too good to even make eye contact with us.She's a snob."

"A snob, huh?"

"Yeah, a snob."

"What did you and the other girls do when she first started the year here?"

"What do you mean?"

"You veterans on the team.What did you do to welcome the new member of your team and make her feel like she even could talk to you?"

Ace is silent for a moment.

"She's unapproachable.She makes zero effort-"

I cut her off mid-sentence."It wasn't up to her to make the effort.That was your job.That was Elise's job as captain.When you started school here, they rolled out the red carpet for you.Those girls fell at your feet and, even after you declined multiple invites, they kept trying until you warmed up to them.Which one of you did that for Eve?I know you sure as fuck didn't."

Ace is silent again.She knows I'm right.She has nothing to say.Her mind is busy processing every interaction that she has ever had with Eve, and she is coming to the same conclusion that I have already drawn.She's the asshole.The whole team is the asshole, and Eve is the victim of their myopic view of the world around them.

"Shit.I'm sorry, Adam.I made quite the scene."

"It's not me that you should be apologizing to."

"Ughh!I know.This is going to be painful.I've given her months of ammunition for this...not to mention this little scene."

"Little scene?You came in here like a tornado.This very easily could've come to blows.I'm surprised at how calm she is.She may not forgive you.If she doesn't, you deserve it and it's up to you to keep trying."

"Since when are you the apology police?Have you ever apologized to anyone for anything in your whole life?"

"Why would I ever need to apologize?"

"There he is."Ace says this as though she's a game show host.

"Come on.She's in the living room.Prepare to grovel."

We walk out of the bedroom together.When we reach the living room, there's no Eve so I walk into the kitchen, where I see Cal looking in the fridge.

"Did you see where Eve went?"

"Uh yeah.She left a while ago."

"What?!Why did you let her leave?!"

"Well...I didn't realize she was your hostage.She came down the hall and walked straight out the door.She didn't look suspicious, and she wasn't carrying a TV or a Rolex, so I just let her go."

"Mother fucker!"

I turn to see Ace looking at me with pure shock.She's never seen me act like this over a woman and I know that it must hurt her to witness it.She's the only woman I lose my composure for.

"Let's go.You're going to help me fix this."

"What am I going to do?"

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