Page 34 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

Pushing to my feet, I roll my neck and head toward the squat rack, adjusting the weights with a little more force than necessary.

Maybe if I push myself harder, I’ll be able to get her out of my mind.

“James,” Coach shouts from the door. “What are you doing? It’s supposed to be an easy weight day.”

“It is,” I grouse, dropping my towel and water bottle beside the weight machine, I load it up with the max weight I can handle. “I’ve only been working out for thirty minutes.”

“That’s thirty minutes too long and you know it. I don’t need you hurting yourself. Make sure you spend some extra time in the ice bath.” I ignore him, and continue to prep the squat machine before putting my body in position. I can feel his eyes on me but he doesn’t say anything right away.

“When you’re done here, head over to PR. Stacy Mullins needs to talk to you about something.”

Reluctantly curious, I give him a glance. “PR? Did they say what they wanted to talk about?”

“Didn’t give me any details except she needed to see you. And that it’s important.”

“Important?” My eyebrows pull together. Thoughts race through my head trying to figure out what could be important enough for PR to need to seeme, but I draw a complete blank.

“Ten more minutes. Then off to see Stacy.” Coach slaps his hand on the door frame before heading out.

I grunt.

“Don’t grunt at me,” he yells from the hallway. “And remember that ice bath before you leave here today. I don’t need my starting goalie pulling a muscle.”

“Yes, Coach,” I respond, my mind already going over all the possibilities of what Stacy in PR could want when it becomes crystal clear.

Nathan.

I haven’t checked social media, I never do, but I’m pretty certain this has everything to do with him and what he’s saying about Ava. And by association, me.

Because I’m involved, the team is being dragged into this. This is all about damage control.

I grab my towel and water bottle and head to the locker room for my phone. The first thing I do is look up news of Nathan Vaughn and Ava Norris.

Running a hand through my hair, I push out a breath. Everything I’m reading has me wishing I had decked him when he was here the other day. He deserves it.

My thoughts pivot to Ava, and I immediately pull up her contact and send a text.

Me:How are you? Is everything okay?

Ava:Well this is a nice surprise.

My lip lifts at the emoji, and a wave of emotion moves through my body. Taking a deep breath and scrubbing my face I pull myself together. This isn’t the time to be distracted by feelings.

Ava:I’m pretty good. How are you?

Me:Have you heard from Nathan at all?

Staring at my phone I watch as three dots appear and then disappear multiple times. I continue to wait but after a few minutes I try again.

Me:Ava?

Me:Have you heard from Nathan?

This time she responds immediately.

Ava:No.

Ava:But I did text with Caroline.

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