Page 17 of Changing Rules

“Okay, how about you take a break?” He kisses my temple and slides into the chair beside me. “Just for tonight?”

I put my head on his shoulder. “Okay. That’s probably a good idea.”

His scent wafts around me, and I bite my bottom lip to keep from breaking into laughter. He smells like me.

“If you like my shower gel that much, maybe I should get you your own bottle,” I taunt him.

That earns me a light jab to the ribs. It’s more like a tickle, but I glower at him in mock annoyance anyway.

“How come speaking the truth always gets me in trouble?”

“Making fun of me gets you in trouble.” He pulls my chair closer, the legs scraping across the tile.

The sound makes me cringe, but the act itself makes me feel lighter. He hates when there’s distance between us.

Eyes locked on mine, he says, “I missed you.” Then he leans in and gives me a tender kiss.

“I missed you too,” I whisper against his lips. “I think we should watchThe Avengerstonight.”

He’s been trying to get me to watch it for weeks.

Brows lifted, he reels back a little. “What made you change your mind?”

“You always watch anime with me, even when you aren’t really interested.” I shrug. “So, tonight’s your pick. What will it be?”

He looks up at the ceiling and hums, his lips ticking up. “It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise, huh? Okay, I’m in.” I scoot away a little and dig into the risotto, my eyes falling closed. “Mmm, it’s delicious.”

“It is. Your food is always incredible.” His words are like a gentle caress.

“What are we going to do if I get into school?” I find myself asking. It’s been on my mind a lot since I applied.

“We’ll figure it out,” he says easily. “We can always fly to each other when we have time. Or I can negotiate a contract with another team, you know.”

My heart drops. Another team? This is the first time he’s even hinted at that.

“No,” I breathe, suddenly struggling to find my voice. “I don’t want you to change teams for me. It’ll only make me feel like a burden. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You and your twisted mind.” He sighs, his shoulders slumping.

“My twisted mind?” I frown. The warmth in my blood turns hot with anger, which is an unfamiliar sensation where he’s involved. “What does that mean?”

“All I’m saying is, if being apart is too hard for either of us, I can talk to my agent about signing with another team. I can follow you to New York if need be.” He clears his throat and forces a smile onto his face.

My anger fades, replaced by concern. “Is this about Jake?”

He nods gingerly.

My ex is out of rehab, it seems. He was photographed at a club last week, and apparently he’ll be at training camp in July. It’s hard to predict how things between Jake and Xander will go.

Knowing his stint in rehab was a ploy to avoid public scandal—thus putting the target on Xander and me—I can’t imagine he’s changed.

In hindsight, I wish I’d filed charges against Jake. I should’ve at least gotten a restraining order. He shouldn’t be on the team—he should be behind bars.

My insides churn, and bile climbs up my throat.

At the time, I was worried about what would happen to Xander’s career if word got out. I pitied Jake, thinking I could forgive him.

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