Page 45 of Changing Rules

I lower my gaze to hide my smile, though apparently I do a shit job of it.

“Why are you smiling, Walker? You tried to start a fight.AfterI asked you not to do that ever again.”

“He couldn’t keep his big mouth shut, and that’s my fault?”

“That’s why I fucking told you to stay away from each other! Neither of you can keep your shit together.” He narrows his eyes at me, his expression harder than I’ve ever seen it. “You’ve had your warning. This time, you gotta deal with the fallout. You’re suspended for two weeks.”

“What?” I rear back, my heart lurching. “I’ll miss the first preseason game.” What the fuck? I wasn’t the one looking for a confrontation, yet I’m being suspended? “What about him?”

“He didn’t touch you.” Coach shrugs, and my heart drops. “You got physical when you spat on him. This shit between you needs to end. This is not the way my players behave. So take the two weeks to get yourself together and figure out what you want. Then we’ll talk.”

“Unbelievable.” I throw my hands in the air and storm toward the building. If I don’t get the fuck out of here, I’m going to lose it.

Miller appears in the locker room as I’m heading out. He blocks my way, his eyes cold and distant.

Rage swims inside me, setting my skin on fucking fire. I clutch my duffel tighter and fist my other hand to keep from strangling him.

“Better figure out how to play nice, or you’ll find yourself in big trouble,” he warns, his voice low.

I huff. “My days of looking past all the shit you’ve done are over. When I’m back, I’ll continue pretending you don’t exist. You are nothing.”

“Suit yourself.” Smirking, he takes a step back. “I don’t have a problem admitting you’re a pro on the field.”

“I never said you weren’t a good player. You’re a fucked-up, trashy human being, that’s all.” I walk past him, bumping his shoulder with mine as I go.

I head straight to the exit with Drew on my heels. I was on a tight schedule to begin with, and after cleaning up my bloody nose and changing clothes, I’m late.

Fuck. The last thing I want is to be late tonight. Bella needs me.

As I throw open the door to the parking garage, Miller’s voice echoes down the hall.

“Let me know when you’re done with Isabella. She’s mine, and I want her back.”

I grip the door, calculating how quickly I’d be thrown off the team if I go back and smash this asshole’s smug face into the wall.

“Xander, let’s go.” Drew claps my back, urging me to move. “He’s riling you up on purpose. He’s not worth it.”

I know that.

Shaking my head, I barrel outside. I don’t have time for this…even if my knuckles are literally itching.

“Stop letting him get to you,” Drew says.

The urgency in his voice makes my shoulders relax. He’s genuinely concerned about me.

“Yeah. When it comes to that asshole, using my temper instead of my brain clearly doesn’t work.” I hang my head low, kicking at a pebble near my foot. “I’ll do better when I’m back…ifI’m back.”

“Youwillbe back.” He clasps my shoulder. “How about you and Bella come over for dinner next week? Kelly will be happy to see you.”

I inhale, allowing my lungs to expand for the first time since that football hit my face. “I’d love to.”

Drew smiles. “Awesome. I’ll talk to Kelly and let you know when.”

“Thank you for all your help. I owe you.”

He shrugs. “You’re my friend.”

With a nod, I head to my car. “I gotta go. Bella’s waiting for me.”

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