Page 81 of Changing Rules

BLOCKED

XANDER

One year ago

August

“Wow.”

At the sharp whistle that follows that single word, I turn, holding my T-shirt in my hand. Miller stands a few feet away from me, his eyes glued to his phone. The smile on his lips creeps me out, especially when he looks up, and our gazes lock.

He slumps onto the bench beside me. “Huh,” he says, feigning a casual demeanor. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize her before.” Miller shoves his phone in my face. “That’s your ex from college, right?”

Involuntarily, I snap my gaze to the screen. My blood runs cold when the image registers. It’s a photo of Stacey and me on my front porch. She’s clearly wearing my hoodie, its sleeves rolled up and the hem falling past her butt. The headline of the article blurs into a mess, and I have to blink several times to read it right.

New couple alert?

This can’t be fucking happening.

“‘Alexander Walker, star quarterback of the Boston City Warriors, was seen ushering an attractive blonde from his house late Monday night. His guest appears to be the woman he’s been photographed with a handful of times over the last few months,’” Jake reads, his voice booming so everyone in the locker room can hear him. “‘A source close to the player confirms he and his girlfriend, Isabella Lawson, have called it quits. We can’t, however, say whether this beautiful blonde had anything to do with the breakup. It doesn’t seem like this Warrior was heartbroken for long. Is it a new couple alert? We’ve yet to find out, but we’ll update when we learn more.’”

When Miller looks up, the room is eerily silent.

I keep my head bowed, avoiding eye contact with my teammates. My hands tremble, making my shirt tremble too.

I clutch it to my chest and close my eyes. Dammit. All I can think about is Bella, how she’ll feel if she sees this article.

“Fuck, Walker! Color me surprised.” Miller laughs, punching my shoulder. “So many big words about how much you love Isabella, only to dump her the second your nerdy ex returns. I didn’t expect that…though maybe I should’ve. Glad to see you off that high horse. Told you you’re no better than me.”

I stand and yank on my shirt, ignoring him. The only thing I want to do is talk to Bella and make it clear there’s nothing going on between me and Stacey.

“Where is Isabella?” Jake asks as I pick up my duffel bag. “Figured I’d see if she wants to get dinner now that you’re done with her.”

I clench my jaw and count to ten. I promised I wouldn’t get physical, but damn if he’s not grating on my last nerve.

“Xander.” Drew stops in front of me. He’s fully dressed, just like I am. “Let’s go.”

With a nod, I stride toward the door. Drew stays close behind me, and once we step into the hallway, Marco joins us.

“I thought you said you weren’t going to keep hanging out with her.” Drew’s shoulder brushes mine as we head to the parking lot.

“I did, and I haven’t been.” I rough a hand down my face. “She showed up at my house. I told her I can’t be friends with her anymore, and she accepted it.”

“Why is she in your hoodie then?” Drew side-eyes me. “I’ve seen you wear that one more than once.”

“She spilled tea on her T-shirt. I gave her my hoodie. That’s all.”

Marco shakes his head. “No one’s gonna believe that.”

“That’s why I’m calling my rep as soon as I’m in the car. We’ll issue a statement. I don’t want Bella to think I’m with Stacey.”

My words are met with silence. I eye Drew, then Marco, and realize they’re having a silent exchange.

“What?” I ask.

“Do you really think she’ll care about a statement?” Drew hefts his bag higher on his shoulder, eyeing me intently.

“I’ll call her?—”

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