Page 73 of Beyond The Break

“Did it mean something to you?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer for a long while, so long that I start to wonder if he fell asleep, but eventually he sighs and lifts his arm, his brows pulled together in a frown.

“More than it should have.”

I nod in understanding. Days ago, I felt the same about Eliana. I knew I should stay away but I couldn’t fight my growing feelings. I sit up, resting my arms on my knees before looking over my shoulder at him. No more small talk, it’s time for me to get answers.

“Why did you leave the team?”

It’s a question I’ve wanted to ask since I found out. We were both on the youth team before we switched over to the pro team and I know he sees this team like family to him. Leaving just doesn’t make sense.

“I felt responsible for your accident. I couldn’t stay in that house without you there, it was a constant reminder that I played a part in what happened to you, and I couldn’t stand it.”He releases a shaky breath and when I look over at him his eyes are shining with emotion.

“Don’t you fucking dare cry right now, Harrison,” I growl, frowning at him.

“Shut up,” he rubs his eyes, “I’m just angry with myself.”

“Don’t be, she played us both,” I clear my throat, “are you happy with the Rip Raiders?”

He scoffs. “I fucking hate it there. It’s a bunch of rich fucks fighting over who has the biggest dick.”

“So come back.”

“What?”

“Come back to our team.”

“Coach would never let me come back.” He flicks a bug crawling along the sand, frowning, “You should’ve seen how devastated he was when I told him I was leaving.”

“I think he cares too much to leave you with them if you’re unhappy there, Colton. It’s worth asking him.”

“Maybe.”

TWENTY-ONE

ELIANA

“What doyou think they’re talking about?” Maliah whispers.

Her, Kairi, and I are in my room spying on Griffin and Colton from the window. They’re both talking animatedly, and I can tell from their body language it’s a mostly positive conversation.

“Boy things, probably,” Kairi sighs, walking away from the window and throwing herself onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Maliah and I share a glance before we walk over to her and take a seat on either side. She folds her arms over her stomach and sighs deeply.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

She sighs again. “Nothing that I want to talk about right now. Tell us about your sex-filled night with Fin.”

Maliah’s eyes jump to mine, a huge grin spreading across her face as she claps her fingertips together excitedly. I laugh as I feel my cheeks grow warm.

“We didn’t have sex,” I say, flopping on my back next to Kairi.

She snorts and turns her head to look at me. “Yeah, okay.”

“I swear.”

“There’s no way you spent the night with him, and nothing happened between you two.” Maliah pouts.

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