Page 124 of Spin The Bottle
He lets out a scoff, ignoring Carter. “You’re all just fine with having him as captain?” When no one agrees with him, he laughs. “You’re all losers,” Jordan says, shaking his head.
I don’t even acknowledge the irony in his statement. “And you’re not supposed to be here. Leave.”
“Fuck you,” he says, picking up his shit and shoving it in his gym bag. “Fuck this school.” He turns around, but before he can leave, Ethan grabs him by his collar and swings, landing a punch to his face.
Jordan jumps back, his eyes wide and the room settles in silence. He shakes his head, his jaw clenching, and then walks out of the door.
Ethan turns back around, eyes blazing as he runs a hand through his hair. “He played me,” he admits, shaking his head. “He fucking told me you had rich parents who paid off Coach to make you captain.”
My eyes widen at his admission. Jordan really wanted that position, and he was willing to turn everyone against me to do it. “That’s not true.” Furthest thing from it.
Ethan nods. “I know that now.” His eyes dip, running his tongue over his bottom lip. “Fuck, I’m sorry, Cap. I really thought…”
I nod. He was misled, nothing we can change about that. “Thanks for that,” I gesture towards the door.
He shakes his head, letting out a scoff. “He had it coming.”
Yeah, he did.
I blow out a breath knowing he’s no longer a threat. But if Jordan could do that to me, then any one of these guys could turn around and do the same. “He isn’t a problem anymore,” I tell him. “He’s off the team and out of this school. We need to have each other’s backs, not stab them.” I turn to the rest of the team. “Anyone else have a problem with me being captain or where I come from, then say it now. Because these petty little arguments are exhausting.”
“I’m good,” Carter says, raising his hands.
“I have nothing against you,” Andre replies.
“Me neither,” Brent says.
My shoulders drop. “Glad to have that sorted.”
“We all saw the pictures,” Andre says, making my face drop. “I know how hard it must be to have your personal business out there.”
“Yeah,” I breathe out.
“We’re here for you, Cap,” Carter says, lifting his chin. “Whatever you need, you can count on us.”
I’m glad to have a team that has my back, even if no one else does after this. I give him a nod. “You too,” I tell him, admiring him for standing up for me today, even if it meant exposing his business. When I turn to leave the locker room, his voice stops me.
“Where are you going?” Carter asks.
“Home to my girl.”
Epilogue
Kittens and birthdays
“They’re plants, Leila. They all look the same.”
“Shhh.” Her eyes widen, tucking the plant to her side. “They can hear you.”
She’s adorable. I want to kiss her. I always want to kiss her. Every moment of the day, every second. “But you already have so many.” Understatement. Her apartment is covered in green. I’ve got to say, I kind of love it. It reminds me of her.
She shakes her head, examining the leaves. “They bring me comfort and oxygen. Do you not want me to breathe?” The way her eyes narrow at me, makes me want to laugh, but I know better so I press my lips together.
“Of course I do, gorgeous.”
“Do you have anything else to say about my plants?”
I snicker, pressing my lips to hers. “No, baby. Where do you want them?”
