Page 56 of Hate the Game
“You’re not stupid, Savannah.”
“No, I really am. I think I’m going to go home for the weekend.” I looked around my room and decided that was the best thing I could do. I needed to be away from any chance of running into my neighbors. I hadn’t thought anything through, at all. I slept with Ryder after hooking up with Jax. Same day. All while I was supposed to be taking them down. For something I wasn’t even sure was their fault anymore. “Yeah, I think I’ll go home. If you need me, just call, okay? I’ll be back on Monday.”
“Are you sure? You could always come here.”
“I need to go home. I just need to recenter myself. I’ll bring you something back. Promise.”
“I hope it’s a cowboy who isn’t afraid of dating a pregnant chick.” She sighed dramatically. “Be careful, Vannah. I’ll see you when you get back.”
I didn’t bother packing clothes because I had a closet full back at home still. I threw anything absolutely essential into a backpack and bought a ticket while walking out of the dorm. I took an uber to the airport and tried to keep my mind onanything else. I didn’t want to obsess over what it meant that Ryder left. I just wanted to go home for a visit. I wasn’t even going to admit to myself that I was running away from my issues.
I was on the plane during boarding when my phone vibrated and I looked down to see Cash was calling me. I squeezed the phone to my chest and considered not answering. Not after what I’d done with Ryder. Or what I’d done with Jax. Or Cole. “Jesus.”
The man sitting next to me shot me a dirty look and turned so he was nearly giving me his back. Which was impressive in an airplane seat.
Ihadto answer. I couldn’t ignore his call and then show up. He’d known something was wrong. “Cash? What’s up?”
“Just checking on my baby sis. How’s it going there? Gathered enough dirt to come home yet?”
I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood and looked out the window next to me. “Not just yet. I am coming home for the weekend, though. I had some time and the team has a bye week so I’m sneaking away. I’m on the plane now.”
“Really? That’s amazing. We’re having a little get together at the house tonight so this is perfect. You can come and entertain us with all the ridiculous stories about those assholes.”
My stomach soured. I glanced towards the bathroom and saw there was no way I’d get to it. There were people lining the aisle. I just shoved my head between my knees and took some deep breaths.
“Vannah? You there?”
I wasn’t all that sure if I was or not. It kind of felt like I was stuck in a nightmare. “I’m here. I have to go. The plane’s about to take off. I’ll see you at home, though. Love you!”
I hung up and turned my phone off before shoving it into my backpack. I’d made such a mess of things. I didn’t know what Iwas going to do but I could feel the walls closing in and I knew I had to do something soon.
Something other than letting The Apex Three become familiar with my vag.
I stuck my head between my knees again and wondered if things wouldn’t be easier if I just opened the plane door once we were in the air and jumped out.
***Ryder***
The locker room was rowdier than I cared for but the energy wasn’t grating on my nerves for once. I stretched out my sore muscles and thought about Savannah. I wondered if she was sore. I could still feel her tight body as I shoved deep and- Fuck. I wasnotgetting a boner in the locker room.
“Whoa. What the fuck?” Kyle stopped right in front of me and frowned. “Are you…smiling?”
I immediately sneered at him. “Fuck off.”
“Holy shit. You were smiling!” His loud voice was gathering attention. “What the hell happened to you to make you smile?”
Ricky, one of the other defensive ends, looked over at me and laughed. “That’s the face of a man who got laid!”
I stiffened and kept my eyes on my shoes as I shook my head. I couldn’t meet Cole or Jax’s gazes but I could feel them looking at me. They knew the only woman I would’ve slept with was Savannah and I wasn’t ready to talk about it. It was all too much of a fucking mess.
“Well, we know who won that race, then. Who had money on Ryder? Pay up, bitches!” Danny opened his locker and tapped asheet taped to the inside. “I knew you were the longshot, man, but I was pulling for you. Some ladies can’t resist that grumpy thing you do.”
I stood up and glared down at him. “The fuck?”
Kyle grinned. “Is it more offensive that we bet on which of the three of you got Savannah or that you were the longshot?”
Jax walked over and yanked the paper down. “Fuck off.”
“Someone’s pissy that he didn’t pull the win.” Danny whistled. “I honestly thought you were heading for a win after I saw her straddling you in your truck yesterday. Wait… Did both of you…”
