Page 93 of Full Tilt
“Just”—I hold up a hand, refusing to lift my head—“confirm what I already know. I can’t play this Friday, can I?”
Silence descends on the room before Coach finally speaks. “No, Tommy. Right now, the team needs you to stay away.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
JENNA
The soccer season has been long and grueling, so I guess if I could find one positive about losing today’s playoff game against Milwaukee, it’s that my body will finally get a rest.
My mind, on the other hand … well, that’s working overtime. To the point where I can’t focus on anything other than the voice in my head, telling me to step in and do something.
Tommy’s career is all but done if I don’t speak up and set the record straight about what happened with Ethan. I can’t believe that bastard went back on his word about keeping quiet and spouted so much crap on social media. I was convinced he was lying when he said he once played semi-pro soccer since I’d never heard of an Ethan Hadley, but turns out, he did. And he’s using his modest platform to try and bring down a good person.
Only … is Tommy a good person?
He’s like the ultimate version of Jekyll and Hyde. One second, he’s rescuing me from the clutches of a creep, and thenext, he’s walking out of my apartment after promising to prove me wrong about who he is.
I’m confused and going back and forth over what to do. Does Tommy even want my help? He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t thank anyone for coming to his aid. Every battle is his own to fight and win.
Sounds kind of familiar when I think about it …
“So, I ended up flying to the moon, and I got you a key chain from the gift shop.” Kendra lowers her voice so only I can hear her.
Collins and Darcy continue to talk about Emily and all the gifts Archer has bought his baby daughter for Christmas. Knowing Archer, I’m sure they could be working through the list for a while.
Half expecting to find the answer to Tommy’s predicament in the bottom of my glass, I toss back the rest of my beer and set my empty back on the bar. It’s been a while since we went out as a group of girls, and I feel bad for not being as engaged as I should be.
“Does your silence have something to do with Mr. Schneider?” Kendra leans in closer to me, and I rest an elbow on the bar.
Glancing up, I catch Darcy as she studies my expression with concern, and Collins breaks off from talking.
Now sitting in complete silence, I drop my eyes to the floor, wondering why the fuck I chose to wear strappy black sandals in the middle of fall.
“Don’t be down, babe. You did an amazing job, winning the shield.” Darcy’s singsong voice tries—and fails—to lift my mood.
“It doesn’t really have to do with the playoffs,” I reply, lifting my gaze to my friends. “Or even soccer, to be honest.”
Darcy’s eyes flick to Kendra, and immediately, I know I can’t keep hiding what’s going on from them.
“How much have you had to drink?” I ask, pointing at Collins’s and Darcy’s glasses. I’ve been so absent tonight; I can’t remember if this is their first or fifth drink.
Now looking more concerned, Darcy lifts herself onto a barstool behind her and sets her half-empty cocktail glass down.
“This is our second, but I’m thinking that we should be ordering a third,” Collins chimes in, already lifting a finger to distract a bartender’s attention.
It’s a quiet night in Lloyd’s, and I’m grateful for the relaxed atmosphere because I feel anything but.
“I’d say that’s a good idea,” Kendra agrees, pointing to a Mai Tai on the menu. She knows it’s my favorite cocktail.
Collins clears her throat and pulls up a stool next to Darcy. “Okay, hit us with it, Miller.”
I turn to look at Kendra as I deliver the bomb. “I’ve been sleeping with Tommy.”
The gasp Darcy releases pulls my attention straight to her and Collins, who looks equally as shocked. I guess Tommy and I really did do a good job of hiding our hookups.
“And the guy who’s claiming Tommy hit him in an unprovoked attack … let’s just say, that punch wasn’t unwarranted.”
Kendra’s eyes flare wide since this is news to her too.
