Page 52 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

Jeremy’s phone vibrates on the coffee table and he sigh

s, picking it up to look at the screen. He types out a text and sets it back down, his gaze swinging back to me.

“Look, I’m gonna say this, and then I’m gonna go.” His fingers tap on the top of his knee. “You asked where I’ve been.”

I nod.

“I met someone. Someone I’d—” He runs his hand through his hair, exhaling heavily. “Someone I’d be willing to risk everything for.”

I gasp, my hand reaching out to grip his. “Holy shit, Jer. That’s amazin’, who is it?”

He shakes his head. “I won’t tell you that. He doesn’t want anyone to know. Won’t even admit it to himself, other than the times he’s in my bed. Which I guess I can’t blame him for.” His lips twist. “But I’ll tell you this, Becca. That feeling? The one where someone holds themselves back, even though you’re giving them everything you are? That feeling fucking sucks. It’s a disease. It sneaks in undetected and attaches to your cells, siphoning all the joy, and all the love, until you’re a worthless shell.” He smacks his chest. “Until you start to hate yourself, because how could you love someone who doesn’t want to love you back?”

His voice cracks, and he rubs a hand over his mouth, tears teasing his lower lids. “Don’t be the reason that man loses his heart. Not unless you plan to keep it safe.”

My throat tightens painfully around the sudden knot. I’m biting my cheek so hard I taste blood.

Jeremy cups my face in his hands, kissing my forehead. “You hear me, Becca? You’re better than that. Either be all in or let him go.”

Sucking in a stuttered breath, I nod.

Jeremy leaves a few minutes later, but the heaviness of our conversation lingers.

I don’t want to be Eli’s disease.

The next morning, my chest is tight—the weight of responsibility pushing down in a way I didn’t know it could. I’ve taken Jeremy’s words to heart. Slept on them, dreamed of them and woke up with a new outlook.

I’m going to try.

I’m all in.

The decision makes me antsy, impatience thrumming in my thoughts, wondering when I’ll be able to see Eli again. I’m headed to Coach Andrews’s office to pick up my final paycheck, and I’m hoping I run into him there.

I knock on the office door, a melancholy vibe weaving its way through my chest at the knowledge that after today, I won’t be here anymore. I’ve grown to love the atmosphere, the people and even the game itself. It’s sad knowing I won’t have it at my fingertips in the same way.

“It’s open.”

I turn the knob, walking in and almost tripping over my heels. Coach is behind his desk, a remote in his hand pointed at the projection screen. Eli is perched on the corner of the desk, and there’s a flash of strawberry-blonde in my peripheral.

Great.

“Hi, y’all.” I wave.

Eli smirks at me, fire flashing through his eyes as he stares, unashamed. The heat from his gaze races across the room and slams into my cheeks, singeing them pink.

“Becca, good to see you. Miss you around here.” Coach smiles.

I clear my throat, focusing in on Coach. “I miss it too. Hope I’m not interruptin’ anything. I didn’t know when the best time to come by would be.”

I glance at the woman sitting to the side and do a double-take. When she was busy rubbing against my man, I only saw her back, so this is the first chance I’ve had to take her in fully. She’s beautiful. And familiar. My eyes narrow as I try to place her.

“You’re never an interruption,” Eli’s voice pipes in.

I look toward him, smiling. He winks and my core clenches.

“Alright.” I nod, turning back to the woman. She’s nagging at my brain.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” I can’t help myself, it’ll drive me crazy if I don’t find out.

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