Page 38 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

“Anyone seen a sweet ass attached to a fiery redhead around here?” Jeremy’s voice rings across the room.

Eli’s eyes turn glacial and I cringe, a guilty rock sinking in my gut. I want to tell him about Jeremy. Let him know there’s nothing to be jealous of. But I can’t betray Jeremy’s trust. So, I’m stuck on this teeter-totter with no way off—one where Jeremy doesn’t know not to flirt, and the man I’m with has to stand back and think the worst.

“Hey, Jer.” I sigh.

“Hey, girl.” He picks me up off the floor in a bear hug. I look past his shoulder to see Eli’s fists clenching tight. My chest constricts around my lungs, a knot forming in my throat. I try to convey my apology through my eyes, but he breaks our stare, his face turning to the side.

Jeremy sets me down, and I back up immediately, throwing the dirty towel in the laundry bin.

“You coming out with me tonight to celebrate?” Jeremy wags his brows. I swallow, not sure what to say. I hadn’t thought of a reason why I couldn’t, and now that I’m standing in front of him, I’m worried it will look suspect if I think of something on the spot. Eli’s eyes laser into me, and I know he’s waiting to hear my answer.

Jeremy hasn’t even noticed him yet.

“I don’t know, Jer. I’m tired. I might just go home and sleep.”

“That’s cool. I’ll come crash at yours then.” He smiles and when I don’t immediately smile back, his grin lessens. A creak sounds from Eli straightening off the lockers, and Jeremy turns, noticing him for the first time.

“Coach! You’re like a ninja. I didn’t even know you were here.” He looks at Eli then back at me, his eyes narrowing the longer they bounce between us. “What are you doing in here?”

Eli’s jaw clenches and I see the coldness trickle through his irises. “Thought I’d check and make sure the locker room was cleared out before heading home.”

Jeremy’s chin lifts as he looks at me. I fidget under his stare, trying to blanket all my secrets and hide them from his view. But I’ve always been a shit liar, and Jeremy reads me better than almost anyone, so I’m not sure it works.

I glance at Eli one more time before focusing my gaze on Jeremy. “Yeah, Jer. That’s fine. Just let me finish up here, and I’ll meet you at my place.”

“Sweet.” Jeremy grins, leaning in and smacking my ass.

Eli’s nostrils flare. Jeremy nods to him, waltzing out the door.

The door clicks shut, echoing off the concrete walls. The silence that follows slices through my skin like a thousand knives, gripping my heart and holding it hostage. I’m afraid for it to beat.

My hand shoots up, twisting the ends of my hair.

“So that’s it then, huh?” Eli asks.

My chest squeezes, but the intensity of my emotions throws me off-kilter. Why do I feel like I have something to apologize for? We’re not even in a relationship. This is ridiculous.

“What’s it? What did you expect me to do, Eli?”

“I don’t know, Becca. Maybe not bail on me to sleep with the guy who claims you’re his ‘other half,’” he snaps.

“What was I supposed to say?” My hands hit my thighs. “Sorry, Jer, can’t hang out with you. I have plans with my best friend’s estranged older brother. Oh, he also happens to be your coach and my damn boss. You know, faculty at the school where I attend as a student!” My voice rises with each word.

Eli’s eyes narrow and he stalks toward me, clamping a palm over my mouth, stifling my voice and stuttering my breath. “Shut the hell up. You want the whole buildin’ to hear?”

I shake my head, heat flooding my core at his aggressive stance and tone.

What is wrong with me?

His eyes bore into mine, his hand pressing harder against my mouth. We’re frozen for long moments, until he finally sighs, drops his hand and backs up.

I dart forward, gripping his jaw in my hands. “Eli, listen to me. Jeremy is just a friend.”

He scoffs, but he grips my wrists, leaning into my touch.

“I hate this,” he whispers. “I want him to know you’re mine. I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

My heart slams against my ribs with fervor, but my stomach flips and twists, dropping to the floor. I lean my forehead against his chest. He blows out a breath and kisses the top of my head, wrapping his arms around me.

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