Page 35 of Fastball

Disgust cascades over every inch of my body, hating the man before me even more than I already did.

“So that’s it, you wanted to ruin his reputation with those pictures?” I ask, not really understanding his logic.

“Yes and no,” he whispers, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, causing every part of me to recoil, which causes his anger to peek through. His fists land on the wall beside my head and I jump, hating that he’s got me cornered. “All I wanted to do was take Josh’s sport, cause some tension and maybe prove to the Hawks that I was good enough. I had this whole plan set up, I paid a few guys to wait at Paul’s Bar and jump him outside, might have even tipped off some paps about what was about to go down.”

My brows furrow, because how the hell would that have ruined him?

“Ahh, I see you’re confused,” he says through a maniacal laugh. “While yes, he would have technically been set up, the tabloids didn’t need to know that. All they would see was Mr. Golden Boy fighting outside a bar after a few drinks. Management would get involved, he would get benched for a few games and that would be my time to shine.”

“But none of that happened,” I state, not remembering any of this in the news.

“Very observant, sweetheart.”

I cringe at the nickname, hating the way it sounds coming off his lips.

“No, it didn’t happen. Instead, I met a very beautiful woman whose hatred for you almost rivaled my hatred for Josh. Her plan was to steal him away, have him cheat on you, and you never forgive him. But she didn’t expect him to fall for you so hard, so fast, so we conspired together. Came up with a plan that was foolproof.”

“Not that foolproof…” I mutter, causing TJ to slam one fist beside my head while the other wraps around my neck and squeezes.

“You were supposed to break it off after the first set of fucking pictures. Angela said you would, but instead you hid them like a fucking coward. I was almost ready to give up when he broke up with you after Angela sent him that email with the proof of the photos. I got my shot. Everything was working out but then you fucking stayed with him! So we upped the ante. Angela gave me her key to the gym, I broke in and stole some footage and thought this was my chance. The tape was sexy as fuck.” His eyes scan my body as if he’s remembering what I looked like that night.

I shiver in disgust.

“You’re disgusting,” I grit through clenched teeth as my fingers ball into fists and I shove him as hard as I can. But he’s too fast and too strong because he locks both my hands at my sides as his face gets close to mine.

“Try it, sweetheart. Try that again and see what happens.”

The threat is like a bucket of cold water, and I realize for the first time how exposed I really am. I know I’m outside a hospital but we’re in a dark corner and out of view.

“What? No fight left?” he teases as I close my eyes, hoping to God I can muster up the strength to get away from him.

But as if I conjured him with my mind, King shows his face, his fists colliding with the side of TJ’s smug face.

“You motherfucker!” King yells before planting his foot in TJ’s stomach and from the groan that leaves his pathetic body, he’s not moving for a while. King’s eyes come to mine as the tears begin to form behind my eyes from the relief of being out from under him. “You okay?”

I nod, not having the voice to speak just how grateful I am he’s here. King goes toward TJ one more time, but I hold him off, shaking my head when his eyes meet mine.

“Don’t. He’s not worth it.”

I can see the war waging inside him, but after a few seconds, he concedes and leads me back into the hospital.

“You gonna tell me what that was about?” he says as we enter the elevator.

I take a deep breath and shake my head.

“Once Josh is okay and we talk, I’m sure he’ll let you know.”

I can tell he wants to argue, but the doors open and I walk away, heading directly toward Josh’s room. When I get there, Mel is sitting by the chair next to him and Will is leaning against the far wall, eyes directly on my best friend.

“How is he?” I ask as both sets of eyes land on me.

Mel’s head tilts as her gaze assesses me and I know from her concerned look she can tell something happened, but I shake my head silently, letting her know I’ll tell her later.

“No change,” she says, getting up from her seat and walking toward me. “But I’m going to head out, I have an early morning tomorrow,” she says with a wink and I give her a hug.

“Let me take you home,” Will states as Mel’s entire body locks, her shoulders bunching as she turns and stares daggers in his direction.

“No thanks, I’d rather walk.” And with that, she gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and is out the door before either of us can say a word.

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