Page 7 of Breakaway

A sheepish grin lifted at the corners of his mouth. “I have all this money, and it felt like a wise investment in my future. I wanted to ensure she never tried to interfere again. I’d do it all over in a heartbeat, even with them nipping at me.”

“Thank you. I don’t even know what to say. Though I’m sorry it made you come out of hiding.” I chewed my lip, guilt crashing into me.

“Don’t be, Baby Shaw. I knew when I did it they would pounce. I just hoped I could stave them off a little longer. I had no idea they would go to such extremes and basically kidnap me and force me onto a plane. Fucking Owen,” he cursed. “I would never intentionally put Reese into a situation like that, but I didn’t want to leave them alone at the airport, either. I’m just sorry about how this came out. Really, I should’ve told you all sooner. You’re my family, and I owe you that much. I know you say you’ve forgiven me, but I will prove you can still trust me if you give me a chance.”

“Of course, Fletch. I can understand why you didn’t want to share all that. But I’m glad you have now,” Reed said. I turned my head, finding his eyes shiny.

“I feel like a self-involved asshole for not noticing what was going on with you,” Dax said. “Whatever you need, Bro. I’ll be there for you.”

Fletcher nodded, his body relaxing beneath me. “I appreciate that. It’s more than I deserve. Thank you, both.”

“So, what will you do now about the board?” I asked, wondering if our happy family would break apart just as it got started. Fletcher smiled for the first time in hours.

“Well, first, I fired Owen, Emila’s uncle. Despite ignoring the company for the past three years, I had Macy do some digging on what Emila had already uncovered. I finally had enough evidence to pull that trigger. There are some things I want to put into place that Emila would’ve wanted, but after that, I’m going to name my replacement and step down. I know Emila hadn’t intended for it to be a vice around my neck, and as long as the company is in good hands, I feel safe stepping away. My place is here with you three and Reese, and wherever that takes us next.”

“We’ll help you with whatever you need. Your stuff is just as important, Fletch.”

“I know, Baby Shaw. Thank you.” He yawned, spurring one out of me. I didn’t even want to look at the time.

“Let’s get some rest. Tomorrow is going to suck.”

No one argued; everyone was too exhausted from this day. Before my eyes closed and sleep took me, I barely made it under the covers.

CHAPTER THREE

Henley

The next few days flew by as the season kicked off with two weekly games. Between everything that’d occurred over the weekend and the heaviness of the story Fletcher shared, I’d been in a funk. I couldn’t seem to find my spark and felt in a perpetual state of grouchiness. Even after winning our game the other night, I still hadn’t shaken the dark cloud hovering over me.

The fear of what the Society might do hung on my skin like a tattoo I’d gotten on a drunk dare. It was entirely my own choice but one I constantly debated.

“Alright, chica. It’s time to shake the attitude. All the boys are blaming your menstrual cycle. If I hear one more comment about being on the rag, I’m going to smack a child, and that’s not good for my image,” Scar said, throwing her arms over my shoulder.

“Because a woman can’t be upset without it being her period,” I scoffed.

“We know that, but you’re giving the teen know-it-all shits ammo. Who do I need to call down here to give you some oral so you can turn this frown into a smile?” she asked, pushing my mouth up into a grin. Scar made funny faces at me, rendering me helpless to ignore them.

Barking out a laugh, I smiled as she did a victory dance. She cupped her mouth and shouted down the hall.

“You owe me five bucks, Cromwell!”

Scar linked her arm with mine to drag me further down the hall toward the fitness room I’d been headed to, all smiles now.

“Do I even want to know?” I asked, peering at her from the corner of my eyes.

“Probably better you don’t,” she teased, smacking a sloppy kiss on my cheek. “But seriously. If you need a girl’s night, just shout. And maybe, in the meantime, you can work on not taking your feelings out on others? I won’t tell you to snap out of it because that’s bullshit. You feel what you need to feel, babe. They’re your feelings. But… because they’re your feelings, it’s only fair if you manage them and not take them out on everyone else. Kay? Good talk.”

Scar patted my cheek and hugged me quickly, smacking me on the ass before she skipped out of the training room in a whirlwind of sass and ass. Sometimes I envied Scar’s ability to be so positive, but I knew that wasn’t fair. She’d fought her own battles, working hard to reach a healthy mental space. I wouldn’t dismiss her fight just because I was jealous of it.

Besides, she was right. I couldn’t expect to feel better if I was ignoring everything by shoving it aside. Nor was it fair to make everyone else suffer.

Stepping into the fitness room, I didn’t miss how everyone eyed me, hesitant about how I’d respond. Shit. I’d been so consumed with my crap that I hadn’t noticed its effect on the others.

“I’m not on my period. Stop blaming women’s irritation on her menstrual cycle,” I told the students. A few blushed while others dropped their heads. “That being said, I’m sorry for my negative attitude this week. I have a lot going on and didn’t manage it well. That’s not your fault, and I’ll do better. Now, we have a big game tomorrow, so let’s focus on conditioning and continue our winning streak.”

The team nodded, and I caught Dax smiling at me from the front. He gave me a beautiful smile, setting my heart racing and butterflies dancing. Dax’s emerald eyes shined, his blond hair tied behind his head for training. With his tank shirt on, his golden skin showed off his stacked muscles, arms I knew could do seductive things to my body. Paired with his loose gray joggers, I had to focus on the machines, so I didn’t start panting like a dog in heat.

“Alright, Blizzards, you heard Coach. It’s time to show me what you got. Fall into your stretches before we work on glutes today.”

---