Monday started off normal–exactly was what I needed. Classes and then practice.
With Hunter leading the team though, practice dragged on longer than normal, or at least it felt like it. I was drained, both mentally and physically.
Hunter never questioned me about missing practice over the weekend, but I felt like I paid the price with how hard he pushed us. Coach never rode us that hard the night before a game. Hunter had us unsure if we were going to be able to walk, much less play.
While everyone else left the field, I stayed behind and waited on Rhys. He was always there when we finished practices, but it was nearing seven-fifteen and he was nowhere to be seen. Had he not texted me to confirm, I would have assumed he was standing me up, deciding my little breakdown had been too much for him and he was out. But since he had, I laid down in the grass and waited a little longer.
Finally, I heard his car and lifted my head from the ground just enough to see him slamming his door and walking toward me. He wasn’t in clothes for practice, he was dressed in jeans and a graphic t-shirt with flip flops. His hair was done–as done as Rhys’ wild mane ever got–and he had on the watch and bracelets that he’d worn on Saturday.
I rolled to my side and got up, trying to hide the shakiness in my knees so he didn’t know practice had gotten the best of me. He was marching across the field, almost angry, definitely on a mission.
He looked around as if someone was calling his name, but there was no one around but me, standing alone in the goalie box. I probably should have met him at midfield, maybe even tried kicking a ball, but the look on his face made me freeze.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
ChapterSixteen
Rhys
When I showed up at the practice field, I had to pull over on the side of the road before I could go into the parking lot. I wanted to wait for everyone to clear out so they didn’t see me dressed casually. The problem was, the girls looked drained, and took forever getting their stuff together.
Then there was Hunter.
He had followed the girls until he reached the edge of the field, then stood behind a tree while he watched Ash. She was alone, laying down and catching her breath. It took everything I had not to confront Hunter and ask him why he was creeping around. The only thing that stopped me was the likelihood that I would end up punching him, or hitting him with my car. I didn’t want the night to go in that direction.
After ten minutes, he left, trudging back to the locker rooms and offices without saying anything to Ash. I waited till he was completely gone to drive up into the lot and then made a beeline to Ash as if she were in danger unless I was right next to her.
“Get your stuff,” I commanded. “We’re leaving.”
“Wh–”
“I told you to have clothes, Ash. Don’t act surprised that we aren’t sticking around here tonight.”
“You seem angry, what the hell is going on?”
“I asked you that same question on Saturday, and got nothing.”
My face was red, my anger at Hunter getting the best of me. And she didn’t move. Scooping her up by the waist, I threw her over my shoulder like a caveman. I wasn’t going to be able to calm down until I was away from the temptation to find Hunter and ask what his problem was.
“Rhys what are you doing?” She squealed and kicked.
I remained quiet and grabbed her bag, leaving everything else scattered on the field. It would be fine where it was, or I’d send the university everything to replace it if it wasn't.
I didn’t even care.
Getting to my passenger side, I pulled the door open and carefully put Ash down. “Get in.”
She quickly slid into the seat, not arguing with me, though she was clearly annoyed. Her arms were crossed and she was eyeing me like I had gone mad.
I rounded the car to my side, jumped in, and flew from the lot as quickly as possible. Ash just kept her arms crossed and shook her head every so often. Not until I was away from the university did I start to calm down. Turning the music off, and then running a hand down my face to clear my head, I decided I had finally calmed down enough to tell her what got me so upset in the first place.
“I was late because Hunter was leering at you from behind a tree. Hiding, or some shit. I had an early dinner with a teammate and didn’t have time to change. And didn't want him to see me dressed casually and realize that we were not practicing, so I waited him out. But the more he stood there, the angrier I got. Ash, I literally pictured myself ramming him with my car. Dammit, every time I see him, I hate him a little more.”
Without looking at her, I placed both hands on the steering wheel and squeezed, hoping she took my stance as casual. It wasn’t normal for me to feel that way. I had no idea what was happening.
“He’s harmless.”