Page 45 of Her Second Chance

"You like the challenge. Trust me. When you win the national championship this year, women are going to be throwing themselves at you. You'll forget I even exist." It pains me to say that, but I know it’s true.

"I may be letting you go, but that's because I have to. In another life, I'm going to find you and make you mine. It will always be us."

“I’m sorry.”

“Goodbye, Hannah,” he whispers.

He walks away, leaving me standing with my mouth hanging open. The sob I’m holding back breaks free. I know ending things with Brock has to be done, but why does it hurt so fucking badly?

Brock

I hate seeing Hannah frown. Her forehead is creased, and her face is marred with sadness. If only I could reach her. Maybe then I could bring her with me, but she refuses to come back to me. As much as letting her go is killing me, hanging on is even worse.

I close my eyes and try not to cry. "Goodbye, Hannah," I whisper, my voice cracking.

Why does letting go feel so wrong when it's the only option I have left?

Chapter 22

Hannah

I try not to let the sting of Brock's words show on my face when I turn back to Jason. Fortunately, he doesn't say anything about the tense interaction he just witnessed. Instead, he holds out a hand for me to take, something I do because I’m tired of fighting with Jason. With Brock. With myself.

I’m tired.

"Are you ready to go mingle?" Jason asks.

I smile and nod. "Lead the way." I gesture to the party in front of us.

I spend the entire party trying not to look at Brock. My chest aches when I think of how I let him slip through my fingers. Now I have no reason to stay.

By the time Jason is ready to leave, I am physically and mentally exhausted. Watching Brock flirt with other girls felt like a knife through my heart. The worst part was when Misty glued herself to his side. Jason seemed to notice, which made me wonder if he had something to do with it. I know that girl has the hots for him and would do anything he asked. What I don't understand is what Brock could possibly see in her.

When we get back to my dorm, I'm still reeling from watching Brock avoid me and drag my heart through a meat grinder. All I want is to curl up in my bed and cry.

"Well, I’ll see you around,” I say, leaving him standing on the sidewalk. I don’t wait for him to say goodnight. Instead, I race to my dorm room, forgoing the elevator and taking the stairs. I’m done with Jason, but I have to tread lightly still. I want to get his defenses lowered to see if I can figure out what his role in my future has to do with me getting stuck here.

I’m shutting the door behind me when a foot stops it from closing all the way. Surprised, I turn and watch as Jason pushes his way inside my dorm room.

Shit.

Jason grins, and it’s menacing even though I don’t think he intends it to be.

I smile, hoping to cover up my nerves. “Did you need something?” I ask, swallowing hard.

As soon as he shoves the door closed, he lifts me up, wrapping my legs around his waist and gripping my ass. He presses my back against the wall and kisses me. I struggle against him, but he seems to interpret my movements as excitement.

He barely notices when I bite his lower lip, causing it to bleed. I dig my fingers into his neck, and he jerks his mouth off mine.

“What the fuck, Hannah?”

Thankful for the reprieve, I push him away. I’m so stupid for letting him push his way inside the room, but the wheels are in motion, and I don’t know how to stop them. I'm a grown woman and still don't have a clue how to make my life something I want it to be. How pathetic am I?

I push him away. “Stop.”

He ignores me as if he doesn’t hear my command, pulling me into a kiss as he presses me down onto the bed.

I don't want this. I don't want him. The realization of the mess I’ve gotten myself into hits me hard. I should’ve been firm with him and ended things instead of letting him think we could be friends.

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