Jared drops his head back, eyes closed like he’s mentally counting to three. Actually, I think he’s counting to three because he doesn’t respond for three seconds. “Okay, back on topic. My sister has a name. Two, don’t ever call her that again, or I will literally drop kick your ass on the field.”
Beckham lifts his hands up, towel hanging off his shoulder like he’s surrendering. “Chill bro. She’s a nice girl, I respect her too much.”
“So why are we talking about my sister?” Jared follows up, his brows snap together. “Did anyone say shit about her?”
I choose silence. Beckham doesn’t.
He juts his chin at me as I’m changing my shirt to a clean one. “Your boy was staring at her during their practice.”
Great, now I’m going to get dropped kick. “I wasn’t staring. She’s got mad skills.”
“Better than Cassie?” Beckham mutters under his breath.
“Why are you bringing her up?” I throw a dirty towel at him. He catches my towel and throws it in the basket.
“Little birdy told me she’s been trying to get back in your good graces,” he shrugs.
Jared slams his locker, bringing our attention back to him. He lifts a finger like we’re children going into timeout. “Anyone going to answer me about my sister?”
“No one’s talking about her.” Beckham sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. A flash of relief hits Jared’s face. Something to ask about later.
“But,” Beckham continues, “I think Ty issmittenby her.”
I slam my locker, slinging my bag over my shoulder with Jared and Beckham following suit as we head out of the locker room. “Fuck off, I hardly know the girl.”
Beckham shoots me a smug smile. “I’m just saying, she’s a nice girl. I like her.”
Jared halts his tracks and sends a death glare at Beckham for his comment. “You arenotdating my sister.”
“Down boy, ImeantI like her as a person.” Beckham raises his hands in the air.
“Damn right. You could be the last guy on Earth and I still wouldn’t set her up with you.” Jared snaps. We continue walking out of the locker room until Jared and Beckham halt their steps. “Catch ya later, we’re heading for films.”
We exchange brief hand slaps. “Later.”
My friends disappear through another set of doors, heading for the film room. I’m halfway down the hall until a very familiar figure blocks my path.
“Hey.” Cassie greets me, her hand caressing my upper arm.
And I don’t feel it. Her voice, her ‘hey’ used to make my days. She was everything to me. But now, I felt… nothing.
I scratch my brow, hoping my face doesn’t show how uncomfortable I am. “What do you want, Cassie?”
“I wanted to say hi. I haven’t talked to you in a while.” She puffs an exhale and crosses her arms. I can tell she’s getting defensive. “And you know what I want.” She brings her hand back to my arm, caressing it up and down.
I shake her hand from my arm as I breathe out heavily. “I don’t want what you want.”
“Ty, I’m sorry for how I acted before. But I’m r–”
My face twists at her too-little-too-late apology. “Stop it.”
“Tyler, I…”
She stops herself as I rub my temples, trying to mend down the headache that’s creeping up. “May I remind you that you didn’t want a relationship.”
Cassie flinches at my sharp tone but offers nothing in response, so I keep going.
“You played me and like a fucking fool, and I let you.” I rake my hands through my hair, messing it up in the process. “It’s kind of late to apologize.”
