When we turn around, the perfected softness of his face is long gone, finally showing the real Jordan. “Yeah,” he laughs. “Good luck finding someone who can put up with you. You should be thankful I still wanted you. I spent a whole year dealing with that stupid game you play with Kenneth, your daddy issues, and your inability to have fun like a normal college kid.Baggage.”
I barrel forward, stopped by the grip on my forearm.
“No,” she mutters. “Don’t take the bait. This is what he does.”
Mallory has never needed a hero to swoop in and save her. She’s standing up for herself and taking the high road, although she deserves nothing more than to let hell loose and fight.
Taking her hand, I remove it from my arm and step forward. I revel in the way Jordan shrinks as I tower over him.
“I’m going to say this one time and one time only. Don’t ever speak to her again. Do you hear me? Not a hello, goodbye, or how are you, because she is none of your business. You were lucky, Jordan, because she loved you, and you never deserved a second of it.” I glance at Mallory, who is staring at her feet. “Let her go now, or I’ll make sure you do.”
His fist clenches. “Who do you think you are—”
“You’re right,” I say. “She’s not mine, but whether you like it or not, I’ll always be there for her. Try this again, Jordan. I dare you.”
As his shoulders slump, the air of arrogance slips away. I didn’t expect it to be this easy, so when he gives me a microscopic nod in agreement, I grab Mallory and hold her close as we walk to the soccer training room.
Once inside, she pulls me into an empty room and crawls onto the cushioned table. I look down the empty hallway, searching for a trainer. “I’m going to get Michaela.”
“No!” Mallory practically screams. “Don’t leave me! Please, stay.”
My grip tightens on the knob. It’s the same thing she said in the emergency room. I didn’t leave her then, and I won’t leave her now.
I pull up a chair, but I don’t sit. “What’s happening, Eddie? Let me get someone. With medical experience preferably.”
“It’s… an anxiety attack,” she says through staggered breaths.
“Has this happened before?”
She nods.
“What helps?”
No answer.
“Eddie, this is serious. Let me go get—”
“No!” More quick and shallow breaths. “Nothing works. I can’t… I just can’t figure it out. I’ve tried.” A tear leaks from beneath her trembling hands, streaking over a smooth, dark cheek.
“Five minutes.” I sit down and thank the heavens she swipes away the tear before I can. “In five minutes, I’m going to get a trainer. Are you dizzy?”
“Sort of. There were two of you earlier,” she hiccups. “Two Grays is my worst nightmare.”
“Sounds like a dream come true if you ask me, but let’s keep you horizontal. How are you feeling?”
“My head hurts. I’m cold. I’m scared.Fuck, why did he come back?” Her voice breaks on the last word. “He wasn’t supposed to come back.”
Pure adrenaline, anger, and what feels a lot like hatred course through my veins. I barely reign it in, trying to keep my voice steady for the woman shaking on the table. “He’s gone. He’s not going to bother you ever again. I promise.”
She scoffs. “Why does everyone do that? Making promises they can’t keep. You’re no different, Gray.”
I wrap my hand around hers. “I would never do that to you. About Jordan. About anything.” Hardened eyes full of distrust cut to me, and I hook our pinkies in a silent promise. When she squeezes mine, I exhale. “Let’s try something, okay? I want you to tell me five things you can see.”
Mallory cranes her neck to scan the small room. “The anatomy poster on the wall. A container of tongue depressors. A box of tissues. A rolling stool. KT Tape.”
“Four things you can feel.”
“Callouses on your palm. The cushion. My shin guards. My head pounding.”
