Even though she didn’t exactly say the words I want to hear, it’s enough to send my heart into a frenzy.
“We’re going to find this sick bastard and take him down. We’re not going to let them win and destroy our future.”
She presses her lips to mine, kissing me gently.
“I’m not going anywhere, Maddox. We’ll get through this. Together.”
I gaze at my reflection, and what stares back is a haunting image. Dark circles rim my eyes and the pallor of my skin is almost ghastly.
Sleep eluded me the last few nights, and I have a feeling I won’t get much more of it until I find out who’s behind this.
Even though someone from the cabin crew most likely provided the video, I highly doubt they were the person behind the threats.
My guess is that it’s probably someone from another team who doesn’t want to see the Dragons win. Or it could be an old hookup acting out of spite, bitter that I never wanted anything more.
Walking back to my locker, I strip off my pre-game suit and change into my uniform. As I grab my phone to lock it up, I receive another text message from Unknown.
Unknown
Don’t even think about trying anything tonight. I will be watching.
If you don’t make sure the Dragons lose, the whole world will see that video.
You wouldn’t want everyone seeing your girlfriend’s smoking hot body, now, would you?
“You motherfucker!” I throw my phone in my locker and slam the door shut.
Fury builds within me at the thought of some disgusting low-life pervert jacking off to Annalise.
Andrés looks over at me. “You good, bro?”
Taking a deep breath, I try to keep the rage within me from exploding. “Yeah. There’s this asshole who keeps leaving nasty comments about me and Annalise on my page. I blocked him, but he ended up making another account.”
“Just ignore those idiots,” Elijah says. “It doesn’t matter what any of them say because you and Annalise are the cutest couple ever. Seeing the two of you together almost makes me wanna get into a relationship.”
“Really?” Andrés and I say in unison, staring at him in disbelief.
“Fuck no.” Elijah rumbles with laughter. “I’m never giving up my freedom.”
“If you’re with the right person, you won’t feel like you’re trapped,” I say. “Don’t you want someone to share your life with?”
“The only thing I want to share with someone is my bed.” Elijah flashes a cheeky grin.
Andrés slips his shorts on, rolling his eyes. “Well, at least one of y’all stopped fucking around. Crazy how a few months ago, you were talking about how great being single is. Now look at you.”
I shrug my shoulders. “I was just waiting for my girl to come back into my life.”
“Alright, everyone, listen up.” Coach walks in, his booming voice silencing the chatter in the locker room. “I need everyone to bring their A game tonight. I don’t want to see any of you slacking. The energy y’all brought during the first two rounds? I need y’all to unleash it tenfold tonight. This is Houston we’re talking about.”
Elijah, fired up, chimes in. “We’re gonna crush them and send them home crying tonight!”
Everyone on the team gathers close, stacking our hands in a unified tower. “Let’s go, Dragons!” we shout in unison as we lift our hands up.
As we step onto the court, the crowd erupts in roars of excitement.
“We love you, Maddox!” a group of fans calls out, waving posters decorated with my face and name.
I manage to give them a weak smile, giving high fives as I pass, but inside, waves of guilt crash over me like a relentless tsunami.
