We end up talking into the night and sleeping in my room the way we used to huddle on the bed the first few weeks after we realized we no longer had parents.
By the time I go to the Raptor’s facility the next morning, I know that I’ll survive this new hell.
The next few days pass in a blur. Benched from games, I show up to practice and go through the motions. Coach watches me with barely concealed frustration. The guys give me space.
Except Marcus.
On Wednesday, he finds me in the weight room after practice, when most of the team has cleared out. I'm running through reps mechanically, pushing my body past its limits because physical pain is better than the alternative.
"Declan."
I ignore him, focusing on the bar above me.
"We need to talk."
"Not now."
He crosses his arms. "Yes, now."
I finish the rep and sit up, sweat dripping down my spine. Marcus glares, his brown eyes searching mine with intensity.
"Ivy called me crying. She said you abandoned her."
"I was trying to protect her. If I'd contacted her, it would have proven the ethics complaint right."
"Did you tell her that?"
"She wouldn't listen."
"Did youtry?" He steps closer, fists clenching. "You made that choice without her."
I slump against the weight bench.
"I love her," My voice breaks, fists curling and uncurling. "I'm in love with your sister, and I don't know how to fix what I broke."
He pauses, then studies me for a long moment.
"Do you actually love her, or is this about winning?"
Rage flares within me. "You think I'd put myself through this for my ego?"
He scoffs. "Is it real?"
"It's real." I pause, gathering my thoughts. "She's the first person who has ever made me want to be better. I love her so much it's killing me."
He cocks his head to the side.
"Then prove it,” he says before walking out.
Pulling out my phone, I open the messages to the King number and read Ivy's last text from this morning.
Ivy:
I miss feeling like myself. Like I matter.
King:
You matter more than you know. You matter to me, and your research matters.
