“He didn’t even check on me or wait to talk to me this morning,” I mumble into the phone.
Unbelievable. I was willing to let bygones be bygones, knowing both of us got carried away last night; me with my anger over seeing JD and how he still affects me, and Knox with his jealousy. Knox leaving now without so much as a good morning or at least discussing last night just ticks me off.
“Asshole.”
“Which asshole?”
“I think I need to end things with Knox.” There. I said it.
“What the fuck did he do to you?” Austin blasts over the phone, immediately laying blame on Knox’s shoulders.
“We sort of had a bad moment last night. But honestly, as much as I care about Knox, seeing JD again made me realize that I’m not over him. I don’t think I ever will be. It’s not fair to Knox. I’ve been deluding both of us thinking I could handle a relationship with him.”
“Shit, Rory. Please tell me you are not considering going back to that jackass.”
I walk over and plop down into one of the balcony chairs, tucking my legs under me. “Just because I may end things with Knox doesnotmean I’ll be falling back into JD’s arms.”
Austin sighs heavily. “That’s what you say now. I have a feeling that JD’s return is not coincidental. I did some digging this morning. He’s not going back to the game.”
I curse my stupid nonexistent heart for feeling emotional about that.
“I think he’s come home for you, Rory,” Austin finally says.
My stomach flutters wildly and I shut that shit down fast. “Why do you think that? He could just be visiting his family or something.”
“He’s not. His dad passed away…”
I feel nothing when I hear about Mr. Hallstead’s passing. The man was a monster.
“…and JD didn’t even attend the funeral. He’s here to stay, Rory, but not for his family.”
I swallow a few times, my mouth suddenly dry. There’s more to this story. “Why would you think that?”
“Because, as of this morning, JD was hired to be the new sports director for the community center.”
Son of a bitch!
Chapter 36
“Nice office,” I say, leaning against Prez’s door.
He looks up from his computer screen, a scowl on his face. “Good to know they let whatever riff-raff walk into the building. I’m busy.”
I knew I would have to corner Prez just to get a chance to talk to him. I figured his office would be a good place, knowing he wouldn’t cause a scene at work. Score a point to me for cleverness.
“I just want to talk.”
Prez pushes his rolling chair back from his desk. “You’re five fucking years too late. Please leave. I don’t want to listen to anything you have to say.”
“Oh my God. Is that JD Hallstead?” I hear someone say from down the hallway. I’ve been able to avoid fanboys and paparazzi so far since I arrived. My luck at keeping a low profile and not being recognized might be running out.
Stepping inside and shutting Prez’s office door, I take a stance in front of his desk, placing my palms flat on top of it and leaning over. “You’re going to hear me out and then I’ll leave.”
We stare each other down until he relents and crosses his arms in front of his chest. “You have five minutes.”
I’ve missed Dustin and Prez. We had been friends since elementary school. Played football together for just as long. Prez used to be the jokester of our trio. Carefree, didn’t take anything too seriously. Times have changed.
“I want to explain why I had to leave and why I stayed away.”
