When Aston helps me up, he knows it too.
After practice, I rip off my pads harder than necessary. And yeah, I know it’s not a good look for me as a leader.
Aston watches me from his locker.
“You gonna tell me what’s going on?” he asks casually, like we’re talking about the weather. “You’ve been off pretty much the entire time we’ve been here.”
“Nothing,” I snap.
He snorts. “That’s cute. You forget that I’ve known you for a long time.”
I ignore him.
He doesn’t stop though.
“Seriously, what’s going on?”
“I’m fine. Leave it alone.”
“You just threw two balls like you’ve never held one before.”
My jaw tightens. “Back off, Griff.”
He stands slowly, not aggressive, but not backing down. And if it were anyone else, I’d probably be more pissed that they were butting into my business.
“This isn’t about football.”
I glare at him. “You think I didn’t notice?” he continues. “You’re distracted. And when you get distracted, it trickles down. You know how this works.”
I step closer. “Leave it, okay?”
“I’m just sayin’,” he says evenly, “that whatever’s goin’ on off the field needs to get handled. Because you don’t get to spiral and drag the rest of us with you.”
The truth in what he’s saying stings.
I shove my hands through my hair, pacing a few steps before turning back. My pulse is loud in my ears.
“It’s Alie. Aaron talked to her.”
Aston’s expression shifts. “Muldoon?”
“Yeah.”
His whole posture changes. The casual lean disappears. He straightens slowly, hands settling on his hips as his brows knit together. “And? What’s that have to do with you?”
I exhale hard through my nose.“He’s the reason I didn’t know about Seraphina. And he’s trying to convince her that I’m lying to her when it’s really him lying.”
Aston’s face darkens. His hand curls into a fist at his side, knuckles whitening.“Motherfucker.”
“Yeah.” I huff a laugh.
“And you can’t leave.”
“Exactly.”
He exhales slowly.
“I get it, but you can’t be snappin’ at Coach like you did today.”
