‘No!’ I scream, racing after him. ‘You’ve been drinking. Give me the keys.’
‘Don’t,’ he warns, eyes flashing with a stormy fury that I’ve never seen before.
‘Everything is a mess, I know that, but please don’t do this. Don’t get in the car.’
Mason appears beside me. ‘Listen to her,’ Mason demands, sounding a little breathless. ‘Don’t be stupid. Give me the keys.’
‘Fuck off,’ Zayden snaps.
Mason lunges forward, and the two slam into the car, falling to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Zayden tries to push Mason’s body off his, knocking him down to the ground. The scream that leaves my throat is unrecognisable. I’m distraught and I feel helpless watching the two boys I love wrestle each other. Mason yanks the keys out of Zayden’s hand, and in his panic to get rid of them, launches them up into the air. They go flying just past my face, almost knocking straight into me. I rush forward to get them, my eyes filled with tears.
I choke on a sharp inhale as the side of my body knocks against a car I never saw coming. I bounce backwards, slamming into the ground, hitting it harshly. ‘Ow,’ I moan, clutching my head, black dots dancing across my vision.
‘Anya?’ Zayden shouts, scrambling to his feet. He rushes towards me as I slowly sit up, rubbing the back of my head.
‘You okay?’ Mason asks, dropping beside me, touching a hand to my shoulder.
‘Yes, fine,’ I mumble, wincing.
Zayden releases a breath, relieved, and grips my arm as he steadies himself.
39
MASON
ZAYDEN HASN’T SPOKEN TOme in what feels like a lifetime. There’s a weird hollow absence in my chest. It’s an adjustment, since we’re usually with each other most of the time. Even when I was overseas, we FaceTimed so often it felt like we were catching up regularly.
The world around me moves in a blur as everyone shouts at each other, getting ramped up for the game. I stumble out to the field, the noise of the crowd barely audible to me as I scan the grandstands bordering the footy field, searching for her. My gaze connects with her pretty round eyes and she smiles, waving at me. She’s wearing my jersey. Warmth rushes through me. Despite everything, she’s here for me and with me. I love her, and it’s about time I get to announce that to the world.
A harsh jab to my shoulder almost knocks me off balance, and I shoot a glare at Andy, who seems to be targeting me now that Kai has been suspended from the team. They were very close, so I imagine he’s lashing out at me for getting his buddy in trouble. That is the least of my concerns right now.
‘Mature,’ I say with a sarcastic thumbs up. ‘I’m sure we’ll win with that attitude.’
Andy ignores the comment, jogging ahead. Zayden briefly meets my eyes and with a tight jaw, he looks away, making my stomach clench. I hate this. I always knew this would happen. My biggest fear has always been that I’d lose one of them.
Mentally shaking myself, I get my head in the game.
The entire first half is a write-off. Zayden and I often play effortlessly together, and we’re a deadly combination, but today, he’s avoiding me like I have some sort of disease, and the team is suffering as a result. Three times he gets the ball, and I’m ready for him to pass it to me like he always does, but he sends it the other way instead. I stare at him in disbelief when he throws the ball straight towards Andy, who gets tackled the moment his fingers graze it. I shake my head, grinding my molars. I would have got through their defence. They can’t catch me, but Zayden doesn’t want to give me the power.
‘Zayden!’ Coach bellows from the sideline, his words weighted with anger and disappointment. ‘Pull your head in!’
A few of the rival players snicker at each other, and Zayden glowers at me like it’s somehow my fault. I try not to let the frustration get the best of me and continue the game with a clear head, but when Zayden snubs me again, and again, I almost walk right off the field. The first half seems to drag on forever, and by the time I get back to the locker room, I feel dead on my feet.
‘What the hell is going on with you two?’ Coach barks at us, cheeks reddening in anger as his eyes ping-pong between me and Zayden. Heads swivel in our direction as the rest of the team listens in.
We are both silent.
The air crackles in the room. There is so much energy, so much anger, so much hostility. It’s radiating between everyone.
‘I expected much better from the both of you. Whatever this is’ – he gestures between us – ‘fix it, or don’t bother coming back out.’ With a deep frown marring his face, he stalks out of the room. I heave a sigh, hanging my head in my hands.
‘Lovers’ quarrel?’ Andy spits, eyebrows inching up.
‘Can it,’ Zayden gripes.
Running a hand through my sweat-drenched hair, I tug on it in agitation before forcing myself to my feet and removing myself from the group. I gulp down the fresh night air and lean against the wall, steadying myself before we head back out to commence the second half.
‘Zay,’ I exhale as he brushes by me. ‘I know you’re mad at me, but don’t let it ruin tonight. We need this win.’
