‘Emily is not important.She is no longer a problem for you.You can move back in here.’
My mouth is dry, and fear slowly spreads through me.She did this so I would move back in here?
‘I know it was wrong.I just didn’t know what else to do.I never wanted to hurt you, but I couldn’t help how I felt about you and you needed my protection.It made sense in my head …’ Her voice cracks.She looks so meek, like she would not be capable of hurting a fly, let alone do all the things she has.
‘You can’t build a relationship on lies and manipulation.You can’t trust someone who built a friendship … relationship … on lies.’Tears run down her face and I shake my head, moving towards the wall and side-stepping her.‘I don’t ever want to see or hear from you again, otherwise I’m going to the police.’
‘Nora …’ she sniffles, reaching for me.Her hand is cold as her fingers curl around my arm.‘Please.I need you to understand.’
‘No, I needyouto understand,’ I snap, yanking my arm back from hers as if she burnt me.‘Do not talk to me.Do not look me up.Leave me the hell alone, or this is going to get ugly.’
The pleading look she is wearing on her face twists into something sinister.She cocks a brow at me, as if daring me to do what I just said I would.
‘Oh, yeah,’ Riley agrees, voice cold.‘It will get ugly.Mark my words.’
I’m shaking as I stalk back to my room to grab my things.I’m trembling so violently, I can barely pick anything up.I’m terrified Riley is going to follow me and lock me in here, not letting me out, but she doesn’t come down the stairs.I bolt out the door and sigh with relief at the fresh air that hits my face.
I sprint to my car and throw myself into it, ready to put as much distance between me and the apartment as I can.
20
ZAYDEN
MY EYES STING WITHa mixture of sweat and exhaustion.
Coach Kennedy has just put us through one of the most gruelling training sessions we’ve had all season.This coming weekend we are playing the Stingrays, one of our biggest rivals, and although we beat them last time, Coach doesn’t want to take any chances.
Sweat clings to my skin and my feet feel heavy as I drag myself to the side of the field where the others are lining up.After sprints and burpees, I’m struggling to catch my breath.Each inhale of oxygen just doesn’t feel like it’s enough.I think I’ve been getting too relaxed with my diet since being with Nora.I get swept up in the dates and wanting to cook for her.I like getting her to try different things and she loves my cooking.It’s a win-win.I’m such a food lover, putting me on a restricted diet is hell.
Coach will kill me if he realises how off track I am with my diet.I spent so much time conditioning myself when it came to diet and self-control, but my priorities have been slipping lately.My mind has been preoccupied with one thing and one thing only: Nora Robertson.
‘Again,’ Coach says.
There’s a shaky inhale around me as the other boys accept his words.He must be stressed about this game, because he hasn’t worked us this hard all season.My muscles scream and protest asI force myself to run forward.This is the last thing I want to be doing right now.I’d much rather be at home, my arms wrapped around Nora, watching a movie.I mentally slap myself.I need to focus.This is exactly what Coach meant about distractions.I’ve been working hard, though, and my grades are better.Nora is incredibly patient with me and explains the work in a way that I understand.
I grind my molars when I hear Coach’s whistle.I’m so sick of hearing that damn thing.The fatigue is getting to me, making me irritated and sloppy with my movements.
After the longest thirty minutes of my life, I stumble into the locker room, feeling a little light-headed.The air-conditioner cools my heated skin.My shirt clings to me like a second skin and I peel it off, eyeing the mud and grass stains marking it.Dropping into the seat, I dig my elbows into my thighs and hang my head, still catching my breath.The boys around me do much the same, which makes me feel better.
Mason is the first to get to his feet, followed closely by Parker.Parker is always in a hurry to leave and doesn’t always make it to practice.I don’t know what sort of agreement he has with the Coach, but he certainly gets away with things no one else does.I’ve tried to make conversation with him, I like getting to know everyone on the team, but he is always in such a rush that it makes it feel like he doesn’t have the time for anyone else.Everyone shrugs the weird behaviour off because he’s the best player on the team besides Mason, and he also has a ‘don’t fuck with me’ look in his eyes that just makes you naturally steer clear.Recently though, we have been playing so brilliantly together, it’s really bothering me that I don’t know anything about him.
The sound of boots being kicked off, water bottle lids being capped and uncapped and the low breathing of others fills the room.There is usually chatter and banter, but the room is quiet tonight; everyone is too tired to talk.
After showering and dressing, Mason and I head towards his truck.
‘I seriously debated faking an injury to get out of that practice,’ I mutter, combing my fingers through my damp hair, my skin still feeling too hot compared to the cool night breeze.
‘I did think you were running funny,’ Mason jokes.‘Least you weren’t dry heaving like Andy.Thought he was going to choke out a hairball.’
‘He did have a weird resemblance to that cat that used to always be in our backyard,’ I muse, and we both chuckle at that.‘Seriously though, what was up Coach’s ass today?Nothing was good enough, apparently.’
‘Dunno,’ Mason shrugs.‘He was relentless.There’s being tough, and then there’s being unreasonable.’
‘I noticed he kept calling out to you, like you were responsible for the lagger.You were the only one keeping up with his commands.’
‘So it wasn’t just me?’Mason asks, side-eyeing me.‘Felt like he was all over me today, and I couldn’t work out why he was giving us all such a hard time.’
‘Like, I get it, we are playing a tough team on Friday, but killing us before we get to the game isn’t exactly a genius tactic.’
