I closed the locker door and leaned against it. "I'm trained in lethal, hand-to-hand combat tactics. You're not."
"When you fucked with Drakes, you fucked with every Striker on that field." Lindsom hissed sour-smelling breath into my personal space.
"He called you and Mackey nobodies. If that's the guy you want to follow—who's not here, who already doesn't return your texts, and never gave two shits about you—be my guest." I pushed away from the locker and hefted my bag over my shoulder. "He's no fucking friend of mine."
"Don't forget, Mick. We know where she lives."
I found myself on her doorstep after wandering… I don't know how long. It'd already been a difficult conversation with Ella after the confrontation with that fuckhead Drakes. But, we'd agreed to take a step back, to spend time getting to know each other as friends.
It was hard as hell, but it was the right thing—to give her time. And still, we'd been growing closer, soft brushes of hands, her head on my shoulder. When I gave her the mini-roses, the look on her face had been so much, I couldn’t hold myself back.
"How was practice?" She appeared in the doorway; her hands on my elbow pulled me into her apartment. My feet stopped listening to my brain.
"A beating."
"Yeah, seems like you’re a little worn out."
How could I tell her? What should I say?I'm sorry, but Coach is going to bench me unless I find a way to appease Drakes's idiot fan club—my only year to play starting quarterback—unless a miracle happens.
And then there was Lindsom’s threat.
"Don't forget, Mick. We know where she lives."
Bastards. Cowards.
"I found Thai food," Ella's voice soothed me back into the present.
My stomach betrayed me even as the look on her face sucker-punched me in the gut.God, how am I going to stay away?She was beautiful all the way to her core—not like so many others I'd met.
Will she understand? Would she wait?I pressed my eyes closed, trying to stuff the feelings away.
Is that even fair? This ismyfucked-up mess.
We ate in silence, but my brain was determined to torment me with every detail that made me want her.
The way her hazel eyes turned gold in the light—the same color as the sunrise over open water.
How her hand felt in mine.
The way her mouth could be soft and tentative one minute, and hungry and bold the next.
And every reason I couldn't have her.
I gasped for air as my lungs tightened to the point of pain.Rubber legs moved me to my truck. I doubled over as I poured myself inside; my head against the steering wheel, I choked on the acid-like burning that lined my throat.
She hates me.If I lived a thousand years, I’d never forget that look in her eyes.
"Really, Maddox?" Her voice sharp, she covered her breasts with her hands. Her eyes narrowed to slits. “Just get out.”
I hit the ignition switch but couldn't lift my head. My abdominal muscles wouldn't release.I wish she would've hit me. Shit, fuck, dammit, dammit dammit.I smacked my head against the steering wheel.
You chose this.The cold voice—dark and deep and cruel—surfaced from within.It's better this way. She would have seen your scars. Hideous, disgusting.
Doesn't she deserve better?
I hollered at the windshield of my truck. "Dammit!"
“I can’t, Ella. I have to focus, put the team first. That’s not fair to you.”
