And then, his father would pay.
And then, I’d finally be free.
Fuck it.
I took my morning pills dry before pulling on dark jeans that hugged my curves plus a fitted black Marauders t-shirt that I’d cut to show some cleavage. Bright red lipstick and a vicious smile completed the look. Fuckinghot.
Good. Let him see what he’d thrown away for his fucking pride.
Let him remember what it felt like to want me so desperately, he’d blackmailed me for it.
I knew my worth, even if he didn’t, and I would never be his or anyone else’s victim ever again.
Ten minutes later, I slipped downstairs to start the walk to the bus stop in the cold.
Massi waited outside my house in a luxury sedan, leaning on the driver’s side, playing on his phone. He looked up then grinned, his delight at seeing me warming my cold, furious heart.
He fucking cared.
This stranger who I only knew because of my job andbecause I was hooking up with two team members fucking cared.
I wouldn’t cry.
Dammit.
“You look…” He trailed off with a lopsided grin then took my bag without being asked, the gesture so reminiscent of Tristan, my throat closed. “They’re going to regret losing you,” he said quietly. “As they should.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked, bemused.
“It was either come get you myself or risk a fight when Cole decided to get behind the wheel still drunk from last night,” he explained as he slid into the driver’s seat. “Rory asked—” he cut himself off. “Better this way for everyone, right?”
I didn’t want to think about hands and mouths and cruel words that still haunted my dreams.
I hated Cole.
I hated what he’d done to me.
I hated that he hadn’t understood the impossible choice he’d given me.
I hated that he still didn’t.
I hated that I missed the out-of-control and obsessive way he wanted me, as if he’d die if he didn’t get a taste of me.
I hated that I missed the bliss when he seized control, and I could relax for just a goddamned minute, knowing I didn’t have to make any choices when I was with him—because I couldn’t.
And I hated myself for the tendril of disappointment that wound through me when I found Massi waiting for me instead of Cole and Tristan.
We drove in silence.
“Dr. Parker knows you’re coming?” he asked.
“As far as she’s concerned, I never quit,” I answeredsoftly, embarrassed at my temper tantrum and ashamed to come crawling back.
“The team feels the same way,” he agreed. “I don’t know what Cole and Tristan did to you, or Coach,” his voice dropped on the last word, as if he were loath to bring Alek into our conversation, “But we won’t let them bother you again.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, ignoring the conflict that roiled in my gut. Iwanteda barrier between me and my tormentors. Right?
“Eva!”Dr. Parker’s relief at seeing me was so genuine, it made my heart ache. “Welcome back. How are you feeling?”
