The pep rally lasts about thirty minutes. I cheer with the crowd as they go over all the stats and what they hope for from this season. I try to show Kyle that I am here for him.
When it’s over, I make my way down toward the locker rooms. The security guard sees me and nods me through. It’s a perk of being a girlfriend.
Kyle takes his time coming out, and when he does, he doesn’t look happy to see me.
“I told you not to come,” he tells me.
“I know, but I’m your girlfriend. I’m going to be here for you. I can’t help that sometimes I will be late,” I remind him.
“It’s just starting to feel like this relationship doesn’t mean shit to you anymore.”
“You are being ridiculous. I have responsibilities now. I can’t leave my father alone. It is dangerous for him. You know this. Besides, we are seniors now. We need to start acting less like freshmen and more like the adults we need to be when we leave this place.”
He scoffs. “Speak for yourself. I’m going to go pro. That’s going to be as much of a party as college, if not more. I was planning to take you with me, but it seems like you don’t have the same goals anymore.”
I suck in a breath. “What is that even supposed to mean?”
His eyes narrow. “It means that this is my senior year. I am going to draft at the end of the season and will likely be on a professional team this time next year. I need to show my face. Be present around campus, and I need a girlfriend to be by my side. One who wants to do everything to help me make the pros. Right now, that’s not you.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I growl at him, my anger seeping in.
He sighs, as if I am the one being difficult right now. As if he is not being a complete asshole.
“Listen, Lyla. We have had a good three years. The memories we have shared, they will always hold a special place in my heart, but this isn’t working anymore. I think it’s best we go our separate ways.”
The condescending tone in his voice makes me want to punch him right in the throat. I could do it too. He wouldn’t see it coming. I have never once shown him my angry side.
Then I think of Will and Dad. We don’t have the money to be wasting it on bail. So instead, I take a deep breath to calm down.
“You want to throw away three years of trust and love?” I ask, the words tasting bitter in my mouth.
“Love? Eh. We are in college. No one falls in love in college. It’s time for me to sow my wild oats and all that. You understand, don’t you?”
I hate this man’s face.
Before I can respond, I see Macy, the head cheerleader, walk up behind him, putting her hands on him like she has a right to.
“Hey baby,” she chirps.
I guess she does now. He’s no longer mine. Mine to be jealous over nor my problem anymore. I just wish I would have gotten the memo before now.
“You are a real piece of work, Kyle. Fine, we are broken up, but don’t come crawling back when your gold digger dumps you for not making it pro because, let’s be honest. You were never going to make it. Everyone knows you’re mediocre at best…on and off the field.”
I turn and start walking away, hating the burn of tears behind my eyes. Then I look over my shoulder.
“Oh, and Kyle?” I wait until his attention is on me. “Go fuck yourself.”
With the last word, I storm out of there, evaluating everything that just happened as I start the long walk home.
Am I heartbroken? Not as much as I feel I should be after three years with him. I thought this would hurt more.
No, this feels more like a punch to my pride. Like I should have known better than to get into bed with a man like him.
I will never let a man make a fool of me again. If he wants to fuck other people, then good for him.
I am over his dumbass anyway.
I haven’t seen Lyla in a couple of days. Truth be told, I have been avoiding my normal hangouts so that I don’t have to war with myself about telling her about the cheerleader.
