“Seattle. I can’t get them on the phone. They are refusing my calls and would only tell Coach that they didn’t see any potential on the team.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. He knows why he isn’t hearing back. He cannot be that dense, right?
“Why would you? Reagan made her stance clear, they aren’t interested in you,” I finally remind him.
“Yeah, but they were before you went and fucked it up for me,” he snaps.
I laugh sarcastically. “Before I went and fucked it up? Seriously? You’re the one who approached us and made a fool of yourself. I had nothing to do with it. Your actions have consequences. I’m sorry if you are finally realizing that.”
“Come on, Lyla. I need you to reach out to her and convince her to give me another chance. They were interested before, and they can be again. I just need you or Wyatt to do me this solid.” He waves his hand toward my body. “Do whatever you have to to convince Wyatt to help get me back on their radar.”
My whole body tenses.
“Did you just tell me to use sex to try and get my boyfriend to help you?”
Kyle shrugs. “It’s for our future. Think about that. When I get drafted, we can get your dad into a home, and you can be free to live your life again. No more being tied to the house all the time. You will have everything that you always wanted.”
My blood is boiling. I am really considering if it’s worth decking him. It would feel good internally, but I am not one hundred percent sure I wouldn’t break my fist. Instead, I let my words do the lashing for me.
“Absolutely fucking not. Not only is that demeaning, but it’s disgusting. Just a couple weeks ago you were demanding that we get back together and convinced that we were meant to be, but now you’ve switched gears and you want me to try and sexually exploit my current relationship for your benefit? Have you lost your mind? Did you get knocked in the head again?” I spit out.
Kyle sighs, rubbing his hand down his face. “Stop being dramatic, Lyla. This is the least you could do after flaunting your relationship all over campus. You know the shit I am taking because you want to be with him? I know you will be back, so I’m dealing with it, but you have to give me something in return. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Let me make myself clear, Kyle. Neither Wyatt nor I will be calling Reagan to tell her that they should give you a chance. You ruined it, plain and simple. I never, and I mean never, want to see you again. If you see me, do me the courtesy of walking the other way. I never want you to contact me again, and if you try, Iwill be taking out a restraining order. We are no longer together, and I need you to move the hell on. I know I have.”
I push past him and walk away.
I’ve said my piece, and now he knows exactly where I stand. As much as I didn’t want to have that conversation, I’m glad I did. Now we both know where the other stands, and it feels like I’ve closed that chapter of my life.
Even though I’m glad it’s over, a small part of me is still angry for being set up. The audacity to ask me that.
Seriously, fuck him.
When I pull up outside of the hospital, Lyla is already waiting. Putting the car in park, I jump out.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” I say as I open her door.
Lyla walks over to me with a smile. She comes to a stop and places her hand on my shoulder and reaches up and kisses me. For a split second, I freeze. It still feels surreal for her to initiate intimacy with me. Especially when no one we know is around. It makes me feel like she isn’t faking it anymore. Lord knows I never was.
Before she can pull back though, I kiss her back. She hums under her breath as she breaks free.
“You weren’t late. I just got out early,” she murmurs.
She slides into the car, and I shut the door. Moving, I get back into the car and start to drive.
“How was your day?” I ask as I pull out onto the road.
She reaches over and threads her fingers through mine. “Better now that I’m with you.”
I don’t know what happened since I saw her last, but it has changed her. Sure, we have been acting more like a real couple lately, but today something has shifted. There is a lightness in the air that wasn’t there before. Maybe she finally realized that she wants this to be more. I hope that’s what it is.
I want this to work. I need it to.
“Do you want to do anything before I have to rush you home? I don’t want you to turn into a pumpkin on me.” I wink.
Lyla tips her head back and laughs as we come to a stop at a stoplight. I can’t help but look over at her. Even dressed in scrubs, face bare of any sort of makeup, she looks gorgeous.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe she’s mine. After all the plotting and planning, she’s finally holding my hand while sitting in my passenger seat.
