Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 83550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
But I’m not about to share that with this douchebag.
It’s none of his business.
Ignoring him, I strip off the padded pants and stuff them in my locker.
When he continues to stare, I snap, “Is there something else you’d like to add?”
He shrugs, the picture of nonchalance, but there’s an edge in his gaze, as if something is bristling beneath the surface, scratching to get out.
“Nope.”
“Great.” I strip off my jock and head to the showers.
I’ve always been even-tempered, but I’ve found myself snapping more than usual lately. Everything that’s been happening has been slowly building within me like a geyser.
By the time I return to my locker, most of my anger has drained away.
Half of the guys have already taken off.
“Any interest in grabbing something to eat?” Hayes glances my way as he shoves his feet into slides.
I pull on my hoodie. “Can’t. I’m meeting someone at the library to work on a project.”
“Bummer.”
“Yeah.” It’s probably for the best. I wouldn’t be good company right now. “I’ll catch you back at the house later tonight.”
He takes a step before faltering, his gaze meeting mine. “You doing okay?”
I jerk my head in a nod and force a brittle smile. It feels like I’ve been doing that more often lately. “Yeah, it’s all good.”
“You sure about that? Because I’m here if you need to talk.” He glances down the row of lockers until his gaze lands on Garret. Mine does the same. “We might be teammates, but I have no problem kicking his ass.” Hayes gives me a lopsided smile before raising his voice so that it carries. “In fact, it would be a real pleasure.”
“Suck my dick, Van Doren,” Garret yells back.
“Nah. Too small. I like a meatier cock.”
All right, that does it. My lips lift into a genuine smile when Garret glares and gives him the finger.
Only Hayes would say something like that.
It makes me realize just how much I’m going to miss him next year.
I grab my backpack and head out of the locker room with Hayes at my side. “How’s everything going with Ava?”
My mind is still blown that they’re officially an item. And that Coach didn’t bury him somewhere deep in the woods where his body will never be found.
“Couldn’t be better.”
I shake my head. “Can’t say I ever thought the day would come when you settled down.” There’s a pause before I add, “But you seem happy. I’m glad for you.”
Some of the humor that’s always present in his eyes fades, only to be replaced by solemnness.
It’s a scary look on him.
“I love her,” he says simply. “And one day, I’m going to marry the girl.”
My eyes widen. “Wow.”
“Yup.” The seriousness melts away as he flashes another grin. “All right, man. I’m going to take off.”
And then Hayes is gone, jogging to his Ford Bronco. The truck is a throwback from the nineties, but he loves it. Even when he can afford a brand-new vehicle, it’s doubtful he’ll ever get rid of it.
With a huffed-out breath, I head to the library to meet up with Holland. Even thinking about the green-eyed, auburn-haired girl pisses me off.
All right, so maybe it does a little more than that.
For two years, she’s been an itch I haven’t been able to scratch. An unexpected closeness sprung up between us. One I found myself gravitating to as much as I wanted to run away from it.
By the time I reach the library, the need to see her thrums through me like that of a steady drumbeat.
As much as I want her to confess that she’s the one behind the messages, I want her to admit that I’m not the only one haunted by what happened between us.
5
Holland
ColdAsIce17
Hey, just wanted to say... I get it. Feeling like you’re carrying too much and everyone expects you to keep it together even though you’re barely holding on. Just remember, you don’t have to be perfect for everyone else. Certainly not me.
I read over the message again, letting the words sink into my bones. It’s almost eerie how Ice knows exactly what to say, how he sees straight through my carefully constructed walls to the mess underneath. I’ve never experienced this kind of understanding with anyone else.
Not even Willow.
Most days I feel adrift, like I don’t quite fit anywhere. The weight of responsibility has been crushing me for so long, I’ve almost forgotten what it feels like to breathe freely.
My fingers hover over the screen to reply when a shadow falls across my table. I look up to find Bridger Sanderson looming over me, and just like that, the peace from Ice’s message evaporates.
He drops into the chair across from me without a word.
When my stomach dips, I tell myself it’s irritation and not the lingering attraction I can’t seem to kill. I slip my phone into my bag, trying to ignore how his eyes track the movement.