It makes no sense.
I slowly ease myself from beneath her and she flinches, but stays floating around in her dream land. She looks so small in my bed, so heavily guarded by thick sheets and soft pillows.
The caveman from the diner returns grunting one word as he scratches his balls, “Mine”.
I was never the kind of child who fancied the idea of sharing my toys. Even though my multiple nannies tried to teach me the blessed lessons of how sharing equated to caring. I didn’t doubt them, but if sharing was caring then that meant I shouldn’t share, because there were very few things that I cared about.
I ended that train of thought before things started spinning out of control again. With a deep breath, I walked across the room, avoiding the bits of broken glass, as I headed out the door.
After doing laps in the pool for about an hour, I’m shaking with adrenaline and ready to leave. The longer I stay here, the more likely she is to wake up and I don’t know if I can deal with this unfamiliar turmoil right before the game.
The Titan inside me won’t admit out loud what the coward inside me already knows. I’m scared shitless of my feelings, which says nothing about how I feel about hers. I don’t want to deal with the awkwardness of the first ‘hello’ or the sting of rejection which is sure to come. I’ll deal with all that after the game. I need a clear head and superstar focus.
My grumbling stomach leads me in the direction of my kitchen. I don’t know what I expect to find there besides beer and water, but I make the pointless trip anyway.
My mind wanders pass the havoc and lands on an aroma caught in the back of my mind.
When I open the refrigerator, it is lined with Tupperware I didn’t know I had, filled with food I had no knowledge of being cooked and the top shelf has actual fruits and juice.
Neither Jessica nor Suzanne know how to do anything even remotely domestic. Suzie can’t boil water and Jessica’s diet comes in prepackaged boxes.
My mouth waters as I open the first container and see cheese stuffed chicken breasts. The second container has spaghetti and there’s gravy in another and a rough chopped salad in another. Bethany is a fucking chef? My stomach grumbles in anticipation of the food that awaits it. Quickly as I can, I stack my plate.
The microwave quickly heats up the plate and when I dig in; my taste buds answer the question for me. Bethany definitely is a chef. Nothing this wholesome has ever happened in this room and as I near the last forkful I realize I could use another helping, so I go for it.
After stuffing my face, I enter my room to find my bed made…and empty.
Beth woke up, cleaned my room and fled.
Something about knowing that she’s already awake but that she’s avoided me thus far unhinges something rancid in my stomach and I swear under my breath as I cross over into the shower, alone. Memories of how she jumped in to rescue me from myself come back to me and I roll my eyes at how pathetic she must think I am now. The guy who cried because he wants his mama and can’t have her. Yeah, really smooth Maverick. That’s the way to do it.
My shower is quick and I stuff my essentials into the gym bag before rushing out of the flat, not wanting to bump into her.
29
“Well, would you look at that,” Coach exclaims, climbing out of his Camry with a grin on his face. To say I haven’t seen the bastard look happier wouldn’t be much of a lie. Such a pity his happiness has to come at my expense.
He draws nearer, his eyes never leaving mine as he takes in as much of me as he can. He smiles. “You’re actually early for practice. Heck, you’re here and seemingly sober. This is good news all around.” Stepping right up to me, he slaps my back. “It’s good to see you buddy. Let’s go kick some butt.” A grin splits his face before he starts looking around as if he was expecting to see someone else, but I throw my bag over my shoulder and head for the building. This isn’t really the conversation I want to have.
“Where’s Beth?” he asks, and I feel my insides cringe at the mention of her name. Shit. I should have bolted away from him when I had the chance.
Deep breath in. Long exhale out. “She’ll be here later,” I respond, keeping my voice steady and trying to look like I’ve got my shit together. Coach nods, seemingly satisfied. The truth is, I haven’t got a fucking clue whether Beth will be here or not. Sure, Collin had suggested that she come to my games and take photos and all that jazz, but that was before all this drama unfolded. As much as I want to shy away from facing her, a part of me really fucking hopes she shows up.
I chuckle to myself at the realization that I’ve completely lost my marbles. I actually want to see Bethany Hendrickson, at my game.
The world has gone to complete shit and I’m officially a sucker.
Still, I can’t seem to wipe the smirk off my face as I think about her and, if the smile on Coach’s face is anything to go by, I think maybe he knows what’s happening to me. Probably more than I actually understand myself.
The cheerleaders are already on the ice practicing their pre-game routine. I spot my usual troublemakers, skating around on the ice with their pom-poms and short skirts.
Suzie is the first to turn her eyes to me. She waves and Jessica, noticing the movement beside her, looks up. There’s a sheepish smile on her face, letting me know that she’s still willing and ready to do whatever it takes to get back into my good graces. I nod back at them before heading to the lockers.
Jessica has been surprisingly well-behaved these last few days. Something that is very much unlike her. It makes me think that maybe I should be worried. But then again, should I be? What real harm can she actually do? Spill another drink on someone?
She’s not that big a headache. Suzie seems to have moved on to another victim and knowing the sister-wives dynamic between her and Jessica, Jess will probably, hopefully, reattach herself to that unfortunate bloke.
When I enter the locker room, Jared is already sitting on a bench with his stink face painted on, glaring at me. Some things never change.
“It really is a beautiful day outside, mate. You should probably inform your face.” I smirk at him as I move to my locker, but his only response is to hiss at me. A part of me gets it. I’d never be happy being second best, either. But, that’s the thing that differentiates the two of us. Instead of working his ass off to beat me, he’d rather pout around like a little bitch.
Ethan and Marco come in shortly after me, followed by the rest of the team.
“I can’t believe you made it here before me, English man,” Ethan jokes and I grin back, throwing a fake punch at his stomach which he blocks.
“You’re in a good mood.” Marco raises a brow and shakes his head at me. His eyes hold within them a question. I’d give him the answer if I knew how to put into words what the hell is happening to me. I’m still not exactly convinced that as much of this has to do with Beth as my brain wants to give her credit for.
“Pre-game Euphoria,” I say, playing it off with natural ease. “It’s a big day, buddy. Everything hinges on today. I can’t wait to get out there and smoke some tail.” I clap him on the back and roar, a lion ready to make the world his jungle. The sound incites a round of cheers and whoops as my teammates put vocals to the adrenaline coursing through their veins.