He began drills following Paul’s lead, and I found myself unable to take my eyes off of him. I went to stand on the sidelines, and when a stray ball came my way, I caught it.
Coach Carr blew his whistle, and I threw it back in. Seth shook his head and looked like he had something on his mind. I couldn’t tell if he wanted me there or not, but it didn’t matter either way. I was still a part of my team, and my coach still expected me to act like it.
When the rest of the ladies’ team came out, they lined the field, helping with stray balls and some even filling in to help with passes.
The coaches were not cutting anyone any slack, not even my teammates. As Coach Carr blew his whistle and went to talk to two of his players, Seth eased his way over closer to where I was standing.
“You shouldn’t be out here,” he said. “You’re still healing. You’re only days out of the hospital, for fuck’s sake.”
I didn’t like his tone. “Don’t pretend you care,” I said, noticing my coach was watching him like a hawk. “The only thing that hurts is the broken heart, and that’s your fault.”
He gave me a hard look, and even though it seemed he wanted to say something, he didn’t. What could he say? He knew I was right.
He ran out onto the field to run the next drill, and Paul came over to the sidelines. “You know, maybe you should go. He’s already having a hard enough time without you rubbing salt in his wounds.”
“His wounds are fine,” I said, glancing his way. “And he’s the one who caused this. Besides, I belong here too.”
He ran back on the field when Coach Carr blew his whistle. I watched them continue with their drills, and finally, they had us all run laps.
The other girls complained because I had a pass to walk. I took my time so I didn’t get hurt, but I would have gladly run with them just to be normal again.
As Seth ran by, he called out to me. “We need to talk, Avery.”
I turned my head and refused to acknowledge his presence as the other players ran by. He had to keep up, so he followed, but on his second pass, he started when he was within earshot. “I’m not giving up on us,” he said, coming up behind me. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Give up, dick, she doesn’t want you,” said Motor as he passed us both. He was just a big, dopey oaf, and Seth turned and gave him the bird.
“If you’d talk to me, you’d see.”
I sighed, feeling the ache in my heart. I wanted it all to be a lie, but I knew better. “I saw the proof. Leave me alone, Seth.” Just saying his name made my throat ache from the lump that had formed there. I’d be glad when the season was officially over and I never had to look at him again.
“Keep running, Mr. Mills,” called Coach Simms. She was hovering like a mother bird, waiting to swoop in if needed.
Seth ran, and again making another pass, he spoke to me again, this time his words stinging much worse than before. “I still love you, Avery. I do. It’s not changing. This is all just a big misunderstanding. We’ve been sabotaged.”
“You are the one who sabotaged it, Seth! Not me!”
I couldn’t take it anymore, and instead of walking, I turned and jogged off the field and headed back to the locker room. I took off my cleats and buried my head in my hands to cry. All I’d wanted was to hear that he loved me, but now, it was just another lie. Another way to get me to love him back so he could deceive me.
He probably got off to it. Some guys liked to break hearts, and maybe it was all just part of his game. He had never loved me. He had never cared. All he cared about was making a scene and being the slut of the party. He could do all of that without me.
I’d gladly step aside for his next victim.
I went ahead and left while he was still on the field, knowing if I stuck around, Seth would only be waiting for me after practice.
As much as I had my doubts, I just couldn’t bring myself to listen to him. Whatever he had to say, it wasn’t worth it if it was all lies.
He had fed me too many already, and he could save them for someone who was willing to chew them up and swallow them down.
Chapter 26
Seth
Even though I’d tried my hardest to convince everyone that things were fine, I was hurting inside. And with the big game starting in the next fifteen minutes, I was waiting by the entrance, ready to take the field with the rest of the team.
There were so many people there, and a lot of our Pro-U family and fans were in attendance. I noticed a couple of girls I recognized in the crowd. Britany had been avoiding me, but when she saw me, she gave me a big smile and stopped, being left behind in the crowd.
“Oh my God! Seth! Good luck with the game.” She was as bubbly as ever, and I looked around hoping no one would see us and put us together.
“Thanks. And maybe you would do me a favor.”
“If you go to the big party tonight, I’ll do a lot of favors.”
“What about Will?” I said, rolling my eyes. She had already forgotten all about him.
“Maybe you could fight him for me. I’m sure you’ll win. I heard you already kicked his ass once.”
“Yeah, because of you and your little games. I didn’t think it was funny.”
About that time, I felt a shove, and when I looked up, Dillon gave me a hard look, and Avery shouted, “Pig!”
Clara flipped me the bird.
“Do you see the trouble you’ve caused me? I’m in love with that girl, Britany. And if you were ever my friend, you’d know that. You’d want me happy and tell her the fucking truth.”
“I’m sorry about what happened, but I’m not talking to that Amazon. She’ll kick my ass.”
“She’s not like that. She’s special.”
“What we had was pretty special, wasn’t it? At least I thought so.”
“At the time, yes. But she’s special in a different way.” Coach Carr blew his whistle. “I’ve got to go take the field and get ready to play. Think about it.”
She shook her head. “I’ll talk to you at the party.” She walked away, and I felt as if it was never going to be resolved. I’d never get Avery back.
But as I took the field, I noticed her watching me. I had to win this game, and maybe if I brought home a victory, she would at least take time to congratulate me. If that was all I could earn from her, I had to put my all into the game.
When the game finally began, I played my best. I scored six points right out of the gate, and the crowd was going nuts. Including Avery, who I had only taken a second to take a peek at.
“That’s the way to do it,” said Paul. “Good pass! Good goal!”
I took a deep breath and focused on the game, and when the ball was passed to me, I knew only Motor was going to be in a position to score. I passed him the ball, hoping he was going to make the goal, and he dropped and kicked, sending it shooting to the goal.
Motor grinned ear to ear, which didn’t do much to improve his face, but he walked by and gave me a high-five. “Way to play!”
Carver looked like he had just sucked a lemon, but we were all playing for glory and the championship title.