I didn’t want to let either of them down.
When I walked out to the Jeep, she was leaned against the bumper. Motor and Carver were standing on the other side of the lot, watching as I walked up and greeted her. “Hey,” I said. “I didn’t expect you still wanted to talk to me.”
“Yeah, well, I didn’t expect a text last night.”
“You must have been busy.”
“I was.”
She had probably moved on to someone else and wanted to be the first to tell me. “I see. Well, it’s cool. I mean, Coach wants me to focus on the game, and I don’t have time for much else.”
“Oh, well, I was just studying for a big test, but the good news is, I think I passed it.”
I immediately took back my words. “Cool, that’s good news. I thought you like moved on or something since I didn’t handle yesterday so good.”
“No, I’m not really that sought after,” she said with a giggle.
I heard an engine roar and glanced over to see Carver speeding away with Motor beside him.
“What’s their problem?” she asked.
“Just locker-room bullshit. Don’t worry about it.” I could handle those two, but I didn’t want her to worry about me. “Do you want to go out later?”
“I can’t. I have plans with Abi.”
“Abigail, huh?” I wasn’t sure if she was really going to hang out with her friend or if maybe she had a date. “I’d like to see you. Can’t you tell her you’d rather go with me?”
“I promised. I’m sorry. Another time?”
I couldn’t help but be disappointed. “Yeah, sure. I’ve got to keep my head in the game anyway. I’ll catch you later.” I walked to get in the Jeep, and she went around to her own car as I got in mine.
I didn’t bother looking her way, no matter how hard it was. I waited for her to drive away, and I punched the steering wheel so many times I’m surprised the airbags didn’t go off. I hated being told no, especially after I had put everything on the line to even talk to her. At least when Motor and his minion Carver went and told Coach I was seeing Avery, I could give him an honest answer—and just the one he wanted to hear.
I looked at my hand that had turned red, and one knuckle was beginning to bruise. I hated my temper, but I just couldn’t help myself sometimes. I knew I had to change and be better, but I also had to try everything I could to get Avery back.
I tried to think of how Layla would have told me to handle it. Action spoke louder, huh? I had to prove to myself that I was doing my best. Being patient was the first test.
Chapter 5 Avery
After another long talk with Abi over dinner and a movie, I decided that my next move was to tell Seth exactly how I felt and why I had been so distant.
Practice had me nervous, especially after the second half when Coach Carr left Coach Simms in charge of the men and we all had to run laps around the entire field.
I hoped I’d catch up with Seth, but I didn’t want to be too obvious when we first took off. I ran in a slower jog that I knew he would catch up to easily, and sure enough, after several people passed me up, I felt a nudge.
“How was your date?” he asked.
“Abi was hardly a date, but we did have dinner and a movie.”
“What did you see?”
“Fist Bump. It’s that stupid comedy about those boxers who rob a bank.” I decided not to be rude and remind him that it was the movie I’d wanted him to bring me to on our date.
“Oh, I remember you wanted to see that. I would have taken you.” He seemed upset he didn’t get the chance to.
“It’s fine. I got to see it. It was funny. You’d like it.”
“Yeah, and I thought maybe you’d still like me,” he said, looking down at his shoes.
“I do like you, silly.”
“Well, I feel like something is wrong, and I dare you to deny it.”
“Okay, something is wrong.”
He slowed down and nearly stopped running, but hurried to catch up instead. “I knew it. What the hell happened? Did someone else ask you out or something? Because if that’s the reason, don’t leave me hanging. Just be honest.”
“I like how you think that I have a lot of interest, but actually, sometimes I don’t even know why you like me.”
“Because you’re nice to me, you’re funny, and you don’t put up with my shit. Not to mention, you’re sexy as hell.”
“Me? Sexy?” I had to laugh. I had never been called that before.
“Yeah, don’t even act like you don’t know it.” He shook his head. “So, if it’s not another guy, what is it? Because I’ve tried to be different with you, and I’m still just a fuckup.”
I started to say something but held my tongue. It would do no good to tell him he could be an ass.
“Don’t say it. I know I can be a bit pushy. But if you go out with me, we could talk it over?”
“I’d like that,” I said. “But just know it’s taking a lot for me to give you another chance.”
“Damn, was I that terrible of a date? If so, I don’t know if I can hold to your standards. But I know you can choose the movie from now on.” He gave a sigh, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Coach Simms blew her whistle as we passed her. “Pick it up, you two. I know you’ve got more in you than that.”
Seth smiled. “Your coach is a cakewalk. Coach Carr would skin me
