“What I heard was that Seth was so upset over your breakup, he beat the shit out of that guy for no reason.”
“That doesn’t sound like Seth honestly. And our fight wasn’t over Will. He must have done something else to upset Seth.” I knew if I told anyone that he had raised his hand to me, they would villainize him forever. As much as I hated how things turned out, I didn’t want that.
“Well, still. He hit the coach, and that boy had deep anger issues. He’s dangerous.”
“Does this mean he’ll be here? I mean, is Coach Carr going to let him play?”
“He said that Seth and him worked it out. He’s going to play the final, but he’s removing his status as team captain.”
I nodded. “That’s fair, I guess. I’m just glad he’s getting to play. The game means a lot to him.”
“Apparently more than people,” she said. She turned her attention to the other girls and blew her whistle. “Five minutes until field time, girls.”
I went ahead and walked out of the locker room, and when I got to the field, I saw Seth talking to the coach, the two shaking hands.
I stopped cold.
Seth looked up at me. He put his head down and walked away to get in his position.
My stomach tightened as Paul, who was one of Seth’s friends, assumed the role of team captain. Seth glanced my way but tried not to stare too long.
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
