Page 80 of Cheap Shot

Everything that happened today, then my talk with the coaches, was forgotten until now. There was still so much to figure out with both of them. Things I needed to say.

I wanted to keep holding Haley and put off everything else for as long as possible, but that would only make the inevitable more painful.

She needed her brother right now and in the future. It was best that I took a step back.

“Yeah, no problem.”

I pulled away from her, but she caught my hand. She gave me a look I couldn’t decipher before walking away.

I worried about her all night. I wanted to text her to check how she was doing, but I needed to trust Ethan would take care of her. I waited until nine before going to my room to shower. I thought she would be gone, but she was waiting for me on my bed with her legs crossed.

“Hey,” I took her in from head to toe looking for any injuries.

“Hi.” She looked at her lap. “Can I talk to you, or do you need to get to class?”

I moved toward her and sat on the end of the bed, facing her.

“Before what happened… I spoke with Ethan. I wanted him to accept us together, maybe even be happy for us, but he made me realize something I hadn’t even thought about. Something I should have seen sooner, but I was too selfish to think about anything but myself and what I wanted.”

I squeezed her hands, not knowing where this was going. Ethan wasn’t exactly a ray of sunshine lately, and I could only imagine what he’d said to her.

“He made me realize that I wasn’t thinking about what you needed. This year is probably the most important of your life, and I’ve done nothing but cause drama and distract you. It doesn’t change the fact that I’ve fallen for you, and it breaks my heart to walk away, but it’s what I have to do. For you, and me.”

I closed my eyes and let her words wash over me.

“I’m so sorry, Reid.” Her voice cracked.

With a solid breath, I snapped my eyes open and held hers. “I was thinking the same thing. I’m not sure if being together right now is the best decision for either of us. Coach put some things into perspective for me last night. I need my priority to be the team and my training. I owe it to myself and the guys to give them all my attention and energy.” I clenched my jaw. “This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but you deserve so much more than I can give you right now.”

Her head tilted to the side and a single tear slid down her cheek. “I know. I know better than most what you’re going through. I told myself I could handle it, but that doesn’t make it the right decision. I didn’t stop to think how hard it would be on you.”

My stomach tightened, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I hated seeing her hurting and because of me. This wasn’t what I wanted, but it was what had to happen. “This doesn’t have to be it. We can see how we feel when the season is over.”

She nodded and tried to smile, but it fell flat. “You’re right.”

“Maybe we can try just being friends for now?” I hated those words, but I’d rather have her in my life at a distance than not at all.

“I’ll think about it.” She slid off the table and went to the door. With one last glance, she turned and left to find her brother. The only man she needed right now.

Chapter 27

Haley

I told Reid I would think about his offer of being friends, but that ended up being a lie. I couldn’t think about that or him or our future without my emotions washing over me. I was sick of crying. Sick of constantly being on the verge of another breakdown.

There hadn’t been any news from the officers I spoke to or the city police about arresting Jay. The fear of him finding me again kept me from leaving Ethan’s room. The girls had come over twice to visit and drop off notes from my classes for me. I appreciated their help almost as much as the space they were giving me.

I could tell they wanted to press for more information about what was going on, but I wasn’t ready to talk. Not about Jay or Reid.

The door swung open, and Ethan stepped inside holding a bag of what smelled like Thai food. “Hey, hope you’re hungry. I couldn’t decide what sounded good, so I got three different curries and pad thai.”

I stood from his desk and took the bag, peering inside at the pile of white containers. “It smells amazing.”

He dropped his duffle near his closet and ran his hand through his damp hair. “Are you staying on top of your assignments?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m actually ahead now.”

He grinned and took out the plates and utensils while I arranged the food. “Good, at least one of us has hope of leaving here with a degree.”