Page 110 of Broken Prince
He sighs, giving me a pitying look. “I understand you have responsibilities, but you need to get your priorities straight. The team and your grades shouldn’t be suffering like they are.”
“My grades?” I question. I know they’re not the best, but from my understanding, I’ve been at least passing. It’s only been a little over a month since school started, I shouldn’t be failing already.
“A few of your professors have filled me in that while you're passing at the moment, if you keep going the way you are, you will start to fall behind, and it will be hard to catch up.”
Grinding my teeth, trying to hide my anger, I nod my head. “I’ll try harder.”
Only, I’m doing everything I can. I feel like I’m being pulled in so many different directions. I’m doing my best, but I feel like I could be doing better.
I just don’t know how. Juggling everything at once, I feel like I’m going crazy. I’ve hardly had any time to breathe, to just sit down and relax for a moment.
Coach calls the end of practice, and I head towards the locker room, feeling defeated. Benny’s been up all night, puking with a fever. Melissa was an angel. She knew what to do and kept me from losing my head. I was ready to take him to the ER, but Melissa told me to try a few things before I did. Thankfully, I was able to give him something for the fever and pain because he’s also teething, cutting his first little teeth.
Poor guy’s been feeling bad most of the week he’s been with me.
I hate that I have to hand him over to Stacy in a few days. Will she know how to take care of him? Will he get the treatment he needs, or will she let him cry and suffer?
Just thinking about it makes me sick and frustrated.
We get into the locker room, and the first thing I do is check my phone. There’s a text from the nanny, letting me know Benny is still doing fine and has been sleeping most of the day. Good. Sleep will help him feel better.
“Hey.” Justin steps up next to me and leans against the locker. “How’s B-man?”
“Better, I think. The nanny said he’s been sleeping most of today.”
“You know, if you need any help, I can come over.”
“Nah, you probably have plans. I wouldn’t want you to change them.”
“I do.” He nods slowly. “But I can cancel.”
“What are you up to tonight?” It’s a Friday night, and he’s a college football player. Knowing Justin, he’s probably going to go to a party and hook up with some chick.
He gives me a guilty look as he rubs the back of his head. I glare at him, jealousy filling my veins.
“Again?” I huff out, pulling off my gear.
“I’m sorry! But she’s my friend too. If it really bothers you, I can hang out with her less.”
“No,” I mutter. “Don’t. It’s not fair to Laney. I’m glad she has a good friend like you. I’m just jealous because I wish I could be the one hanging out with her.”
“I wish for that too.” He sighs, taking his gear off next.
“Has she talked to you about anything? Like why she just left?” I’ve asked him this a lot, and every time he tells me the same thing. She’s said nothing but doesn't deny it when he asked if it has something to do with Stacy.
Of course, it fucking does. That bitch gets a hard-on when fucking with my life.
It makes me feel a little bit better that Laney didn’t leave because of me. But I’m fucking pissed that it’s because of Stacy. I hate that she thinks she needs to stay away from us, but it also makes my heart full that she cares enough to protect us.
When Stacy threatened to take Benny away, my whole world came crashing down. I felt like I couldn’t breathe like someone was squeezing the air from my lungs.
I think I scared Laney. It was a lot to put on her, on both my part and Stacy’s. She shouldn’t have to deal with my baggage.
But fuck, Laney has no idea just how much she saved me that night, in more ways than one. I probably would have lost everything by making some stupid choices in the heat of the moment.
“No.” Justin shakes his head as we walk our naked asses over to the showers. “Any time I bring up you or Stacy, she changes the subject.” We get into the showers next to one another so we can keep talking. “But she does ask about Benny. A lot. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve been showing her photos.”
A smile takes over my lips as I turn the shower up. I step under the spray and tilt my head back. She still cares about my son. It warms my fucking depressed heart.