Page 78 of Broken Prince

“You think? Why do you think we’ve been going out of our way to avoid her on this trip?”

“I’m sorry, man.” He gives me a pitying look that I hate. “I wish I could help.”

Coach comes in and gives us our pre-game pep talk, reminding us not to fuck up. When that's done, it’s time to get out there and play.

I need this win, I need to show him that even with everything going on in my life, I can still play ball. I have this, I have to have this. I can’t lose my spot on the Florida Bobcats.

There's a way to have everything I want in life, I just need to work harder and smarter to get it.

The sound of the cheering crowd fills me with a rush of endorphins. Who needs drugs when you can have this?

My eyes instantly search the crowd for the accessibility area. I find them sitting there. Benny in his stroller, Laney sitting next to Elijah. She’s leaning in, talking to him. It’s probably hard to hear over the roaring of the crowd. When she smiles, her head tossed back in laughter, I’m hit with a surge of jealous rage. This is my brother, for fuck’s sake. After everything he’s been through, I should want this little bit of happiness for him.

The team jogs over to the bench as the cheerleaders finish hyping up the crowd.

“Good luck, Logan,” Stacy purrs as she sidles up to me.

I look down and frown at where her hand is placed. “What?”

She gives me an annoyed look. “I said good luck,” her words are a little more stiff as her fingers dig into my arm.

“Why are you touching me?”

She steps back, shooting me a deadly look. “Why are you such an asshole to me?” she huffs. “Why can’t you just give me another chance? We could be happy together, you know. Bentley could grow up in a home with two loving parents. A happy, healthy home.”

I can’t help the snort of laughter that slips free. “You and I both know that's bullshit. You don’t love me, you love the money that’s attached to my name. You don’t want a family, you want things you can own, you can control, you can play with. I don’t want that, Stacy. I don’t want that kind of life for me or my son. I might be forced to have you in my life because of who you are to Benny. But we don’t have to be together for him to be loved and cared for.” Not that he’s getting much of that from her.

“If you would just give me a damn chance, I could prove I can be good for you,” she argues with a pout, as if that’s going to help.

“I’m not looking for a relationship right now, Stacy. And if I was, it wouldn’t be with you.”

“And who would it be with? That trashy little stepsister of yours?” she laughs as if it’s the most ridiculous thing ever. “Don’t think I don’t know about her. What was your dad thinking, bringing some young teenage girl into your house?”

“First off, Delaney isn’t trashy,” I refute defensively. “And she’s nineteen and the daughter of his wife. Was she just supposed to leave her behind? She’s family, Stacy, she has every right to be living in that house.”

“So, do you fuck all your family members?” She curls her lip.

“I’m not fucking her,” I snap.

“Maybe not now, but I’m sure you’ve thought about it. How could you not? Pretty young thing traipsing around your house. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tries to get with all of you, your dad included.”

“Like you have room to talk,” I snarl, hating the way she talks about Laney. “Also, stop going around and assaulting people like a fucking child throwing a tantrum. It looks bad on you.”

Stacy’s nostrils flare as she steps closer to me. “Watch how you talk to me, Logan. I could make your life a living hell if I wanted to.”

“You already fucking do.”

Now is not the time to be doing this, I’m about to fucking go out and play. But this girl, this fucking bitch, just gets on my last nerve.

“Cross, let’s go!” Coach shouts.

My eyes flick up to find Laney watching us. Her mouth is turned down in a frown, eyes on where Stacy still has her damn hand on my arm.

I jump back as if I’ve been stung. Stacy looks out into the crowd with a frown. Thankfully, I don’t think she spots Laney.

Turning my back to Stacy, I head over to the team, boiling with pure fury. Let’s just hope I can work out some of this anger I feel on the field. If not, it might just be the very thing that costs us this game.

Deleany