Page 46 of Break my Heart
No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop thinking about her.
She’s not what I expected.
And that’s the problem.
After everything she confided this afternoon, I’m unsure how to move forward.
Or even if I should.
What can’t be denied is that she’s been to hell and back.
The last thing I want to do is inflict more damage.
The funny thing is, she doesn’t come across as someone who’s fragile, but deep down, I think that’s exactly what she is.
I drag a hand through my hair.
I really need to think about this.
She’s not a girl I can fuck around with and then flee the scene of the crime.
There’s also the fact that she’s Coach’s daughter.
If I have any brains whatsoever, I’ll cut my losses and avoid her for the foreseeable future.
Graduation is right around the corner, and then I’ll sign my contract and play in the pros. My family will be taken care of. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing.
My family.
But…
I’m afraid it might be too late to bail.
My life has always been complicated.
How the fuck did it get even more so?
As those thoughts circle through my brain, my belly grumbles. Only then do I remember that it’s been hours since I grabbed something to eat. With that, I rise to my feet before throwing on a shirt and sweatpants. I make a pitstop in the bathroom to wash my hands and then head down to the first floor.
I step inside the dark kitchen and stumble to a halt when I find Willow, Maverick McKinnon’s newly minted girlfriend. Our gazes catch as she tucks a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear.
We’ve known each other since elementary school. Her twin brother River and I played hockey on a lot of the same teams while growing up.
My lips settle in a smirk as memories of the first time I caught her sneaking out of our house at the butt crack of dawn after spending the night with Maverick. Given his contentious relationship with her brother, it had been a shock.
Especially since Mav hadn’t known the identity of his one-night stand.
I’m not gonna lie, watching their relationship play out with all the secrets and subterfuge had been hilarious.
A small smile simmers around the edges of her lips as she rolls her eyes. It’s like she can read the thoughts in my head.
I’ve always liked Willow. She was diagnosed with childhood leukemia in high school. She’s been in remission for a couple years now, and it’s nice to see her thriving. I’m glad she and Maverick worked out. He’s a good dude, and he seems to genuinely care about her.
River, on the other hand?
He’s not as thrilled about his twin’s new love interest.
From what I’ve seen, they’re both trying to get along for Willow’s sake.