“I haven’t stayed with her in years.” Again, this is stuff I’ve told him. “I’m going to Kat and Tori’s for winter break. They invited me.”
“Our cousins.”
Someone give this man an award for actually remembering something I told him. “They have farms about an hour away. I’m taking off tomorrow.”
“Before our game?” he asks, incredulous.
“Yeah,” I say slowly and spell it out for him since he’s not connecting the dots. “As I’m not dating a football player, and since I don’t have tickets, I’m not going to the game.”
Besides, I don’t think I can handle seeing hordes of women fawn over Rider. It’ll hurt too much. Never mind what will likely go down at the party across the street after they win.
Oh, God. What if they lose? It’s been such a crazy week for the team. Rider must be going out of his mind.
No, Gabriela.Stop sticking your nose where it isn’t wanted.
Once again, I’m tempted to check my phone and listen to Rider’s messages, but what’s the point? I already know how hetrulyfeels.
When I think about Tuesday night when I saw him with Miranda, what really hurts is how I felt he chose her instead of me. And if there is any truth to what Zoe said, he cut ties with me freshman year for Miranda too.
As a foster kid, I’ve had a lifetime of being passed over. Of being second best. Of not being good enough. Why would I willingly sign up to get hurt again?
I’ll talk to him eventually. Maybe when I get back from winter break. But for now, I need to regroup and find some balance.
My brother jams his hands in his jean pockets. He asks in a hushed voice, “Don’t you wanna see me play? It’s the biggest game of the season. You know UT is undefeated, right?”
What?Turning back to the ice cream, I try to control my breathing so I stay calm. “Ben, you’ve never invited me toanything, so I had no idea you’d want me to come. Especially after everything you shared with me a few weeks ago.”
He shrugs. Shuffles his feet. Clears his throat. “Well, I’d like for you to attend this game. I already gave two tickets to Sienna for you guys to come.”
I stare at him, shocked. “That was really considerate. Thank you.” I push the cart around the corner.
“Does that mean you’ll come?”
“That means I appreciate the effort you made. It was thoughtful. But I’m not sure I can handle going to a game right now.” To my horror, my voice quivers. I cough. “I’ll record it, though. I’m sure you’ll do great. I’ll watch it when it doesn’t feel like my heart is being ripped out of my body.”
I don’t mean to be so honest, but I’m too hurt to care.
“Rider feels really bad about everything,” he says abruptly. “He’s grateful you sent the kid’s grandmother.”
“Great-grandmother.”
“Yeah. I don’t know if you heard, but she was awesome.” He runs a hand over his head. “We’re all grateful.”
“It was the decent thing to do. You guys deserve a chance to play at a hundred percent. Adele’s a wonderful person, so I knew she’d stand behind Rider if she knew the truth.”
Ben grabs my shoulder, and I turn to him. “He really cares about you. Rider wasn’t yanking your chain or anything.”
I don’t want to give Ben a reason to hate his teammate, especially when they have a huge game ahead of them and need to work together. Rider isn’t his problem.
“Listen, I’ve had a horrible week.” I blink until the heat in my eyes subsides. “I’m sorry I can’t go tomorrow, but I’ll be rooting for you. I’ll always root for you.”
His brow crinkles. “But you’re coming back, right? Second semester?”
“Of course. And listen, you’re not going to have to worry about me being in your business anymore because I’m looking to swap sublets with someone who lives on the other side of campus next semester. It’s closer to the school where I’ll be student-teaching.”
That way I can avoid Rider and Miranda.
Because she was probably right—if history proves correct, he always goes back to her. What’s to stop him now?
