Chapter 150
That was the moment I realized. This wasn’t just about the ball or the
crowd chanting my name. This was about decisions. Choices. Splitting
myself between futures that could pull me in opposite directions. And
none of them were easy.
I caught Lexie’s arm and tugged her just aside from the crowd. “I’ll be
back,” I told her. “I need to meet these people first. They came for
me.”
She leaned in and kissed my cheek impulsively. “Okay. Meet us in the
lounge afterwards. We’ll be there.”
And then she was gone, swept up in the crowd, and I turned toward
the scouts waiting for me–my pulse still racing, my head spinning,
my loyalties already stretched thin.
By the time I sat down at the after–game party, beer in hand, my head
felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. Too many hands shaking
mine, too many people slapping me on the back, too many “hell of a
game, kid!” compliments until my jaw hurt from smiling. All I wanted
was to crash into a couch, zone out, and just… breathe.
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Chapter 150
Of course, that was easier said than done. The second Lexie slid onto
the seat beside me–her perfume curling around me, her hand
brushing my arm, her head leaning too close–I knew. Time was up.
Might as well get it over with once and for all.
She leaned her head on my shoulder, sweet and beautiful and hopeful
as hell. God, this was gonna suck. Not that it was tl irst time. I
wasn’t proud of my reputation–ditching girls once things got too
close–but in my defense, I hadn’t even fucked her yet. Which
technically made this one of my more honest and relatively guilt–free
let’s–be–just–friends talks. Yay, progress.
I shifted, nudged her gently. “Lexie… come on, let’s take a walk.”
She grabbed my arm as we walked to the hallway, away from the
thumping music and noise.
I scratched the back of my neck. “Look… I really like you. I do. And I’d
love for us to keep hanging out, get to know each other more. But
right now? That’s all I can give.”
Her face dropped, just like I’d dreaded. “Oh.” She bit her lip, eyes
shining with confusion. “I guess… maybe I was too pushy? I thought
we had a connection. I thought you liked me.”
“Of course I do!” The words flew out of me. “Who the hell wouldn’t?
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Chapter 150
You’re Lexie Hart. Hottest girl in school. You make it really hard to
focus, trust me.” I huffed a laugh, trying to lighten it. “But that’s just
it–I can’t focus. I’m already drowning. I’m the underdog here, the kid
from West Virginia who has to fight for every inch of respect. I’ve got
to keep my grades up, keep my GPA in line, keep grinding in practice,
or I lose all of it. I can’t afford distractions. Even t good ones.”
1
She softened a little, though her lips stayed tight.
“I’m overwhelmed, Lexie. I’m trying to juggle school, football, all the
pressure. And I don’t want to screw you over or make promises I can’t
keep.”
She let out a small sigh, looking down, then back at me with a half-
smile. “I understand. We don’t have to rush anything. There’s time.”
Relief washed over me, though guilt twisted in my gut too.
Then she added almost too casually, “We’ll see you Saturday.”
My head snapped up. “Wait, really?”
Her brows shot up like I’d grown two heads. “Of course! Whatever you and I have–or don’t have–has nothing to do with your career. My
dad wants you there. Everyone does. Noah, you’re amazing. And
people can see that.”
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Chapter 150
Ok! That was easy… I thought. Now, all I needed to do was tell Aiden.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
