Chapter 49
Preston
“Jagger knows about us.”
The truth tumbled out, the pain in my chest sharp as I gauged her expression.
“What do you mean he knows?” she asked, her posture stiff.
I scrubbed a hand across my face. “He saw me coming out of your room the night you got sick. He was on the floor for a hookup…”
Her hands flew to her face. “No.”
“Yeah. He said some things in the elevator about you, and I reacted.” Shame lit me up. “I let my anger get the best of me. It was all he needed to know something was going on.”
“So why hasn’t he said anything?”
I moved to the living room and dropped down on the end of the sofa. She followed but sat on the chair next to me. The distance irked me, but I continued.
“He came to me before the game. Threatened to report us. The school would have to investigate and it would be on the cameras.”
“The cameras.” She closed her eyes.
“It gets worse.” I cleared my throat. “He threatened to expose us unless I made him QB1.”
Her eyes flew open, then they flared with rage. “He did what?”
“If I didn’t bench Krew, he would turn us in.
You’d be expelled. Gossiped about and no telling what other horrible things the press would create.
I won’t allow that, Trinity. I refuse to let any of that bullshit touch you.
” I pushed to my feet, maneuvering around the coffee table to crouch in front of her.
“I just need some time to figure this out.”
“And the team pays the price for our mistake?”
Her words were like a dagger to the heart. A life-threatening blow. “Mistake?” I took her hands in mine. “We are not a mistake.”
Moisture pooled in her eyes. “Our choices are not just affecting us anymore. This affects the team, which affects you. And my dad.”
“I know.” I brought her knuckles to my lips and dropped a kiss on the cool skin. “I can step down. I can go tomorrow and talk—”
“You can’t quit,” she said quietly. “He needs you.”
I squeezed her hands in mine, searching her eyes for some sort of answer, but the expression I saw shining back at me had a chill running down my spine.
She released my hands, then pushed to her feet. “There’s only one thing we can do.”
Her tone was void. Distant.
“Angel…”
She moved to the door. “I think we need to take a timeout.”
I pushed up to my feet. “A timeout?”
“Yes.” She faced me, her chin held high. “This has made a bigger mess than we intended. I think it’s best if we don’t see each other for a while.”
“No.” My response was immediate. “I can’t walk away.”
“I’m not saying forever, Preston.” She blinked back tears. “Maybe after I graduate, if you still have feelings for me…”
“Feelings for you?” I scoffed at the minimization of what she meant to me. I stalked to her and took her face in my hands. “I love you,” I admitted in a harsh whisper. “I am in love with you, and six months or six fucking years are not going to change that.”
A quiet sob left her throat, and I pressed my lips to hers. She kissed me back, but it lacked the intensity she usually gave. It was timid and scared. It was like she was saying goodbye.
When we pulled apart, she met my eyes. “I love you too,” she whispered. “But sometimes, it’s just not the right time.” Her lips tilted in a forced smile.
“I don’t want this,” I voiced.
“I know, but it’s for the best. My dad is sick, and I don’t know how much time I might have left with him.” Her hand cupped my face. “You have a team to lead. Get Krew back on that field. They all deserve it and he deserves to be in the draft. We both know it.”
I still had my hands on her face. I couldn’t let go. “Please.”
She rose on her toes and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth. “Just a timeout, Coach.”
Then she turned, opened my front door, and tore my fucking heart out.