31 | Henry
THE CAMERAS TURN off and I instantly free myself from Natalia’s grasp.
“What the fuck are you doing?!” I snarl, not waiting for a response as I push past her and the reporters surrounding me.
“Finishing what you started, Henry!” she calls after me, her sing-songy tone infuriating me further.
I yell out Georgia’s name, my voice breaking and raspy as I shove my way through the crowd.
I’m stopped multiple times by Titan fans, dressed head-to-toe in maroon and white, congratulating me on the game, inviting me to after parties, asking me to sign their jersey. I ignore them all, bulldozing through until I reach a clearing in front of the exit tunnel.
She’s gone.
I ball my hands into fists, my ears reddening in frustration and anxiety, when a hand softly touches my arm.
“Hi, pookie. Amazing game!”
I turn to face her, and my breath quickens. My mom looks different than when I last saw her – happier. Her face is decorated with smile lines and crow's feet that I don’t remember being there before. Her trademark bleach-blonde hair has grown out and been replaced with more natural golden highlights, illuminating her face with their warm hue.
“Mom, I-I don’t have time right now.”
My voice is tense and uncomfortable, blood rushing to my face as I realize how much time I’m losing.
She’s probably out in the parking lot. If I run, I can catch her, tell her I’m sorry–
“Don’t be silly, Henry. I came all this way! Sarah should be down any min–”
“I’ve got to go,” I interrupt, immediately bolting through the exit tunnel without waiting for a response.
The sound of my voice, desperate and pleading, echoes through the empty passageway as I call Georgia’s name. I’m consumed by exhaustion as I step outside – my breaths are deep and labored, my jaw clenched with uneasiness.
“You just missed her,” Watson grunts, a maniacal smirk on his lips as he leans his back against the entrance of the tunnel.
I stiffen, a scowl sharpening my features. “What are you doing out here?”
A leisurely chuckle escapes him as he distances himself from the brick wall, sauntering towards me.
“Comforting your girl, Anderson. She’s devastated that you’ve been cheating on her this whole time.”
He pouts his lower lip and blinks rapidly, mocking me. Before I can think, my hand clenches into a fist as I drive him back against the brick wall, pinning him. The impact resonates with a thud, his gear scraping against the rough surface as he struggles to free himself from my grasp.
“I told you if you went near her, I’d kill you,” I hiss, my fist raised.
“You won’t do shit,” he snarls, spitting on the ground beside us. “Georgia doesn’t know anything – she thinks I’m a great guy. How does that make you look, punching the dude who tried to help her when you fucked up? She’d think you’re a psychopath.”
He’s right.
She doesn't know Watson tried to hurt her on purpose, that he hates me for taking his spot as captain. I haven’t told her about Natalia’s relentless vendetta against me since the night I rejected her. She has no idea they’re working together to ruin my life; she’ll think I’m unhinged – betraying her and then attacking the person that offered her comfort.
God fucking damnit.
With a low growl, I reluctantly loosen my grip on his jersey and shove him aside.
“That’s what I thought,” Watson sneers, placing a toothpick between his teeth. “Besides, I can't show up to our date with a black eye. Georgia would be worried sick.”
“What do you mean your date?”
He snickers softly.
“I asked if I could take her out, show her a good time, help her get over you… and get under me.”
“No fucking way she’d go out with you.” I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief.
He’s just trying to fuck with me.
“Yeah? 8’ o’clock on Friday – Stetson’s.” He shoots me one last glance, a smug grin creeping across his lips. “See for yourself.”
I groan, my head falling to my hands in annoyance.
How could today go so fucking wrong?
Watson’s words have been ringing in my ears for hours now as I sit, unmoving, in my darkened room.
“Help her get over you… and under me.”
My mind races with the image of Todd fucking Watson putting his Neanderthal hands on Georgia – caressing her, kissing her neck, smelling the vanilla perfume in her hair.
I think I’m gonna puke.
“Hey, dude – cool if I come in?”
Danny knocks on the door quietly as he cracks it open, waiting for my response from the hallway.
“Y-Yeah. What’s up?”
“Is everything okay? You’ve been up here for hours. I haven’t even heard you move.”
He steps slowly into my room, allowing the hallway light to steam in from behind him and illuminate the pathetic display of me wallowing in bed alone.
“Georgia’s going out with Watson,” I rasp, my voice monotone and detached as I stare up at the ceiling.
“Todd Watson? No fucking way, that dude’s a meathead.”
I nod slightly, a deep sigh heaving in my chest.
“She saw Natalia kissing me after the game. Watson ran after her. She thinks I’ve been with Natalia this whole time.”
“Jesus, dude… I mean, after the tackle incident she must realize that he’s a… god damnit. I forgot she doesn’t know that Watson tried to hit her on purpose.”
He scratches his head, his expression concerned and uncertain.
“Yep. They’re going to Stetson’s at 8 on Friday. I’m planning to kill myself at 7, if you wanna watch.”
Danny laughs, shaking his head.
“Come on, Cap. It can’t be that bad. Since when do you have trouble winning over a girl?”
I shrug my shoulders, not bothering to come up with a response.
“You’re seriously gonna let Todd Watson win? You’re gonna let him touch her, and kiss her, and put his kids in her–”
“Bruh–”
“I’m serious, dude. You need to go get your girl. Tell her the truth. She’ll understand.”
Danny looks at me desperately, pleading for me to get my shit together.
He’s right. I’ve wanted Georgia since the first second I saw her. She’s consumed my every thought, every feeling, every need for months. And now what? I’m gonna let that fuckface Watson lie to her and hurt her? He doesn’t want Georgia, he wants to fuck with me.
I sit up, a new sense of clarity and determination burning deep in my chest.
I told her I’d always try to protect her.
And I meant it.