Aiden
She’s not here.
I really thought she’d be here. I gave her the ticket. I gave her the jersey. I gave her my fucking heart. What more could I give her?
I slow down my steps, blowing out a breath when I glance to the bleachers again where her seat is empty.
“Pierce.” I snap my head to the right where Coach is angry as hell, throwing his arms up. “What the hell are you doing?” Having a breakdown, that’s what.
“C’mon, Pierce. Move your ass,” Carter calls out.
This is one of the most important games and I’m blowing it. I lift my head and see a guy from the opposing team racing towards me. My eyes drop to the ball in his hands and when he tries to move, I steal, grabbing the ball when it bounces behind him. I run towards the net, a nudge hits my shoulder and I twist, making sure he doesn’t catch it.
“What the hell are you waiting for?” Jordan calls out from the side. “Shoot.”
I spin on my heels, and shoot watching the ball fly through the air until it hits the backboard, bouncing down to the ground. Shit.
My ears grow heavy with the groans and booing in the place, weighing me down like a ton of bricks. What is wrong with me? That was an easy shot. I should have made it. I drop my head down, wiping the sweat off my forehead.
“What’s going on with you, man?” Jordan asks.
“Nothing.” I instinctively glance over at the seat which is still empty. She’s really not coming, is she? I really thought she’d change her mind about us, that she’d see how good we are together and want to be with me as much as I want to be with her.
But that’s not happening.
“Who are you looking for?” Jordan asks.
I narrow my eyes at him. “None of your business.” Is it him? Is Jordan the guy Leila hooked up with on my team? It could be any one of them. And I have no clue. One of these guys kissed my girl, touched her and told her to be quiet, treating her like a dirty little secret.
“Jeez, Cap.” Jordan’s face contorts. “Calm down.”
I blow out a breath and when the whistle blows my shoulders relax, heading towards the bench. Coach holds out a bottle of water to me, and I take it from him, downing half of it. I look up at the bleachers once again. I really need to stop doing that. She’s not coming. I need to accept that.
“Are you out of your mind?” Ethan yells, throwing his arms up in the air. “You’re costing us the game because of some pussy.”
My ears burn when I turn around and narrow my eyes at him, stalking towards of him. “Don’t fucking talk about her.” Did this asshole touch my girl?
He scoffs. “I knew it was because of a girl.” I grunt, grabbing his jersey.
“Pierce!” Coach’s voice runs through me. “Back off. Do I need to bench you?”
I drop his jersey, Ethan scowling at me. “No, Coach.” I blow out a breath. “It won’t happen again.”
“No girl is worth losing the game,” Jordan says, nudging me on the arm.
“Jordan’s right,” Carter says. “You need to focus.”
I know. I run a hand down my face. “I’m trying. Just lay off.”
When the whistle blows again, letting us know time out is over I shake my head, jogging in place. Leila isn’t coming. I need to focus on the game.
That’s all I have left.
