Because You Exist(66)

She shook her head. “I want to do this.”

It was wrong.

Everything about it was wrong.

But the more I kissed her, the more I wasn’t willing to give her up.

Whatever happened with Jo happened in the future. It didn’t matter that when I shifted that time became my present. It hadn’t happened yet for Jo. And so somehow I convinced myself I was protecting them both. Jo had Ben. I had Jenna. That’s how things were supposed to be. That’s what made sense. And God, I needed something to make sense right now.

Besides, how did I know what happened with Jo wasn’t what they convinced me to feel. They’d been pulling the strings so long that I’d have to start questioning what decisions in my life had been mine and what had been theirs.

If I felt something for Jo it was more than likely I felt it because they told me to feel it. Not because I chose it.

Free will.

Fate.

I wasn’t sure which one I believed in yet.

I was too damn young to decide.

As I pulled Jenna on top of me, I realized I’d been wrong. Jenna had trusted me. Always. It was just I never trusted her trust in me.

Probably because I didn’t deserve it.

But I’d make it up to her. I swear I would.





Chapter 31





“If you text me one more time, I’m gonna call the police and report you as a stalker,” I directed towards Alec as I walked into the locker room.

Alec looked like crap.

Like he got the living shit beat out of him by a girl. A really strong girl. An Amazon girl.

I couldn’t help but grin. “Nice face,” I said, nodding towards the symphony of bruises and cuts that marked him.

“Just sit down, Middleton,” Alec growled.

“Someone’s in a bad mood,” I teased, taking a seat on one of the benches. I looked over at my teammates, the entire football team, who had been called to this secret, late night meeting. “Anyone want to tell me what’s up? If we’re about to start some secret society or anything, count me out. Not really into another guy paddling my ass.”

“We’re here because something needs to be done about your girlfriend,” Alec hissed. I heard a few members of the mob agree.

“Who? Jenna? What is she not perky enough on the field for you? I keep telling her she’s needs to work on her Russians. I’ll be happy to help her stretch beforehand,” I replied. I had to admit. It felt kinda good being back with the team and joking around.

Anything to feel normal.

I needed to feel normal.

I needed to feel human.

Alec slammed his hand against the locker. “No! Your other girlfriend, Middleton. The cunt who freaked out on me.”

“Watch your mouth,” I warned.

“You can’t be defending her, Logan,” Brent charged, standing up and pointing a finger in my face.

“Shut up, Brent. When I play in Friday’s game you’ll be back to second string. So, you best remember your place,” I snapped. Brent’s face turned red and he sat back down.

“You really are a dick, Middleton. How can you sit there and defend that thing? How do you think this all makes Jenna feel? Or have you stopped caring about her altogether?” Alec asked with what seemed like genuine concern.

I stood up and walked over to Alec, bending over slightly and pushing my face in front of his. “You got a thing for my girlfriend, Alec?”

“Which one,” someone called out and the team laughed.

I threw my hands in the air and took a seat.

“The team has decided we’re going to have to do something about Scary,” Alec said, glaring right at me.

“What do you mean do something?” I asked, feeling my hands start to shake.

“I’m out for Friday’s game. You’re out. We might as well kiss the season and Sate goodbye. Do you know how many people that pisses off, Middleton?”

I grabbed at my ribs. “I’m playing on Friday,” I said through clenched teeth, hoping I could.

Alec rolled his eyes. “Sure thing, Superman. When we lose our chance at state they’ll blame her. They’ll blame you. You want that on you?”

No. I didn’t. I didn’t need any more conflict in my life. I sighed. “What were you planning?”

“We’re gonna pull a Stevens.”

I shot up from my seat, ready to add a few more cuts and bruises to Alec’s face. Maybe Jo had the right idea the whole time. Before I could get over to him, two of my teammates held me back.

We always did have a pretty good defense.

“Are you out of your mind?” I yelled.

“Just calm the hell down, Middleton! She deserves this. Something has to be done. The funny thing is we won’t get in a single lick of trouble. Even if we get caught. You know how much money the football program brings into this school?”