Page 7 of Delayed Penalty

Fucking asshat.

“That’s right. But that doesn’t tell me how everything’s been going? You two seemed like you were catching up,” Miles adds as we walk out of the locker room, Trevor and Cade already gone ahead of us.

“I was definitely trying to catch up with her, but she was… well, let’s just say she was making it extremely difficult.”

“Why do you say that? I mean, it didn’t seem like that from my end. Every time I glanced over she was sneaking looks at you that definitely didn’t seem like she was unbothered—or plotting your demise—but I could be wrong. I thought you said it was you who ended everything, is it possible she’s just not interested in you?”

My eyes snap to him, not expecting the harshness of his words toward her when, even after everything that happened between us, I’ve never once hated her. She’s just always been the one that got away, or stolen… the one that was everything, until she wasn’t. The one my heart just never could completely shut out, leaving the door unlocked for her, just waiting for her to come back to me.

But even then I know it’ll take a miracle because she’s engaged tohim.

Which, based on the fact that she was still wearing that atrocious ring, she still is, so why am I wasting my time?

“Two things. First, let’s not be a dick just because you don’t have feelings unless they involve yours. Second, she was looking at me?” I ask, unfortunately unable to hide the hope in my voice as pathetic as I sound.

He just raises his eyebrows at me before laughing.

“I always knew you were a fucking simp.”

“Fuck off, just because I don’t bring a new girl home every night like you, it isn’t a bad thing.”

For a moment, I think I see a flash of hurt in his eyes like I’ve offended him, but it’s quickly overtaken by his usual carefree grin.

“Don’t hate just because you’re jealous. Besides, if you’re not hung up on this girl, wanna come out on a double date with Samantha and Emily? They’ve been asking for us to go out with them and when I saw them at the bar last night, I told them I would try to convince you.”

“I…” I start, but what do I say? Do I want to go with? No. But why not? Is it Avery? Hell, it’s been actual years since I’ve been the playboy everyone makes me out to be. I’m a flirt, I love to talk to women, and don’t get me wrong, even I’m aware it usually comes off as flirting. But the likelihood of me taking any of these women home is slim to none.

But then there’s Avery. Running into her one night and she’s completely overtaken my mind. Should I text her? I mean… she didn’t believe me when I told her I remembered her phone number but truthfully, it’s always been in my phone and I couldn’t ever bring myself to delete it. It wouldn’t have matter if I did, though, because I’ve had it memorized since the first day she gave it to me. I just didn’t want to tell her all of this and seem desperate.

If she wanted me, she would have chosen me. But now? That light I used to see in her eyes—that showed me just how happy she was—has been dimmed, and that alone is worrisome. Enough so that I know I’m going to text the girl.

“Look. Let me reach out to Avery first… see what’s going on in her life and if she’s still happy, then maybe I’ll go with you. But if she’s not… I’m definitely going to see if I can get it to work this time.”

“Even after she cheated?” Miles asks, almost surprised as we finally make our way to our cars.

“For her, I’d forgive just about anything, as long as it’s me she’s choosing now.”

“Damn.”

“What?” I ask.

He just shakes his head, a little chuckle as he throws his bag in his car. “You’ve got it bad, brother. Let me know, though. I told them I’d text them tomorrow.”

“Deal.”

With that, I get into my car and finally pull out my phone, my fingers hovering over her name.

“Fuck me,” I grumble as I throw my head back on my seat.

What the fuck do I really have to lose? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Avery, and even then I’ve only seen her one time since we were together and it was for all of a couple of hours. It’s been even longer since I’ve held her or kissed her, so if she turns me down, I guess I’m not really losing anything.

Hey, Avery. It was good catching up with you the other day. Would you want to grab another drink sometime?

The second I press send and take a deep breath, the sign of relief is short lived as it immediately gets marked asread… and then nothing.

Hours later, after I’ve made it home, done my laundry, and finally sitting down to have dinner, I look and see that I have text messages, but all of them are from my friends and my family… Avery still left me on read.

Which is what has me sending a text to Miles.

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