Page 100 of The Plan

Just like that, it’s gone, and everything we had with it, or everything I thought we had.

When I climb into my car, he doesn’t make a move to even stop me. I can see him in my mirror, and he looks broken.Good. I look ahead and drive away from him and away from all the lies he’s ever made me believe.

My apartment is in the other direction, but I just need to get away. My mind is racing with all of our good memories, andI feel like they're fading, tarnishing, and the flaws in them are peaking through. The signs I missed were finally clear as day.

“And then the two of you kissed, right?”

“No, Hazel. You aren’t even listening to me. I’m only telling you this to explain to you that he is acting differently.”

“Okay, when did you notice this change?” I take a few bites of my pizza, trying to remember.

“Earlier this year.”

He didn’t start flirting with me because he started seeing me differently or because of the hot dress I was in; he saw me with my mom that day and recognized who she was. I shake my head in disbelief and continue driving, putting as much distance between us as I can.

“How’s your day going, beautiful?”That was the first time he called me that.

His team walks past us, talking. “This is definitely going to work.” One of them mumbles, but I don’t give it much thought.

Turning back around, Sire is looking at his team weirdly. “What?” I go to look back, but he stops me.The same day he started calling me beautiful, Brent was the teammate who said this is definitely going to work…Thisbeing Sire using me. God, that was months ago.

My eyes begin to blur again, but I quickly blink my tears away and grip the steering wheel.

“I’m proud of you, Sire.” He kisses my forehead, pulls me in again, and whispers into my hair.

“Thank you, Vidia.”

That day changed everything for us. From that day forward, we spent almost every day together. I took so many damn naps with him sohecould get some rest. I feel like such an idiot.

Sage looks between the ball and me, and I can see her connecting the dots. “Wait, you're the one with that famous baseball coach mom, right?” I honestly hate when peoplerecognize who my mom is because they ask for favors… Sage and the boys don't seem like the type to do that, so I don’t hide it and confirm with a nod.

I was wrong. I guess he was the type to use me for my mom. I wipe my tears and make a left, driving with no destination. I just need to get as far as I can.

He groans into my mouth, and then he swallows my moan as he enters me with two fingers.The first time he ever touched me like that, made me crave him. All that pleasure for all this pain.

“She’s who I was talking about.” Why was he talking about me?

“What was that?” Brent turns to me, surprised that I heard him over the music, but before he can answer me, his friend with a buzz cut speaks up for him.

“You’re the daughter of a famous coach. Sire screws you and—” Brent elbows him before he can finish.

I asked Sire about what he meant, and he lied right to my face. I come to a stop sign and close my eyes for a second, but the tears don’t stop.

“I’ve made it very clear that I want to be with you, and all you keep doing is push me away.”I had a good reason to push you away. I open my eyes and continue driving. That same day, I asked him if there was anything else he wanted to tell me, yet he said no. He lied. Again.

I don’t recognize any of the streets I’m on and try to find my way back home because I’m so tired. Of the lies, of feeling like a fool. The puzzle pieces are falling into place, and I hate the image it’s forming. I don’t even know what to believe anymore.

“God, I love you.” He places a soft kiss on my lips. I go still, and I feel a pit in my stomach. Like something is off.

Everything was off. Everything was a lie. After aimlessly driving, I head back the way I came and make my way home. Infifteen minutes, I’ll be in bed in the comfort of my own pain—pain he caused.

“I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.”But you did. You broke your promise, Sire.

My vision is blurring again, and I’m so tired of crying. Tired of feeling like this. I go to wipe my eyes but quickly grip the steering wheel when bright headlights blind me.

I try slowing down and switching lanes, but I can’t see anything. In an instant, all I feel is the impact of both cars colliding, and my stomach dipping as my car flips and everything goes dark.

Chapter Twenty-Three

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