Page 113 of The Plan

“Sire?” I roll my eyes at their interruption and turn back to Brent and Buzz.

“No, that’s beyond fucked.” Buzz laughs, and Brent only rolls his eyes.

“Here you go, being all noble.” I ignore him and turn back to Vidia. I’msomaking her mine. “You don’t have to lie to us to make yourself feel better about using her.” Buzz laughs beside us when I flip Brent off. He doesn’t let it go the rest of the dinner, but I keep brushing him off, not thinking much of it.

“So, using her was never part of the plan?” I look over at August and rub my palms on my legs. Fuck, I need to get out of here and get high. Just one more time, then I’ll go to rehab like I promised.

“No, August. Does that even sound like me?” He opens his mouth to reply, but the door opens. Fred and our coach walk back in, drug test in hand.

They look over at me carefully. “Ready?” I look over at August, and he slightly nods his head.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Vidia

The Present

Idon’t respond for afew minutes after Sire explains everything. I wouldn’t know where to start. Maybe I should remind him it isn’t his fault I miscarried. Or that I’m sorry for not being there when he relapsed… like I promised I would.

I still can’t let go of how guilty he seemed at the party that night when Brent first said he was using me.

“Why didn’t you just tell him you weren't going through with thisplan?” Was it because he was? God, it is so hard to trust him.

“I did, Vidia.” He takes my hand in his, desperate to make me believe him. “Multiple times, but he was a jealous fuck who couldn’t get that through his head.” I shake my head softly.

It makes sense… A part of me wants to believe him, but I don’t want to look stupid if I do, and he’s just lying.

“You don’t believe me.” He pulls his hand away and is watching me like I crushed all hope he had. “Vidia, all the ‘benefits’ that come with you will never be better than you alone. All the money and the fame. My dreams of playing in that jersey on that field every week will never be better than calling you mine.” I stare between his eyes, searching for a lie, but I struggle to find one.

“I liked you long before I knew who your mom was. You alone will always be enough. My feelings were genuine, Vidia, and if you want me to call my coach right now and quit the team to prove it, I will.”

He wouldn’t.He wouldn’t give up his dreams and everything he has to simply prove a point. Because that's all he’d be doing… Proving a point. Him quitting wouldn’t guarantee that he wins me back.

Still… I’m tempted to see how much truth his words hold. After believing it was all a lie, I need to know if he’s telling the truth.

“So do it.” I surprise myself when the words leave my mouth, but he doesn’t even flinch. He turns to head for the kitchen and grabs his phone. I follow behind him, and he turns his phone to me, showing as he hits call and puts it on speaker.

The phone rings a few times. It’s pretty late, so I doubt his coach will answer, but he does. I feel my heart rate pick up, but Sire doesn’t show any indication that he’s nervous at all. As if he isn’t about to throw his entire career away.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Coach, I’m just calling to let you know I’m resigning from the team. I won’t be at the next game or any of the following.”

My mouth gapes open, and I’m sure his coach has the same reaction because he’s silent on the other end.

“Excuse me, son?”

Sire looks up at me and stares into my soul. “I’m quitting the team. I’ll have my agent email you.” With that, he hangs up. “I’ll text Jackson right now, and he’ll have my contract pulled. I’ll probably have to finish the season, but I won’t start again next spring and—”

“Call him back.”

“What?” He looks at me, confused.

“You proved your point, I believe you. Call him back.”

“No, I—” His phone starts ringing, but he doesn’t answer.

“You quit for me. Now, answer and apologize for me. Kiss his ass if you need to. I would never let you actually throw your life away.”

---