Page 43 of Delay of Game

Robbie puts his head in his hands and Olivia rubs his back, whispering, “Do you want to go over and talk to them?”

He shakes his head no, but Ash says, “Fuck that, he owes us at least one fucking conversation.” The chair scrapes loudly on the floor, and before Eli can stop him, Ash is across the room tapping Jordan on the shoulder.

My heart beats wildly, but I force my attention to my phone. I don’t need this. Not now. Not when I’m wearing his goddamn jersey.

But fuck, my eyes betray me anyway, glancing up at him. He looks so good in a light green cable-knit sweater. Damn him.

CHAPTER 15

Three Years Ago – November

Jordan

When I turn around,I’m met with a very angry looking Ash. My eyes widen as I spot the rest of the group at the table. I didn’t expect them to be here.

“Ash—”

“No, Jordan. What the actual fuck, man? You don’t call or text back for months, and now you’re back in town and you don’t even tell us? Why weren’t you at Thanksgiving?”

I realize that we’re probably making a scene and that I should table this conversation for another time, but my gaze catches Alice and the jersey she’s wearing. My old jersey. My stomach churns with the feeling of guilt and hurt and I don’t know if I’d rather throw up or cry over the sight of her right now. Does it mean anything that she’s wearing it? Does she still care about me? Or has she moved on?

I take an involuntary step forward. The thought of her with anyone else makes me irrationally angry and I take a deep breath, cracking my knuckles.

Ash blocks my path and murmurs, “Don’t even think about it.”

I finally look back at him and nod in understanding. “I’m sorry, Ash. You’re right, I’ve been a really shitty friend.”

Looking down at my feet, I try to reign in this feeling of being miserable—of feeling sorry for myself.

“I’ve been dealing with a lot, honestly, and that shouldn’t be an excuse, but I really needed to focus on my mental health.”

“Oh, okay,” Ash says, some of his ire fading. “Look man, I know how that is, and I get it, truly. Just—we’re here for you, even though you ditched us for Texas.”

I laugh and push gently on his shoulder. “Yeah, like that was my choice.”

“I know, I’m sorry. If it’s worth anything, our defense kinda sucks without you, man.”

“Yeah, that’ll make me sleep better at night,” I say with a snort.

“Do you wanna join us?” Ash asks tentatively.

I look back at Tangy and she nods at me, already grabbing her purse. “I’ll see you tomorrow for brunch,” she says, giving me a quick hug.

“Well, come on,” Ash says, smiling over at the table.

I blow out a breath and follow behind him. For a moment, everyone is silent and I dread the anxiety and awkwardness that my actions have led to. But then Eli stands up and offers me his hand to shake.

I swallow the knot in my throat and take it, pulling him into a hug. He grunts out a laugh and hugs me back.

Robbie follows suit and hugs me. “Good to see you, man.”

“Yeah, you too,” I manage to say. It’s an understatement. Even if things are tense right now, seeing him is still a relief. I’ve missed him more than I expected.

I finally let him go and I wrap Olivia in a quick hug. She gives me a small smile and sits back next to Alice.

Seeing her up close has my stomach twisted up in knots. She’s so pretty, and I want her to smile at me like she used to. Before I fucked everything up.

“Hey, Al,” I say, taking a tentative step towards her.

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