Page 23 of Break

Ican’t focus on practice. I feel off. And my playing shows it. I get tackled four or five times before the sense is knocked into me.

Thankfully, before I can screw up further, we’re told to hit the locker rooms. I get into a shower, making sure no one else can seeme.

I cross my arms on the wall and press my forehead to my arms. The hot water rolls over my body, but I can’t wash away the way that Hope looked at me. Her gentle fingers on my body, the softness in her eyes.

I don’t want her fucking pity. I don’t want her to see me as weak because I’m not. I’m not weak. I’m not… I’m not that scared little boy. My scars are my past, and since I can’t rip them off my body, they exist.

She wasn’t supposed to see them. She was supposed to check that box like a good girl and if she wasn’tmine, I would show the entire team the video of her taking all three of us.

I don’t want to leave the shower as it is. I hate using the locker room. I hate feeling like I can’t walk out and about without everyone asking me what happened.

Jaxon clears his throat. “Dude.”

I move the curtain slightly and see he has a towel and my clothes for me. I turn off the shower and grab my stuff and put it on before leaving the shower.

Dimitri shakes his head. “You look like a bad ass—like some John Wick dude. You should embrace it.”

I flip him off. “Not happening.”

“I could set you up with my tattoo artist,” Jaxon offers.

“If I wanted tats, I’d get them,” I say calmly. “End of conversation.”

“Yeah,” Dimitri says. “Anyway, let’s hit the gym tonight. The other one.”

As we start making plans to box, Jared walks over. He looks between the three of us. “Hope’s something, isn’t she?”

“What?” I ask.

Jaxon watches Jared, waiting to see where this is going to go as he puts his piercings back in. Jared shrugs. “Coach said that she’s one of the reasons you guys joined, so I figured you’d know how great she is.”

“She’s something,” Dimitri says hesitantly.

“Her smile is amazing. She’s honestly the best person I’ve met. She said she’s not dating any of you, but I wanted to check with you guys before I make a move on her. I’ve been trying to hint to her that I like her as more than a friend, but I’m ready to take my shot.”

I nod once.

“The team comes first, though. If you’re not cool with it, any of you…” He swallows as he watches me.

He must know I’m seething. I don’t want to hear about someone else wanting her. I don’t want to think that now that she’s here, now that she’s seen me, I’m going to lose her to some fucker that I can’t take out because he’s my fucking teammate and…

I roll my neck and rub the sudden tension there.Think, don’t act. Think, don’t act. Think, don’t act.

“I can ask her out, right? She isn’t your girl… right? Or did I misunderstand something?” Jared asks, looking between the three of us. “Can I…?”

I’m about to lose my temper. He’s not even man enough to say the fucking words. He’s asking our fucking permission instead of setting up a date with her? He’s not good enough forher. She deserves someone who takes action, who can give her what she needs. He doesn’t check a single box.

Dimitri holds my shoulder, keeping me back. “Take your shot.”

Jared flashes a big smile and heads off. Jaxon shrugs once, then finishes getting his shit. I shove Dimitri off me. “Why did you say that?”

“Why not?” Dimitri asks with a shrug.

“She’s mine, you know that,” I snarl. “If we lose her because of this—”

Jaxon laughs. “Ours. She’sourfucked up little plaything.”

“Exactly,” Dimitri adds. “And she will never go for a guy like Jared. She might not want to admit it yet, but she’ll realize sooner or later that she’s meant for us.”

---