Page 9 of The Comeback Pact

Fuck me. Just fuck me. This is exactly why Mom and Dad didn’t want me living on campus anymore, but I have to eat, don’t I? I can’t avoid every communal space on campus.

“McKenna.”

The voice is low and gravelly, almost like it’s underused. Right away, I know it’s West. Aidan is a lot louder, and he wouldn’t just say one word to get my attention.

My name on West’s lips gives me a chill, and not only the kind that solidifies the ice around my heart, a different kind, too. I don’t want to look his way. In fact, it’s the last thing I want to do, but I also don’t want to be seen as someone who’s afraid of them. They should be cowering from me.

So, I pull up my big girl panties and turn their way, giving them the coldest stare I can muster, which comes rather easily.

My gaze flits over Aidan, but it stops on West. God, heisa fine piece of meat. His dark hair makes his green eyes look out of place, but in a sexy kind of way. He’s all quiet and mysterious. We’ve had several classes together, and I don’t know if I’ve even heard him string together a complete sentence in the years we’ve been going to school here. He certainly has never said my name before.

And damn, the sound of it still lingers in the air, giving me goosebumps.

I’m so mad at myself when my mouth won’t make words. I’m just staring at West like I’m one of his groupies, and he’s just staring right back.

Aidan sighs. “Hey, Kenna. How are you?”

I drag my gaze away from those taunting green eyes and size up his teammate. Aidan’s about as tall as West, maybe a little taller, but he’s not as wide. He’s still bigger than the average male on campus.

Listen to me,average male on campus, like the football players are in a league of their own. This is exactly why they’re allowed to get away with everything…because people think they’re gods or some shit.

“It’sMcKenna, actually. Kenna is reserved for my friends.”

Aidan doesn’t skip a beat. “Okay,McKenna.” He smirks. “How are you?”

“Fine,” I say, but then I shake my head. I’m not having a cordial conversation with them. “What do you want?” I bite out.

The QB’s lip twitches a little, like he’s refraining from laughing. My gut tightens at his reaction.

Is he making fun of me?

“Listen…” Aidan peers at West, but he’s just standing there like a statue, still staring at me intently. “Coach thinks it’s a good idea if you come to practice.”

I blink. Before my brain can catch up with me, I laugh. It comes out so sudden that even Sydney looks at me like I’ve lost it. “I’m sorry,” I say, trying to rein it in. “It sounded like you invited me to your practice.”

“I did,” Aidan responds, keeping a jovial expression on his face.

Indignation swamps me. These guys couldn’t even be bothered to see me when I was in the hospital, but they want me to come to their practice?

“For what?” I snap. “So you guys can all stare at me?” I deliberately tuck my hair behind my ear to show off the scar that mars my cheek, but surprisingly, neither of their gazes wander there. “So I can be some sort of disfigured—”

Aidan interrupts me. “Hey, I’m sorry. It’s nothing like that. Coach just thought it would be good for you and the team to come together. To boost morale or something.” He glances at West for some backup, but the big guy just stands there, his expression never wavering from me.

“So, he wants me to be your scarred mascot? Parade me around a bit. Or, I know,” I say, my voice shrill enough to catch everyone’s attention near us, “he wants to make it look like I’m okay with what happened? Like if I come to your practice, everyone will forget that your actions had consequences?”

Aidan grimaces like I kicked his puppy. “I’m so sorry. No one thought Hamilton would have taken it that far. We’re all pissed. It won’t—”

West’s face morphs into an angry shade of red. He pulls on Aidan’s shirt and then immediately spins and stomps away. Aidan walks backward, frowning at us before turning and catching up to his friend, who is already by the exit doors.

“What the fuck?” I mutter, glaring at West’s retreating form. My whole body is vibrating, like I’m one second away from erupting. I should be the one walking away in anger.

Sydney reaches over, clasping her hand around my forearm. “Hey, it’s okay. They’re stupid. They don’t get it.”

I watch West push open the doors.

Why come all the way over here? Why say my name and then just look on while Aidan speaks?

What is his problem?

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