Page 66 of Captured Love

I can picture her, red-faced and sweaty but glowing with that post-workout energy. Another text comes in before I can respond.

Selene: Want to grab lunch?

I bite my lip, conflicted. I do want to see her, but if I don’t go home and rest now, there’s no way I’ll survive the team dinner.

Me: Can’t unfortunately. I have class in 30 and then a team project meeting. Then there’s this team thing tonight.

Selene: No worries! I’ll catch you later.

For some reason, her dismissal doesn’t sit well with me, so I don’t end the conversation there.

Me: Are we still on for Thursday?

I stare at the phone screen, waiting for those three little dots to appear, signaling that she's typing. When they finally do, my chest tightens.

Selene: Of course

The smiley face eases the tension in me a bit. I shove the phone back into my duffel and finish getting dressed. Once I’ve gathered my things, I leave the rink and head to my car. I pop my trunk, put my hockey gear inside and grab my book bag. Then I hop into the driver's seat for a moment and turn my car on. As I’m letting it warm up, my phone buzzes again.

Selene: If you’re too busy we can reschedule…

Shit. That isn’t the impression I wanted her to have. I quickly type out another message.

Me: No way. I’m really looking forward to it.

Selene: Okay.

As I’m about to put my phone down so that I can drive, it vibrates in my hand again. I expect it to be a text from Selene, but it’s from Willow.

Willow: Mom really wants to know what day we’re going to be home for Mamita’s party so she can organize stuff.

Shit. I haven’t forgotten about the party, but I still haven’t figured out when would be the best time for us to leave. A lot of it was dependent on my schedule and things have just been so hectic with everything. I’ll think about it when I get back home.

As I’m about to throw my car into drive, I freeze in place because of a sudden tapping on my window. I turn my head slowly only for my stomach to drop the second I see her.

Tessa.

Lowering my window halfway, I brace myself. “What do you want?”

“Why haven’t you answered my texts?” she demands without an introduction, crossing her arms over her chest. Can’t blame her for that since I tossed any sort of manners, I had out the window.

“What texts?” It’s a lie, but I just want her go away.

“Don’t play dumb, Knox. I know you’ve seen them.”

“I haven't—” I start, but she cuts me off with a sharp shake of her head.

“I texted you a while ago.” Her eyes narrow as she studies me. “You had no problem liking my comment on your post, but you can’t respond to a simple text?”

I do a double take. Because what in the actual fuck? “I didn’t like your comment.”

She snorts in response. “Whatever. It’s not like you haven’t answered before. So what, now you’re too busy to talk to me?”

“I never said that,” I reply, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. “I didn’t like your comment and if I don’t want to respond to anything you’ve sent me that’s my prerogative. We are over and have been for years. I thought I made that clear numerous times.”

Her eyes flash with something that I can’t place. I don’t know her anymore and she doesn’t know me so I’m glad I don’t know what she’s feeling.

She flips her hair over her shoulder. “Yeah, well... I just thought you’d at least respond. We were together for a long time, Knox. You can’t just pretend none of that mattered.”

---