Page 32 of Changing Rules

“Is it true?” Coach asks, his tone low, somber.

I blink away my tormented thoughts and focus on him.

“That I stole his girlfriend?” I ask. “Or that he would’ve raped her if it wasn’t for me?”

“Both.” He clenches his jaw, his hands balled into fists. “Obviously, I’m privy to all the gossip the media has put out there. I never asked because it never affected your game, but I’m asking now.”

With a single nod, I tell him how Miller treated Bella. Then I explain what happened at my house when Miller found out about our relationship.

“Why didn’t you come to me about this?” Coach puts his hand on my shoulder. “Why didn’t she file charges against him?”

I shrug. “She was worried about my career.”

Coach shakes his head, taking a step back. “What he did was a fucking crime.”

I let out a defeated sigh. “He assaulted her, but all she was worried about was how it would affect my career if the media caught wind of me beating him up. She was the victim, so it was her decision to make, even if I didn’t like it. But after he went to rehab and the news about Bella and me broke…it was a done deal. No one would’ve believed us.”

When it all went down, I called an old friend from college who’s a lawyer. He said, considering our situation, if we went public with the story, things could get worse for Bella. Once Miller went to rehab, and especially after the statement he made wishing us happiness, it would look insincere to come out and claim he’d assaulted her. There was a good chance the world wouldn’t believe her if she spoke up. How fucked up is that? If Bella had spoken up, his PR team surely would’ve turned the tables, portraying her as a slut who cheated on Miller and tried to destroy his reputation after their breakup. People love to pity assholes and put the blame on women, and I didn’t want that for her, even if I did want him punished.

“Listen, this has to be tough for you, but you’re a great guy and an incredibly talented player. I want you on this team,” Coach assures me.

Relief threads its way through me. “I won’t let you down. I’m used to pretending I’m okay with him, trust me. I can do it again.”

Coach arches an eyebrow at me. “Do I want to know?”

I shake my head. I’m not in the mood to air Miller’s dirty laundry. I want to forget about that jackass. For good.

“Go. Carter’s eyeing us from the doorway.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

Drew pulls open the locker room door as I approach. He follows me inside but doesn’t speak. The quiet puts me at ease. Just having the silent support of a friend means everything.

Thirty minutes later,I climb into my car. I’m exhausted, and my head hurts. I’ve just started the engine when my phone dings.

Stacey:

Hey! How was your first day of training camp?

Me:

Hey. It was total shit

Stacey:

Why?

Me:

Long story

Stacey:

Wanna talk about it over lunch tomorrow?

Me:

Sounds good. I’ll text you in the morning

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