Page 43 of Attractive Forces
“Hey, Madison, good to see you’re pushing yourself. Don’t use up all that energy on your teammates though. Save some for the opposition.”
“Yeah. Okay,” I huff.
Coach slaps me on the back. “You’re going places, kid. Just don’t injure yourself, okay?”
The shower beats down on me as I think about Coach’s words. Injuring myself is definitely not on the agenda. Having a father whose rugby dreams were spoiled by injury has always made me more cautious than most guys. I know how easily the dream can be snatched away.
When I finally emerge from the locker room, a voice calls my name.
I whirl around. It’s Jennifer. She’s dressed in a fuzzy light-blue sweater that looks like it’s made from the softest wool. There’s nothing cuddly about her expression though.
She’s obviously still pissed. Apparently, she’s come to tell me that in person because her messages blowing up my phone weren’t enough.
Sure enough, she launches right into it.
“I can’t believe you left me like that. You ruined my whole night. You only get one Year 13 ball—”
“Hey,” I cut through her rant. “I don’t get it. I didn’t leave until the ball was over. How did I ruin it for you?”
Color creeps up her cheeks. “We had plans afterward.”
“Yeah, sorry, but my friend needed me, so I had to change those plans. A guy’s allowed to change his mind, right?”
“Um…yeah.”
“Good. I’m glad you respect that.”
Jennifer blinks rapidly. Like this conversation is taking a turn she didn’t expect.
“So, do you um…want to get together again sometime?”
I look at my feet. “Sorry, Jennifer, with the championship coming up and everything, I’ve got to stay focused. I’m not looking for a girlfriend right now.”
I’m actually not looking for a girlfriend ever.
Her shoulders drop. “Oh, okay.”
“Sorry.” Have I ever meant that word more than I do right now? Because I never wanted to give Jennifer false hope, but from the way she’s biting her lip, that’s exactly what I did.
She shrugs, flicking some of her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Whatever, Logan. Luckily, I don’t think all the other players share your single-minded devotion to the championship. I’m sure I won’t be lonely.”
“I’m sure you won’t.”
I watch her walk away.
Her comment about how she can easily find someone else is like a slap in the face. Not that I’m worried about her being with someone else, but it just symbolizes how she’s always seen me. Like I’m just a player on those rugby cards you collect in breakfast cereal boxes, easily interchangeable with another. As much as I’ve never wanted anything more with her, I still like her as a person. But she’s only ever seen me as Logan Madison, rugby captain. The feeling of hurt contrasts with the relief flowing through me right now.
I don’t realize Brewer’s seen the whole thing until he steps forward and speaks. “High-maintenance. Looks like you dodged a bullet there, Madison.”
I swing my bag onto my back. “Yeah, I guess.”
“How is Stenton anyway?”
“He woke up with a very sore head,” I say.
Brewer’s eyebrows quirk upward. “You stayed the night?”
My pulse quickens, but I keep my voice steady. “Sure. Wanted to make sure he didn’t choke on his own vomit or anything like that.”
