Page 60 of Scoring the Player
I huff a small laugh as we move up closer to the front of the line. I’m anxiously waiting for more information, any little tidbit to better understand Felix. Maybe it will help me understand why he’s so hesitant to date (really date) anyone. And why he won’t kiss me again.
“We were all at a party. Things had been tense all night. They were fighting about something. Felix was really upset. I don’t know what started it, but then she started saying these awful things to him in front of everyone. How he was pretty to look at but had the personality of a rock. And how she had been trying to hold out for his NFL contract, but she just couldn’t pretend anymore. She basically made it seem like she was using him for a paycheck.”
My stomach twists and white-hot jealousy jolts through me with a heavy dose of anger. She had this great guy and only saw him for the money he’d make someday. No wonder he isn’t interested in another relationship.
We grab our food and start back for our seats.
“You know what,” I say, pausing outside the restrooms, “I need to pee. Go ahead. I’ll meet you back down there.”
“You don’t want me to wait?”
“Nah, I’m fine.”
“At least let me take your stuff.” She reaches for my hot dog and soda.
“Thank you.”
She smiles, juggling two drinks, a hot dog and popcorn as I disappear into the restroom.
I groan at the line of women waiting and seriously consider holding it until after the game, but I really have to go and the line is moving fairly fast, so I decide to stay.
I’ve been standing in line for a few minutes when the girl in front of me turns and smiles. I smile back politely.
She looks a little shy as she asks, “You’re Dahlia, right? Felix Walters’ girlfriend?”
“Umm…yeah,” I say like I’m not sure I am, then I smile. “Yes. Yes, I am.”
“He’s having a great game. I’m Francine. My boyfriend is Cody, he’s a freshman.” She turns to show me her back, which is when I realize she’s wearing a jersey just like mine. They really are the standard attire of girlfriends, it seems.
“It’s really nice to meet you.”
“You too,” she says as a toilet flushes and then a stall door opens. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
I’m smiling to myself as I stand at the front of the line. I can’t believe someone just recognized me by name in the bathroom. It’s surreal and even more surreal that they know me because I’m Felix’s girlfriend.
It’s finally my turn. I go and then head to the sink to wash my hands. And there she is.Bethany.She comes out of one of the stalls, the same way other women might strut down a runway. She tosses her shiny blonde hair over one shoulder as she steps up to the sink next to me. While she washes her hands, she stares at her reflection, turning to see every angle. She’s so busy checking herself out that it takes her a beat to see me.
Her gaze flicks to me, away, and then back. She laughs as she stands tall. Drying her hands with a paper towel, she slowly scans my outfit.
“Look at you,” she says, voice full of fake sweetness. I’m having a hard time meeting her eyes and not thinking about all the awful things she said to Felix. “Nice jersey. I wore it better, but I think we both know that.”
It’s hard to argue with her. She’s gorgeous. A truly awful human wrapped up in a very pretty package.
I shrug and try to ignore her. Bethany is not used to being ignored.
She steps closer, wedging herself between me and the sink. Her voice lowers and is filled with venom. “Felix may have plucked you out of your boring, dull life to feed his ego for a while, but sooner or later, he’s going to get tired of being with someone so…forgettable. And when that happens, you’ll go back to being no one.”
I don’t want her words to hit me so deeply, but they do. I’m frozen in place. I can’t make all the angry words bubbling up inside me come out. Instead, it’s hot tears I feel pricking the back of my eyelids.
The worst part is, she’s right. Bethany is just lashing out and saying whatever she can to hurt me, thinking I’ll cower and give him up. She has no idea how close she is to the truth. Because in a month, our agreement will be over, and I’ll go back to my life, him to his. I was never going to get to keep him, but she’s just made me more determined than ever to enjoy every minute until then.
She tosses the paper towel in the trash and brushes past me. After she’s gone, I wait an extra minute, getting myself together, before I head out.
I almost run directly into Holly.
“Hey.” I force a smile at Felix’s sister. “You waited.”
“I didn’t want you to fight the crowd back to our seats alone.” She hands me my drink and food. “Did Bethany say something to you? I saw her come out before you, looking smug and evil.”
