Page 3 of Catch
I swipe the tears away and take a few deep breaths to calm down.
I can do this.
Only, when I tap on my phone, it’s not Ren trying to get hold of me.
It’s worse.
Ethan: You ready for the soccer match? Be prepared to have your smart ass handed to you. Say goodbye to your pretty hair, golden boy.
In a heartbeat, I go from upset to irritated.
Fucking Ethan Walker.
Star hockey forward, frat boy, and the most annoying human being on campus.
I first encountered Ethan at a fundraising event last semester. I was there with my teammates Jackson, Archie, and Hudson, to represent the college’s rowing crew, and we shared a table with the hockey team, the Cougars. When the party got going, Archie suggested a friendly competition between the two teams, and I was all in. Ethan hadn’t shut up—not about his hockey prowess, his hookups, or his parties—so I couldn’t wait to show him that hockey playersdon’tin fact do it better. Winning, that is. I don’t care who he fucks or how popular he is, but do we need all the details? Guys who are all talk are right up there on my shit list, along with liars and cheats.
I’ve been trying to avoid Ethan ever since, but it’s not easy to do, especially when I got roped into helping him with his teammate’s wedding reception two weeks ago. His buddy Silas married their hockey coach, Damien, and everyone on campus is still talking about it. Jackson was assigned to keep an eye on things—namely Ethan, to make sure he didn’t turn the reception into a frat orgy—but when Jackson found himself too busy with his work internship, I volunteered in his place.
And I’ve been kicking myself ever since.
I’ve kept my distance from Ethan as long as I can, buttoday, that’s coming to an end. His text is a reminder of why I need to stop engaging with him.
Then again, as soon as this soccer game’s over, once I handhisass to him, he’ll stop pestering me.
Ethan: And don’t even think of reneging re: the loser shaving their heads. We shook hands, remember?
How could I forget? I still curse myself for opening my big mouth at that fundraiser and suggesting the ultimatum. I did it to shut Ethan up and it worked. Only now, like with Renner, I’m regretting my words. Which isn’t helping my anxiety at all.
But given how crappy my week is starting off, kickingEthan’s ass is going to be so fucking satisfying. In fact, winning that game tonight is exactly what I need.
Jett: I gave my word. And you have no idea who you’re up against.
Ethan: Is Whiner coming to watch you?
I shouldn’t laugh at his nickname for my boyfriend… ex-boyfriend.
But I do.
Jett: I’m blocking you
Ethan: Harsh. See you in six hours. I’ll be the hot one everyone’s staring at.
Jett: Ass
Ethan: Everyone wants mine
Shaking my head, I ignore his ridiculous comment and shove my phone back in my pocket.
Speaking of ass, it’s time to haulmineback to class. I make it there, late of course, and get an extra assignment from my teacher. But I’m too upset thinking about Renner and him cheating on me to care what my workload is like. All I want to do is go back to my room, dump any traces of my ex, head to the nearest sexual health clinic to get tested, and have a good cry.
What if Hailey isn’t the only one Renner’s been fucking? Where else has his cheating dick been lately? I think back to last weekend… the blow job I gave him and the fact that I swallowed his load. My stomach churns, and I hope like fuck I’m not going to vomit in the middle of my biochem lecture. I don’t need two extra assignments.
Somehow I make it through class, but I’m barely paying attention to what our teacher is saying, and when I look at my notes, I’m missing half the lecture. Whatever. I’ll reach out to one of my classmates and get the notes from them.
I manage to get through two more lectures, and then a break, which I spend at the clinic getting tested.
Fun times.
