Page 2 of Catch
And when the moaning starts again, it’s not the painful kind.
But it is for me.
My stomach drops, the way it usually does before a major competition. Only this is much, much worse, because I feel like I’m actually going to throw up. I’m humiliated and angry, and so pissed off that all the air in my lungs feels like it’s beensucked out of me. My blood is pounding hard and my head hurts.
My head, my heart…
Stepping back, I try to control my anger, but it’s too late. The blade’s hit the water. I’m already in motion.
I lose it and pound on the door with my fist.
“What the fuck, Ren?” I yell. “I can hear you. You and Hailey? You goddamn asshole!”
The door suddenly swings open, and Renner stands there with his jeans crumpled around his ankles and a condom on his half-hard cock.
“You lying piece of shit!” I scream.
And I don’t care if everyone on this floor, or in this building, hears me.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” he starts and reaches for me, but I’m faster and step out of his grasp.
“It looks like you’re a cheating scumbag!” I shout.
“Renner, you bastard!” Hailey appears next to him, buttoning up her shorts, her face covered in beard burn. She glances at me, her eyes wide. “He told me he broke up with you before the summer break.”
“Nope,” I correct. I’m pissed, but not at her. “But I’m sure as shit dumping him now.”
“Jett, come on—” Renner whines.
“Did you hear what I said?” I point at Renner, and finally he has the decency to lean down and pull up his jeans. “We’re done.”
“Sweetheart, you’re overreacting.”
“You’re really going to go there? With the condom still on? Jesus Christ, I might be forgetful, but I’m not stupid.”
Although I’ve obviously had my head up my ass, since I missed that I was dating a total douchebag. Then it hits me. Maybehe’sthe reason why my concentration’s been off for months. God knows it’s not like me to be absentminded. I’m not one to brag, but I got a full scholarship to Sutton U, andmy GPA is 4.0. I’m even graduating a full year early. My fellow rowers from the Sutton U Crew joke that I’m the only genius jock they know.
But apparently I’m not smart when it comes to the guys I fall for. Guys and relationships. Relationshitis more accurate.
“It’s just fucking; it doesn’t mean anything,” Renner continues.
“You invited me out on a date Friday night!” Hailey screeches.
Her face is purple at this point, and she mutters something about “assholes with tiny dicks” before she stomps past me and leaves the room, slamming the door behind her.
“She’s lying,” Renner continues, running a hand through his chestnut curls. “Look, Hailey and I were only having fun, nothing more, so stop freaking out. This is all your fault anyway. I mean, if my own boyfriend won’t let me fuck him, what the hell am I supposed to do?”
What? He’s really throwingthatin my face? I thought he was happy with the way things were between us. Obviously I’m a fool ten times over.
I’m done. With this conversation and with Renner.
“I don’t want to speak to you again,” I snap. “Don’t call or text. Fuck the hell off and leave me alone.”
I’m so angry and upset that I feel tears threatening, so I turn before Renner can see how badly he’s hurt me. Like Hailey, I stalk across the room and slam the door on my way out. I’m shaking hard, but I manage to keep moving, racing for the stairs. My vision is blurry until the hot tears finally let loose and roll down my cheeks.
I’m halfway to the exit when my phone pings.
Fuck you, Renner Whitner.
