Page 10 of Heal For Me

“It’s bloody hard being good at everything.” I throw a sweaty arm over Parker’s shoulders, tug him into my side—despite him fighting me—and drop a sloppy kiss to his sweaty hair. “I haven’t played football in years and you two just lost.”

Henry snorts. “We only lost because we took it easy on you, old man.”

I release Parker and punch Henry’s arm. He dodges it, but I’m too exhausted to chase after him. Maybe I am an old man. Lately, I feel sixty-three not thirty-three, but I chalk it up to stress and lack of sleep.

It did feel good to get in a good workout. Weights are nice and what I prefer, but a night like this is refreshing.

We are heading for the showers when Henry slaps my chest, pointing across the mostly empty weight room. Two girls stand there, one against the wall and the other in front of her. They aren’t touching but their stance is intimate. I glance at my brother, and he pumps his eyebrows twice.

“You are disgusting.”

I plan to just walk past the girls, let them continue whatever they are doing, but as we pass, the one not on the wall turns, then I stop dead in my tracks.

Ronni stares back at me, wide-eyed and lips parted. I glance at the girl in front of her on the wall. Before, all I could see was a bit of blonde over Ronni’s shoulder, but seeing her face I, unfortunately, recognize her too.

“Well, hey, Coach,” Alyssa licks her lips, checking me out with fake interest. She’s more jittery than normal, looking at Ronni in a panic, then us. It takes her a moment to calm down, but she does and then smiles. The same smile I’ve grown to hate, because I know it’s the same one she wears right before she says or does something jarring. It grows when she sees Parker, and even more when she notices Henry. “I didn’t know you had a brother, Ash. A hot brother too.”

My chest rumbles when she extends her hand to him, a flirty grin stretching her face. He glances at me before taking it hesitantly after picking up on the tension in the air.

I haven’t seen her since the end of the season, and was just fine with it. Alyssa Burton has caused more issues in my life than necessary. She’s like poison ivy on your life—a bitch to get rid of.

“Henry,” he tells her, weariness in his voice.

“Alyssa.”

Recognition smacks him in the face and then he drops her hand. It only makes her chuckle.

“So, you’ve heard about me.” She steps closer, between me and Parker. Ronni comes back into view, but she’s avoiding making eye contact, guilt heavy in her body language. Alyssa’s bitchiness almost made me forget how close they were when we walked up to them. They were close, nearly kissing I might even say. Are they dating? As far as I know, they are straight, but it’s not like I know either of them personally, so it’s possible they are together. I wonder if Janelle is aware of their relationship. Since they flew in together and she couldn’t stand to be in the same room as Ronni, I will assume not.

“Which one has been talking?” She pokes Parker in the chest. “Son.” She moves closer, but the look on my face must keep her from touching me. She’s lucky she doesn’t, I am in no mood for her and her games. “Or daddy?”

My insides revolt at her words, and the fact she can even say them. Once again, Alyssa may be my biggest regret in this lifetime. If I could go back to that first night, I never would have drank.

Ignoring Alyssa, because I’ve learned that is the best way to get her to back off, not play whatever game she wants you to, I lean over to see Ronni.

“You been up to see Payson today?”

Ronni freezes. Even Alyssa stumbles as she backs up. Anger filling her face, she crosses her arms over her chest and looks to Ronni.

“No.” She shakes her head, still staring at the floor.

“Shame you came all this way to see your best friend, only to not see her.” I lay the best-friend card on thick, hoping to get through to her. I don’t know her deal or the secrets Janelle mentioned, maybe it’s her relationship with Alyssa, but I know that Payson loves Ronni, obviously more than Ronni loves Payson and that pisses me off. It pisses me off more that she is here with Alyssa rather than being by her best friend’s side.

“Well.” I look around and clap, and both girls flinch. “We need to get home. Have a good night.”

Henry falls into step with me. “That is the Alyssa that Janelle was shouting about?”

I dip my chin.

“I cannot believe he chose her over Janelle.”

Looking over my shoulder, Parker is following, with his head hung low, but he’s far enough away not to hear his uncle.

“Me either,” I mutter, and my own regret rears its ugly head.

“Or that Payson is threatened by her. Payson is Gucci, Alyssa is Pound Land. Quick, easily accessible, but not as rewarding.”

“If only drunk Ash saw the same.”

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