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Did she ever care about me, or was I just an easy way for her to get information about my family and our businesses to give to Giuseppe Rossi?
Smack. Smack.
How does she even know Rossi? Did she meet him when she was growing up because of her father’s debt?
Smack. Smack.
Why do I still care about her? Why is my heart begging my mind to forgive her? Why do I want to fuck her until she confesses to everything and begs for forgiveness?
Pain radiates through my hands as the skin on my knuckles split open.
Blood coats the bag, but I don’t let up. I need to get all the anger out. I need to getherout of my system.
Chase Williams and the other rookie, Phoenix Young, laugh at one another.
Young jumps off the treadmill and walks over to the refrigerator for a cold bottle of water. “Hey, Marino, how was your break?”
Williams answers for me. “Probably lonely.”
Young downs half his water before saying, “Yeah, everyone’s been talking about how you don’t have a woman in your life. You don’t want to grow old and become a bitter, lonely man. Just ask Coach Bobby.”
The two of them continue to tease me back and forth about being alone during the break.
Finally, I have enough, and I snap.
“How about the two of you just shut the fuck up and let me work out in peace? If you two are such experts in women, why don’t I see any rings on your fingers?”
The two of them open their mouths to talk, but I cut them off.
“How about instead of gossiping about shit you don’t know, you work on your skating, passing, and shooting?”
Williams rolls his eyes. “Damn, dude, you just need to get laid and relax.”
The only person I want is Alexandra, but she’s a fucking traitor and a liar.
Young nods and says, “He must be angry at himself or at a woman. No man punishes himself to the point his knuckles are bleeding all over the equipment unless it’s something serious.”
He finishes his water before adding, “We sure do love them, but women leave nothing but destruction behind. Am I right?”
Williams stops the treadmill and wipes his face with the towel draped across his shoulder. “This is why I fuck them and leave them. There are no attachments. No love. No unhealthy, whatever this is.”
He gestures toward me.
I grab the spray bottle and clean my blood off the bag. “Fuck off, or your face is next.”
Gage shoots them a glare and nods toward the showers.
Williams picks up his bag. “Fine, we’re going. We will let the seniors have the gym to themselves so they can sort out their problems before the game tomorrow night.”
Young follows Williams through the gym’s double doors.
Gage walks over to one of the weight benches. “So, do you want to talk about it? Or do you want to continue punishing yourself for whatever happened?”
“There’s a lot to unpack.”
“And I’m just starting my workout. I have hours to listen. Or if it will make you feel better, I have a stocked beer fridge right across the street.”
Right across the street where Alexandra lives.