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“It’sallabout you, Kendra. All of it. Every single fucking piece,” he grits out.

I want to believe him. I want to hear him out. But honestly, at this point, I don’t know how to. I don’t know what to trust or judge anymore. My career’s imploding and the very arms I’d seek for comfort are breaking my heart.

“I turned down a contract with London Villa for us.”

“W-what? When?”

My head involuntarily drops between my shoulders. “A few weeks ago. The head coach called me and said they wanted to trigger my release clause in January. But I told them no. I said I had a new life here. I said I didn’t want to put us at risk.” More tears hit my cheeks. “I didn’t hesitate when I made my decision. I didn’t tell you because I thought you’d try to convince me to go after my dreams. Was I wrong, Jack?”

“I—I don’t know what to say, Kendra. I wish you’d told me.”

“I didn’t make it onto Team USA either. Got an email earlier to say they couldn’t select me due to my ACL injury. I was too much of a risk.”

“Kendra, I’m so fucking sorry. It’s their loss. They’re the ones missing out.”

I pick my head back up. Anger swelling in my gut. “Is that what you think, Jack? That I’m worth taking a chance on?”

He goes to speak, but I cut him off.

“Because right now, it feels like I’m not worth much to you.”

“Kendra, there’s so much that I want to say to you. But I can’t do it properly over the phone. I need to come to you.”

“Was it real? Were we real? Maybe everything was too soon.This whole thing has gone from zero to a hundred, and I’ve barely had time to catch my breath.”

“We’re real, Kendra. I promise you we’re real.”

I shake my head despite him not being able to see it. “I don’t know what to think. I’m lost.”

“I know it’s been fast, but that’s because it’s right. All of this—you, me—it’s all right.”

“I—I just don’t know what’s happening anymore.”

The tears emerge again, and I suck in a big breath, blowing it out slowly.

“I think I need time.” The second the words leave my mouth, my heart protests. Though I know it’s what my head needs. “I need space.”

“W-what are you saying to me, Kendra?”

I never thought someone could sound nauseous, but Jack proves me wrong.

Pinching my lips together, I squeeze my eyes shut. “I don’t know. That’s the point. I don’t know anything other than I need space. From everything. I’m going to Ohio.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

JACK

Yeah, violence would feel good right about now.

It takes me two strides to make it to the treatment room door and rip it from its hinges.

Another three strides before I’m parallel with the benches and I can throw my phone into my training bag.

And on the seventh stride? My fist connects with Tyler’s face.

He stumbles backward, blood pouring from his nose.

I hit him again, this time aiming for his jaw. The unmistakable crack of two teeth is the only noise in the deadly silent locker room.