Page 43

Remy presses the ice pack harder against Zane’s nose, making him flinch. “You think it’s broken?”

Zane groans. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

I don’t say shit. My hands are still curled into fists, knuckles throbbing, but it’s nothing compared to the mess in my head.

Across the room, Maya crosses her arms, staring me down. “What the hell was that, Caleb?”

I rub my hands over my face. “I don’t know.”

I do know.

Sienna.

Sienna running. Sienna’s face when she saw Maya. The way she froze, the way she shattered before she bolted.

But then there’s Maya .

The front door opens, cutting through the tension. Heavy footsteps.

Dad walks in, stopping when he sees the three of us looking like we just got dragged through hell. His eyes flick between me, Zane’s bloody face, and Remy with the ice pack.

“Jesus,” he mutters. “How bad was the game?”

Remy forces a laugh. “Game was great, Mr. McCabe.”

Dad lifts an eyebrow. “Yeah? ‘Cause you all look like shit.”

I exhale. “It’s nothing.”

His eyes narrow, but he lets it slide. “You meet the scout?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“ And ?”

I force myself to focus. “He was impressed,” I say, making shit up as I go. “Said they’re keeping an eye on me. Said I’ve got potential.”

Dad grins, claps me on the shoulder. “Good job, kid.” Then his gaze shifts, and for the first time, he notices Maya. His brows shoot up.

“Well, damn,” he says. “Long time no see.”

Maya grins, stepping forward. “Hey, Mr. McCabe.”

Dad shakes his head, laughing a little. “You always did have the worst timing.”

Maya laughs too, but I see the flicker of something in her eyes.

Dad slaps my shoulder again. “Alright, I’ll leave you guys to it. Try not to break any more noses.”

As soon as he’s gone, Remy and Zane exchange a look.

“We’ll catch up later,” Zane says, wincing as he presses the ice harder. “Think we’ll leave you two alone for a sec.”

I don’t say anything. My throat feels tight.

They leave.

Now it’s just me and her.

Maya tilts her head, watching me. “Okay,” she says, slowly. “You’re acting fucking weird. I know we broke up, but I thought you’d be happy to see me?”

I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “It’s been a long fucking night.”

She hesitates for a second, then moves toward me.

Before I know it, she’s straddling my lap, arms wrapping around my neck like nothing’s changed.

“I missed you,” she murmurs, nuzzling against me.

“I know you said you moved on, but I also know you, Caleb. I know you said it because I hurt you, and you thought it was for the best.”

My jaw clenches.

I shut my eyes, willing my body to relax.

This is Maya .

I’ve known her forever. She was my best friend before anything else. This should feel—

Fuck.

She pulls back, frowning slightly. “Feels like you’re not happy to see me.”

I force my arms to tighten around her, keeping her close. “That’s not true,” I say, voice rough. “You’re my girl, Maya. I’ll always want to see you.”

She studies me. Then she cups my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “Then talk to me, baby.”

I swallow, hard.

How the fuck do I tell her I’m in love with someone else?

“I can’t,” I say, barely recognizing my own voice.

Maya’s fingers tighten on my jaw. “Caleb.” Her voice is quiet, searching. “What the fuck is going on?”

I exhale hard. “It’s complicated.”

She frowns. “What does that mean?”

Before I can answer, her lips crash into mine, rough, desperate. She sucks my lower lip, dragging her teeth over it, and despite everything, my cock twitches in my pants.

Fuck.

Her hands slide down my chest, gripping at my shirt as she rolls her hips against me, slow and deliberate. My jaw locks.

“Maya.” My hands come up to her waist, trying to still her, but she just moves harder, sucking at my neck now. “Maya, stop.”

Her breath is warm against my skin. “Please talk to me.” Her voice is so fucking soft, but she grinds down again, trying to pull me back in. “Whatever it is, we can—”

“There’s someone else.”

Everything goes still.

Maya pulls back, her hands frozen where they rest against my chest. Her lips part slightly, like she’s about to say something, but nothing comes out.

I swallow. “I told you that last time we talked. It wasn’t… it was the truth.” My voice is low, almost ashamed. “I never fucking planned to catch feelings for someone else, but—” I drag a hand through my hair, my head tilting back against the couch. “Sienna snuck past my defenses.”

Maya blinks, then lets out a quiet, breathy laugh. But there’s no humor in it. “Sienna?”

I nod.

She shakes her head a little, still staring at me like she doesn’t quite understand. “I talked to her before the game started.” Her voice is unreadable.

I close my eyes for a second, fighting the urge to just fucking disappear.

Silence stretches between us.

Then Maya’s brows pull together. “Wait.” Her head tilts slightly, as if she’s piecing something together. “Wait, is she the reason that guy punched you?”

I press my lips together and nod.

Her mouth parts. “Holy shit.” She lets out a breath, sitting back on my lap like she needs space but doesn’t want to move away. “What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?”

I rub my face with both hands. “It’s not just her,” I mutter.

Maya stares. “What?”

I force myself to look at her. “I’m in a…harem.”

Her head jerks back. “A what ?”

“With her and Eli.”

Maya blinks, processing. Then she exhales sharply, shaking her head. “Jesus Christ, Caleb.”

I have nothing to say.

Her hands drop to her lap, fingers twisting together.

“You know…” She exhales again, blinking quickly like she’s trying to hold something back.

“I was so fucking excited when my mom told me we were moving back.” Her voice wobbles slightly, but she pushes through. “I thought we’d have another chance.”

Fuck.

I drag a hand through my hair. “Maya—”

She looks up at me, something raw and desperate in her expression. “Our breakup killed me.” Her voice cracks, her fingers digging into her own skin. “I—I didn’t know how to exist without you.”

My chest tightens. I reach for her hand, and for a second, she lets me hold it.

Then she swallows hard. “Do you still love me?”

I grip her fingers tighter. “Maya, I will always love you.”

She lets out a small, shaky breath.

I reach up, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. “But…” My throat closes up.

Her eyes meet mine. Say it.

“I’m in love with someone else.”

She flinches.

Her eyes shimmer, her lips parting slightly. She’s waiting for me to take it back, to say something else.

I don’t.

Her face crumples.

I hate myself.

Her fingers move to my face again, tracing over my jaw, my cheekbones, like she’s memorizing me. Then her lips press to mine, and this time, the kiss is different. It’s slow, breaking, goodbye .

I kiss her back. One last time.

Then I pull away. I stand so she can get off my lap.

“That’s it?” she whispers.

Tears spill down her cheeks. She presses her face into my shoulder, her body shaking.

And I stand here, holding her, knowing I just broke the heart of the only girl who once had mine.

I drop Maya off at her place. She doesn’t look at me as she gets out of the car, just mutters a quiet thanks before slamming the door shut. I watch her walk inside, my stomach twisting like I might throw up.

I did the right thing.

So why does it feel like I just ripped myself in half?

I grip the steering wheel, exhaling hard before throwing the car into drive. There’s only one place I need to be right now.

Sienna’s.

By the time I pull up to her house, my pulse is hammering. Coach’s car is still in the driveway, so I park a few houses down and wait.

Five minutes.

Ten.

Fifteen.

Finally, the front door opens, and Coach steps out, heading toward his car. I sink lower in my seat until he pulls out and disappears down the street.

I exhale, running a hand over my face. Okay. Okay.

I get out of the car and walk up to the house. Knock once. Then again.

No answer.

I knock harder, my heart in my fucking throat.

A minute passes.

Then the door swings open.

And she’s there.

Her hair is damp, hanging over one shoulder, and she’s wearing an oversized hoodie — mine. She blinks up at me, eyes wide, lips slightly parted like she wasn’t expecting me.

Like she doesn’t know what to do with me.

“Sienna.” My voice is rough. “Let’s talk.”

Something shifts in her face. Not anger. Not sadness. Just… guarded.

Then I see movement behind her.

And my stomach fucking drops.

Eli.

Standing just a few feet away, arms crossed, watching me with that unreadable expression of his.

Fuck.

“I—” My voice sticks. I clear my throat. “I just need a second.”

Eli steps forward slightly. “This isn’t the time, Caleb.”

I shake my head. “I don’t give a fuck if it’s the time.” I look at Sienna, my chest tight. “I need to explain.”

She swallows but doesn’t say anything.

I take a shaky breath. “Maya—she was my past. But you…” My voice cracks. “You’re my fucking everything, Sienna.”

Her throat works.

I step closer, like if I can just get to her, everything will make sense again. “I don’t want her. I want you. ”

She looks like I just slapped her.

Then she shakes her head, stepping back. “Caleb.” Her voice is so quiet. “I can’t.”

My hands clench at my sides. “Why the fuck not?”

“Because it hurts. ” She presses a hand to her chest. “All of it. The games. The pushing. The fucking — everything. ” Her voice cracks.

I open my mouth, but Eli beats me to it.

“Maybe we just need a time out.” His voice is calm. Steady.

But it hits like a bullet.

Sienna’s lips press together, her eyes flicking between us before she steps back inside.

And then she closes the door.

Right in my fucking face.

I stand there, staring at the wood like if I just wait long enough, it’ll open again.

But it doesn’t.

And I’m about to fucking rage.