Page 27

CHAPTER 27

WHERE’S BELLA?

XANDER

October

Fuck, I can’t wait to get home and take a hot shower. Practice went well, and the whole team is pumped for Sunday’s game against Miami. Their record is similar to ours, so it’ll be tough, but we are determined to win.

This season, the Super Bowl will be ours. I can feel it.

I slip my hoodie over my head while Drew Carter talks about his plans to go to the movies with his wife. He’s our middle linebacker, and so far, he’s the closest thing I have to a friend on this team. Garcia’s a good guy too, but his bond with Miller is a big red flag for me.

As much as I hate that the entire team thinks Jake and I are old friends, I’ll keep the lie going, for Bella’s sake.

“Garcia. We going out tonight?”

My teeth grind at the sound of Miller’s voice. He has dark circles under his eyes, and he looks like he’s lost weight since Bella left two weeks ago. Since then, he’s only gotten more aggressive and vile, even to his teammates.

“Yeah, why not?” Garcia calls out as he slips into his leather jacket.

“I figured you’d blow me off like you have every other time I’ve asked these past two weeks.”

Garcia shrugs, his expression easy. “Meg’s shopping with Isabella, and then she has plans to meet with her sister, so I’ve got time.”

“Really? Isabella didn’t mention it.” Jake hides his hands in his pockets, his cold eyes calculating. “Do you know where they went?”

Garcia, oblivious to his friend’s scheming, says, “Not a clue, man, but Meg is meeting up with Liz soon, so they may be finished.”

“Never mind. I’ll ask Isabella when I see her.” Miller picks up his duffel bag. “I’ll wait for you in the parking lot.” With that, he strides out of the locker room, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone else.

I can’t say I hate to see him so miserable, but his calls and texts to Bella are becoming more desperate, and that has my hackles raised.

She’s doing her best to guard her peace and mentally prepare herself for the inevitable breakup. I just wish she’d do it already.

She’s been apartment hunting this week, but all her options are either too expensive or in terrible condition. I refuse to let her live in a place where she isn’t safe—which is also why I want her to stay as far away from Jake Miller as possible.

He’s fucked up and manipulative, and I worry if he gets anywhere near her, he’ll know exactly what to do or say to make her come back to him. She claims she’ll never go back, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying. The fucker has a knack for putting the blame on her, making her feel bad about herself, and treating her like she’s his property. It kills me how easily he gaslights her, has her believing she’s overreacting. He might not know the details of what her family put her through, but he learned how to tap into her wounds and exploit them, and that disgusts me.

A guy doesn’t treat the girl he claims to love like that.

For now, I push the spiraling thoughts out of my head and pick up my bag. Once Carter and I have made plans to meet at the gym in the morning, I give my teammates some quick backslaps and fist bumps and head out.

The time alone in the car to cool off will do me good.

* * *

Just as I park my car in my driveway, my phone rings. When my sister’s name flashes on the display, I tap Accept.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Audrey says, her voice coming in loud and clear through the car’s speakers.

“How are you?”

“Spent the day doing nothing, waiting for Ryan to fly back home.” She sighs. “I can’t wait until we can finally move back to Boston. I miss everybody.”

Audrey is four years older than me, and though I’m almost twice her size, she’s still overprotective. That’s just her personality. She’s nosy and overbearing, but she means well.

“You’ve got, what, six months? Mom said her agent found a house that’s perfect for you?—”

“Yeah, she sent me the details, but I don’t think I like it. It’s too far away from your neighborhood.”

I roll my eyes. “But it’s close to Mom and Dad. What if I get traded? Then being in my neighborhood wouldn’t mean shit.”

“I’ll think about it.” She huffs. “Any fun plans for tonight?”

“Nah. I just got home. I’ll probably watch a movie.” With Bella , though I don’t tell Audrey that, not yet. Not until Bella leaves Miller for good. Just the sound of Jake’s name would send my sister into a full-blown tirade.

“When was the last time you went out?”

“Eh, it’s been a while, but what’s wrong with staying home?”

“Nothing. It just isn’t like you; it weirds me out. Are you really okay?”

“I’m tired, that’s all,” I bite out, anxious to get inside and see my girl. “Hey, listen. I need to run.”

“Already?”

“Sorry, yeah. I’ll call you later. Bye.”

“More like nev—” I tap End before Audrey finishes talking. It’s rude, and she’ll be royally pissed, but that’s the least of my concerns.

Inside the house, Milo click-clacks across the floor, his little tail wagging. I crouch and pet him, listening for Bella, but the house is silent.

Shit. I thought she’d be home by now.

Miller knows she went shopping with Meghan. What if they’re still out and Jake finds her?

Fuck .

I spin around, ready to flee, but a loud bark stops me in my tracks.

Milo. Shit. He hasn’t been out in hours.

“Sorry, buddy. My brain is all over the place.” I snag his leash from the table by the door, and then we head out. As we hit the sidewalk, I pull my phone out of my pocket and type a text to Bella.

Bella:

I’m still with Meg. She had a change of plans, Liz is busy.

Me:

Think you’ll be much longer?

Bella:

I’m headed to my aunt’s next. Should be there in about forty minutes

Me:

Send me the details. I’ll come pick you up

Bella:

Why? I’ll call an Uber or ask Meg to give me a ride

Me:

Because I miss you

Bella:

Miss you too, but I’m not buying it. Why?

Me:

Miller knows you’re with Meg. I don’t want him to corner you. Let me pick you up

A moment later, a text with an address appears. Good girl.

Me:

I’ll be there in thirty. Wait for me

Bella:

Yes sir

Puffing air out of my lungs, I slip my phone back into my pocket and follow Milo’s lead. I just hope Miller thinks Bella and Meg split up earlier and he isn’t out looking for her.

* * *

Meg hugs Bella tightly, and when she pulls back, they’re both laughing. As Bella heads my way, her friend gives me a small wave then makes her way to her car.

“Did you have fun?” I ask as she slips in beside me.

She holds my gaze as she buckles her seat belt, a genuine smile on her face. “I did. Meg and I haven’t spent enough time together lately.”

I dip my chin. “Glad you had the chance, then.”

Bella folds her arms over her chest and sticks out her bottom lip, feigning a pout. “I really could’ve called an Uber. What can Jake possibly do to me in public?”

With a press of the ignition button, I sigh. “I’m worried he could follow you somewhere private.”

Rather than respond, she lowers her head and taps out a text on her phone. Then, like I figured she would, she changes the subject. “My aunt asked me to stay the night. I said yes.”

As happy as I am that she has her aunt in her corner, someone who loves her unconditionally, I’m still worried about Miller. He could easily show up there.

And, selfishly, I’ll miss her…even though it’s just one night.

“What if Jake shows up?”

“He looked for me there twice already. I doubt he thinks I’m staying there.”

When the light ahead of us turns red, I bring the car to a stop and narrow my eyes on her.

“You need to break up with him for real. Why prolong it if you know you don’t want to be with him?”

Her shoulders slump. “That’s one of the reasons I want to see my aunt, to talk to her about it. Meg let me bounce ideas off her too. I don’t know exactly how I’ll do it yet, but it was helpful.”

Ten minutes later, I pull up in front of her aunt’s house and survey the facade, realizing there isn’t a single light on. I unbuckle my seat belt and turn to look at her.

“You sure she’s waiting for you?”

“Yeah, she responded to my text when you picked me up. She probably went to lie down,” she mutters. “I’ll let myself in. I don’t want to trouble you more than I already have.”

“It’s not a problem, but I selfishly want you to come home with me. Any chance I can convince you to change your mind?”

Though a spark of interest ignites in her eyes, she quickly blinks it away. “Sorry. I haven’t seen Millie in weeks. I miss her.”

I put my hand on the back of her head and draw her face to mine. Our kiss is slow, and it awakens something primal in me. I suck on her bottom lip and sink my teeth into it before releasing it again.

“God, what am I going to do without you?” I press a kiss to her jaw, then her neck.

“I’ll make it up to you,” she mewls, sounding as turned on as I am.

I cover her mouth with mine again, and when I pull away, we’re both short of breath. My heartbeat is like the revving engine of a Formula 1 car, fast and intense.

“What are your plans for tonight?” Bella asks, fixing her hair.

“I hadn’t thought about it, but your words about your family made me realize I could actually visit mine. Mom will be happy.”

“I’m sure your parents miss you.” She checks her reflection in the car visor and turns to me. “I feel bad; you’ve barely seen them since I started staying at your place.”

“Stop. I talk to them every day. They know how busy I get during football season.” I catch her hand and hold it between my palms. “Plus, I’m happy you’re staying with me.”

“Me too.” She plants a light peck on my lips then grips the door handle. “I gotta go.”

I hop out too and round the car so I can walk her to the door. Just as I take her hand, I look up and find Bella’s cousin watching us. His eyebrows reach his hairline, and the guy beside him stops short and gawks, his mouth agape.

I lift my free hand and thread my fingers through my hair. “Hey, Ben.”