Page 32

CHAPTER 32

ISABELLA IS YOURS

BELLA

November

“Izzy, stop.” A warm palm covers my bouncing knee. “Everything’s going to be alright, I promise.”

I take a deep breath and will my mind to stop racing. Keeping my head on straight was pretty easy…until it wasn’t. The second Jake zeroed in on me in the stands, my heart started racing. Ten minutes later, it’s still hammering in my chest. I’m a mess, and if things don’t go the way I planned, I’m gonna lose it.

Jake Miller is my ex-boyfriend…he just doesn’t know it yet.

“Bella!” At the sound of my name, I turn and find Audrey approaching with the brightest smile on her lips. She’s wearing a cute denim dress, her long hair loose around her shoulders.

“Damn, you’re like a needle in a haystack. For a second, I was worried you changed your mind and stayed home.”

I introduce her to Meg, and she settles beside me.

She scans the crowd, then peers up at the suite designated for players’ families. “I figured you’d be up there rather than in the stands.”

“We prefer to sit here.” Meg gives me a sly wink. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought Audrey sounded a bit snobbish.

Oblivious, Audrey leans into me. “Do you think the Warriors will win?”

“Of course. They’re amazing, especially your brother.”

She smirks. “I heard at least five girls talking about him while I was searching for you. God, they were a mess, like they’d pee their pants if he spoke to them.”

“We did too,” Meg chuckles. “One said she wants to wait for him in the parking lot.”

“Ugh, it’s like my college days all over again. He was still in high school, but more than one of my friends was dying to hook up with him.”

I don’t blame them. Xander is the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, and I thought that before I got to know him.

Smiling to myself, I focus my attention on the field.

I hope the Warriors win.

* * *

With three minutes left on the clock, they’re ahead by a single point.

I can’t stop shifting in my seat. I’m a wreck. The game could go either way, and I can’t stand the anticipation. The offense is lined up. Helmet tilted as if he’s scanning the defense, Xander is crouched behind their center, TJ Harris.

“Bella?” Audrey says, bumping my shoulder. “Do you have plans Wednesday evening?”

“Not really. Why?”

“It’s my birthday, and I’m having a small gathering. I’d love for you to come.”

“Oh.” I straighten. “I’d love to come…”

“But?” She smiles at me with faux innocence, batting her eyelashes.

My defenses are up, because what the hell is she up to? I swallow thickly. “You don’t know me. Why would you want me to come to a party with your close friends and family?”

She bursts into laughter. “Based on how comfortable you and my brother are around each other, I have no choice but to like you too.”

“That doesn’t explain anything.”

“Alex was broody as hell at dinner the other night. I don’t want him to be like that at my party, so inviting you is my best bet.”

Could that really be it? She looks sincere, and I could see myself doing something like that for Ben. Maybe I’ve become too guarded. I can’t imagine what ulterior motive she could have.

“Okay. I’ll come.”

“Yay! I’m so happy to hear that.” She wraps her arm around me, hugging me tightly. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

Nodding, I turn back to the game, hopefully signaling I’m done speaking. The party is three days away, and for now I have more important matters to attend to…like breaking up with Jake.

Just as I’m focusing on the field, Meg clutches my hand and shouts, “Oh my God! It’s a quarterback sneak!”

There, running down the field, is Xander. He’s got the ball tucked under one arm. Holy shit. If he scores, they’ll win. The offensive line crashes forward, and he’s right behind them.

Focus fixed on him, I sit at the edge of my seat, my knees bouncing. He’s unstoppable as he races to the end zone. I have never watched Jake play with as much interest as I watch the Warriors’ quarterback.

The thought settles, and I forget how to breathe. I’m enjoying watching football because I enjoy watching Xander.

Just as he runs into the end zone, the clock runs out. The ref throws his hands in the air.

On either side of me, Audrey and Meg jump up, screaming and clapping.

My heart roars like thunder. I can’t move a muscle because it’s just hit me: I’m in love with Xander.

This simple thought crashes against my insides and makes my body shudder. How did I let this happen? I’m an idiot.

Mustering all my strength, I put my emotions in a box and lock it up tight before I stand and do my best to show enthusiasm. The Warriors, with forty-one points, are celebrating their win. They deserve all the praise for a well-played game. That’s all that matters now.

* * *

Meg walks in front of me, her fingers curled around mine. I’m dragging my feet, dreading the inevitable talk with Jake. Audrey’s chatter helps, distracting me and easing my anxiety a fraction.

When we enter the family waiting area outside the team’s locker room, some of the players are already here. Audrey rushes to Xander and throws her arms around him, diverting his attention solely to her.

Biting my bottom lip, I scan the crowd until I spot Jake. He’s standing a few feet from Xander, talking and laughing with Marco and Drew Carter. Meg leads me over to them and gives my hand a firm, reassuring squeeze. I flash her a cautious smile and let go of her hand so she can congratulate Marco on their win.

Inhale.

Exhale.

You’ve got this, Bella.

I touch Jake’s arm, and he turns.

“Congratulations! You were incredible.” I turn to look at Marco and Drew. “You guys too.”

“We came determined to win.” Marco winks at me and hauls Meg into his arms.

The way she beams makes my heart ache. Seeing her so happy puts a smile on my face, loosening the tight knots in my rigid muscles.

“Yeah, we stepped onto the field knowing we would be winners.” Jake loops an arm around my waist and kisses the top of my head. “You’re my lucky charm, babe.”

This man owns so many of my firsts: my first kiss, my first sexual experience. My first love. In high school, I dreamed about one day becoming his wife. Now that the dream has the potential to become a reality, it’s the last thing I want.

With Jake, my dreams will turn into nightmares.

He’s manipulative and authoritarian, abusive and cruel. His gaslighting and unfaithfulness are just a few of so many red flags I’ve ignored. I have more than enough reasons to walk away and never look back.

And the cherry on top? I’ve managed to fall for his teammate.

“We’re having a celebratory dinner. Are you guys coming?” Drew asks, eyeing Jake and me.

“Of course!” Jake confirms, his fingers digging into my side. “It’s perfect, because we’re about to have another reason to celebrate.” He squints at me, his lips curling into a grin.

How did I ever think that expression was a kind one? Where I used to see affection, now all I see is malice.

“What do you mean?” Marco asks.

Suddenly, I feel like I’m floating above my body. What happens next plays out in slow motion. Jake kneels in front of me and holds out a little velvet box.

My vision darkens, and my lungs constrict. This can’t be happening.

“Isabella, if there’s anything I love in this life, it’s football…and you. You’re everything to me, and with each day that passes, I fall more and more in love with you.”

The room is silent, suffocating. Every eye is fixed on us, making my skin crawl and my legs quiver.

“Will you be my wife?”

“Oh shit,” Meg says quietly.

Unshed angry tears blur my vision. He trapped me so easily. I was a fool to think I’d be safe in public.

“Isabella, baby, will you be my wife?” he repeats, his eyes flaring in warning.

If I humiliate him in front of his teammates, he’ll make things so much worse for me, especially considering how upset he was when I left him at his mom’s birthday dinner. He’d raise hell if I said no to him now.

Be convenient .

The words that have run through my head on repeat for years surface, but for the first time in my whole life, I mentally bat them away.

Fuck no.

Flexing my jaw, I force a smile. I’ll play by his rules for now, because the consequences of saying no scare me more, but I’m not changing my mind. Ben should be at Jake’s place already, waiting for me so I can get my stuff. This proposal changes nothing. I’m done with him and this relationship.

I nod, wearing the fakest smile. Like a mantra, I tell myself over and over that this means nothing.

He jumps to his feet and slides a huge diamond ring onto my finger. It’s heavy and sparkly, but I can’t bring myself to care. He steps closer and scoops me into his arms, covering my mouth with his. It’s a show. He wants everyone in the room to know I belong to him, that I’m his property. His future trophy wife. A lesser human he can order around and force to do whatever the hell he wants, including giving him babies…just like he told Xander.

The kiss lasts an eternity. A very strange eternity, because as my lips are fused to his, the gaze of another person burns into me like a brand. Finally, Jake breaks the kiss and peers at me. His breathing is erratic, and his hard cock strains against my hip.

I fight back a shudder.

It means nothing.

“Miller, don’t you think that was a bit much?” Xander’s voice drifts to me. “That level of PDA was way more than my poor heart can handle.”

“Sorry, I got carried away,” Jake quips, pressing me harder against his chest.

“Don’t worry. We all know Isabella is yours.” Xander’s eyes find mine, and my heart plummets. Those blue depths swim with so much hurt. “Congratulations, you two.” He nods, a tight smile plastered onto his mouth. Then he turns around and heads into the locker room.

The next few minutes are a blur. Congratulations, kisses on my cheek, hugs and shaking hands. My brain barely registers what’s going on around me. I’m just playing along for now so I can fix it later.

“Wait for me here,” Jake tells me as he steps back, ready to follow his teammates into the locker room.

“Sure.” I soften my voice. “Meg will keep me company. Maybe Audrey too.”

“Audrey?”

I nod. “Xander’s sister.”

He scoffs. “I don’t want you spending time with that bitch. She’s scheming and manipulative.”

Look who’s talking.

“She’s been nothing but nice to me. I think you’re wrong.”

“I’m never wrong, Isabella.” He glances at someone behind me and purses his lips. “Wait for me. I’ll take you home so you can get ready for dinner. You’ll need to dress up. We’re celebrating our engagement.”

With one more brief kiss, he trudges into the locker room.

I exhale a shaky breath and turn, coming face-to-face with my best friend. Meg hugs me tight, whispering over and over that everything’s going to be fine. I hold on to her for a moment before I step away, needing one to myself.

A fucking avalanche of regret crashes down on me, poisoning my mind. Thinking I had everything under control was a huge mistake. Getting involved with Xander was my undoing.

More than anything, I need to make things right.

I don’t know what it will cost me or how Jake will react when he sees Ben at his house, but this fake engagement ends tonight.

I’m done.