Page 76 of Full Split

I swallow hard. “They’re not true,” I say automatically.

She smiles sadly. “I know that, Niles.”

God, if only she did. What would she think if she knew that one tiny part of it is actually true? Would she judge me? Be disappointed in me? Would she believe the rest of the lies?

“All those things they’re saying about you and Weston. About your coaches and other teammates. I can’t imagine what it feels like to have the world dig through your personal life like that. And then to have your own teammates question you?”

It feels like suffocating.

“Do you want to talk about the tension between you and Weston? I know that has to hurt more than anything. I can’t imagine it has anything to do with the rumors.”

She couldn’t be more wrong, but I let her believe it. They can all believe what they want.

“Wyatt’s your coach. Weston’s your teammate and your best friend. They’re your family.” She leans forward slightly. “And now they’re caught in the storm with you. I’m sure that’s created a lot of undue stress. But don’t push the people that love you away.”

I clench my jaw.

“People affect performance, Niles. You’re not a machine. You’re a human being under attack.”

“I’m trying not to let it.”

“You can’t pretend forever. You need to talk to someone. You’re carrying all of this alone, bottling it up, and any moment now, that pressure is going to come to a head.”

She raises an eyebrow, her soft expression boring into my eyes and my head where it feels like she can read every lie and mistake I’ve ever made. I crack under the pressure of her kindness, even though I know she wouldn’t be so kind if she really did know the whole truth.

“Weston needs his dad. And Wyatt… he loves his son more than anything.” My voice shakes. “They’re all I have. And I’m losing both of them.”

I pull in a shaky breath. My throat clicks as I swallow dryly. “It just feels like… everything’s slipping.”

“You’re not going to lose them.”

“You don’t know that.”

She thinks Weston is upset because I’m pushing him away. She has no idea that he walked in on me naked in his dad’s bed. That I betrayed him. Lied to him. Hurt him.

“You’re right. I don’t. But I know you’re not alone.” She stands up quietly and places a hand on my shoulder. “Talk to them. Both of them. Whatever’s between you, however complicated it is, they need to hear it. And so do you,” she says softly.

I nod, but I don’t mean it.

Because Weston already knows the truth. That’s why he hates me.

I’m leaving the team suite when I hear them.

Wyatt and Weston, arguing. I follow the voices down the corridor, until I’m close enough to hear.

“I’m not trying to hurt you, West.”

“Then what the hell do you call this? How could you?” Weston snaps.

Because I provoked him.

“You’re my dad,” Weston hisses. “And he’s my best friend. He’smyage. How the hell am I supposed to be okay with that?”

“Weston—”

“What happens when it’s over?”

“What do you mean by that?”