Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
He was leaving and didn’t bother to tell me about the offer. Just like Wesley had done. Just like Nathan had done years before, too. There was no way that was possible.
Just like that, the make-believe world I had created with Nathan crashed straight into reality.
With a busy mind, I pulled out my cell phone and called the apartment complex in town. “Hi there. I was just calling to see if that one-bedroom apartment was still available. I’d like to come through today and sign a lease for it if possible.”
After I hung up the phone, I texted Nathan.
Avery
Can you lead practice tonight? I have some things to handle.
Nathan
Yeah. Is everything okay?
Avery
Everything’s good.
Nathan
Okay. I’ll see you afterward.
Avery
Yeah. All right.
I headed back to school for the remainder of the day, and afterward, I headed to the apartment complex to sign the lease. That took some time, then I headed back to Nathan’s place and began to pack my suitcases. I needed to get out of that place and away from him as soon as possible. My heart couldn’t take much more breaking. I was reaching the point where I had little to nothing left.
Unfortunately, I didn’t end up packing fast enough because Nathan showed up early from practice to find me about to walk out with my suitcases.
He arched an eyebrow. “Avery. What are you doing?”
I blinked a few times and shook my head. “I signed a new apartment lease. I should be able to move in next week, but for the time being, I’m going to go stay with my dad.”
His brows narrowed as confusion swirled in his eyes. “Wait, what? You’re leaving?”
“We knew this arrangement was temporary, Nathaniel. I was always going to get an apartment,” I said as I started to walk toward the front door.
He stepped in front of me, tossing his hands up in confusion. “Wait, I’m sorry, slow down. You’re acting weird.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. Why didn’t you tell me you were signing a lease?”
“Since when do I have to tell you everything I do?” I snipped at him.
“You don’t, but…” He shook his head. “This just feels like I’m being blindsided a bit.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Isn’t that a shitty feeling?”
His brows knitted. “What’s that supposed to mean? What’s going on, Avery?”
“Nothing,” I argued. “I’m just leaving.”
“Why would you stay at your father’s place instead of staying here for the week before moving in? Why would you even want to leave? I don’t get it.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t get why I had to hear about you getting offered a position at Prest University from Cameron. Then again, I guess that’s what we do. Keep shit to ourselves.”
His eyes grew somber as the reality of the situation settled in. “Shit.”
“Yeah. Shit,” I echoed. “Please move.”
“Listen, Avery…I didn’t know Cameron even knew about the offer. He misspoke.”
“Doubtful. He made it very clear that it would be great having you as his coach when he headed off to Prest. I think this is great. I think it’s great that I had to hear it from a student instead of from you,” I sarcastically remarked.
“I was going to tell you…”
“Why not last night? Did it slip your mind when you were fucking me against your dining room table? Did it somehow go forgotten while you fucked me in the shower and told me you loved me?”
His eyes widened as if I were speaking in a different language. “Like I said, it was a misunderstanding. Let me explain—”
“No,” I spat out. “I don’t want your explanation. I want to leave.”
“Yes, Coach Reed offered me a position, but I’m going to turn it down.”
“Going to? So you made him think there was a chance? You’re considering it?”
“No, but in person, he wouldn’t take no for an answer and—”
Tears.
They wanted so desperately to fall.
“Nathaniel, move,” I ordered as he continued to block the front door.
“Avery—”
“Move!” I shouted, my rage building more and more each second.
“You’re scared.”
“Excuse me?”
“Should I have told you last night? Yes. But it wasn’t at the forefront of my mind, seeing how I had no plans of taking the job. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I fucked up with that.”
“Okay. Cool. Now move.”
“No. I won’t because you’re scared. You’re scared of this—of us—because we are getting serious. You’re trying to push me away before we can get closer because you’re scared.”
“Don’t tell me what I am!” I spat out. “The last thing I need is Nathaniel Pierce to tell me what I am!”
“You’re fucking scared, Avery!” he shouted, his hands tossing up in frustration as he paced the room. “You’re so fucking scared of being left that you are trying to run before that could happen again, and I get it. I fucking get it, but I’m not Wesley, Avery, and I’m not that fucked-up, scared kid that I was when I left before. I’m here. I’m solid,” he swore, pounding his hand against his chest. “I’m not leaving. So you can either be scared with me, and we work through this together, or you’ll have to be the one to walk because you don’t get to rewrite this story. You don’t get to go ten years down the road from now and tell the story that Nathan Pierce left you because I made a promise to you. I promised you I wouldn’t fucking do that. I’m staying, Ave. I’m standing here, and I’m staying. So fuck…just stay here with me, too.”