Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
I smirked and got into place for Phil to hike me the ball. He did just that, and as I caught it, I rose my hands to throw it Holly’s way. Before I could, I had the wind knocked out of me as my body flew backward, and an elbow slammed into my eye.
“What the…?” I remarked, slamming hard against the football field.
I looked up to see MJ standing over me with a smug look. He tossed his hands up in surrender. “My bad.”
“Dude, what the hell? It’s touch football,” Alec said as he hurried over and shoved MJ. “You could’ve hurt someone.” Alec held a hand out toward me. “You okay, Kai?”
I took his hand, and he pulled me to my feet. “Yeah. I’m good.”
“It was an accident,” MJ urged, but it was the opposite.
“His eye is already swelling. Come on to the locker room with me, Kai. I’ll get you an ice pack,” Alec offered.
Holly rushed over to me and touched my face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just got the wind knocked out of me.”
She shot MJ a harsh look. “You’re a freaking jerk!”
“It was an accident!” he echoed again, even though it was clear as day that nothing about that tackle was an accident. It was personal. The only ones who believed it to be an accident were Holly’s parents, completely blindsided by the incident.
Alec took me to the locker room, and I sat on a bench as I waited for him to find the ice pack. My face tingled from the blow I took to my eye, but I wasn’t going to complain. It could’ve been worse.
“You do know Holly is right about MJ, right?” I asked Alec as he brought me the ice pack.
He cleared his throat and nodded as he placed the pack he’d wrapped in a paper towel against my eye.
“Hold it here.” I did as he said. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you think he still has feelings for Holly?”
“No. I think MJ’s jealous of what he can’t have.”
“But he has me. I don’t understand why that’s not enough.”
“Don’t do that, Alec.”
“Do what?”
“Start thinking you’re not good enough. He’s an asshole. It’s him that’s the problem. It’s not you.”
He sat down on the bench beside me and clasped his hands together. “It might be hard to believe, but I don’t have people throwing themselves at me,” he nervously laughed. “I’m a tall, skinny, geeky-looking guy. I’m not pulling in men regularly. MJ was the first person to show real interest in me. At least, that’s what I thought it was. It turned out he was showing interest to many others. When I asked to make things exclusive, he disagreed and said we should move slowly and authentically. I accepted it because what was the other option? Be alone?”
“That’s always an option.”
“I’ve been alone.” He shook his head. “It’s not for me. I’m good at a lot of things. I’m good at work. I’m great at making money. But I’m awful at socializing. I’m awkward and nothing like Holly. She’s a star without even trying. People love her quirks, while mine makes people uncomfortable. So, when MJ decided to stick around after the merger of my company when he said he fell in love with me and wanted to marry me…I held on tight.”
“After the merger.”
He snickered, but the sound was soaked in sadness. “I know.”
“He doesn’t care about you. Not in the way you deserve. You can do better than him.”
“That’s the thing. I don’t think I can. What if this is it for me? What if this is the only opportunity that comes? I’d rather be half-loved than not loved at all.” He stood from the bench. “I’m sorry about your eye.”
“I’ll make it.” He started walking away, and I called after him. “Be a bit aware. Watch how he treats you at all times, not just in the make-believe happy moments. Because that is what they are, make-believe. Nothing about him is true, and half-love isn’t a thing. It’s either full or not there at all. Don’t let his momentary glimpses of care confuse you with what love is.”
He didn’t reply but walked past Holly, who was entering as he exited.
She walked over to me and sat on the bench. “Are you all right?”
“I’m good.” I lowered the ice pack from my face.
She lightly touched it with her fingers. “It’s bruising a bit.”
“You should see the other guy,” I joked.
“I did. Unfortunately, he looks fine.” She lay her head against my shoulder. “My parents will drive us back, so we don’t have to ride with MJ.”
“Probably for the best.” I tilted my head, so it rested on top of hers. “You know? This was the best gift I’d ever gotten, even with the black eye.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. I got you one last surprise.” She stood and hurried around the corner. When she returned, she shook her hips in pleasure, holding the football in her hands. “The game ball is officially yours.”