Chapter 16

Bella

Patting down the fabric of my skirt, I look in the mirror and smile. This should do the trick if I accidentally bump into Drew today. Regret is a fickle emotion, and I want him to regret everything.

“Really?” My roommate, Marissa, watches me while stuffing a few Cheetos in her mouth. “You’re going out in a skirt again?” She raises a brow pointedly and shakes her ginger head like a disapproving mother.

I shrug, not making eye contact, and pat down the green and black plaid fabric instead. The little homage to the school colors is purely accidental, but if I happen to see a certain football player, I’m hoping the cheerleader-esque look might garner his attention, even if it’s just for a few seconds.

“Why not? Now that I’m cast-free and can shave both my legs, I feel like I need to show it off.”

Marissa laughs, typing something on her laptop before bringing all her attention back to me. “Yeah, but we aren’t in Tampa, and it’s colder than Iceland at night out there. I didn’t think you had a death wish, but if going out and freezing to death floats your boat, then who am I to judge?”

She raises her knee, cuddling it close to her chest while she watches me put some clear lip gloss on. “Okay, seriously, don’t bend forward like that. Your ass is showing.”

“Don’t worry,” I hum, tossing the lip gloss onto my desk. “I’ve got shorts on.”

“So not the point.”

“Come on. It’s not that bad. I’ve stood out in worse weather with less on.” The day I stood outside with my crutches and just Drew’s t-shirt comes to mind.

Marissa’s eyebrows furrow. “Do I want to know?”

“Probably not.” I laugh and do one final twirl in the mirror. The skirt flips up, but I like it.

“Where are you going so early, anyway? I didn’t think you had classes on Wednesdays?”

“I don’t. I’m going to the gym for a physiotherapy session my dad arranged for me.”

A wry smile grows on her face. “Ah, that explains it,” she says while smugly popping another Cheeto in her mouth.

I turn on my heel, enjoying how my skirt flits with the movement. If Drew sees me in this, he’ll surely flip and have to start answering my texts. “Explains what?”

“Why you’re dressed like a naughty school girl looking to get spanked.” I have no words.

“Don’t worry.” She giggles. “Everyone dresses up for him. It’s natural to want to look your best.” Marissa waves off her comment like it’s no big deal, but my heart is firmly beating out of its chest with all the questions whirring through my brain.

Who else is dressing up for Drew? Does she know about what happened? Who else knows? Why is everyone else interested in him too?

“Th-Th-They d-d-do?” Maybe this skirt won’t be enough to get his attention, that is, if I see him. It’s been days since the bathroom incident, and Drew’s been ignoring my texts longer than he ever answered them. He’s keeping me on my toes, and I don’t know if it’s because he’s trying to teach me a lesson or if he genuinely has moved on.

“Don’t look so disappointed. That skirt will definitely catch his eye, but I’m just warning you to be realistic. You’ve got competition.”

I bite down on the inside of my cheek. She’s right. I do. And my biggest competition is Brianna.

“I know that already. I just wish I hadn’t screwed things up when I had the chance.” I should have heard him out the first time, instead of assuming that he didn’t want me for the long term. Now I’m paying the price.

That admission makes Marissa stand. With wide eyes, she walks over to me. “Are you telling me you got with Edo? When did that happen? How did that happen? I didn’t think you were into guys like him.” She turns, talking to herself. “I don’t know whether I should be happy for you or pissed off. I’ve been trying to get that guy's attention for years, and nada. Nothing.”

Scrunching my eyebrows in confusion, I watch as she paces the room. “Uh, Marissa. I don’t know who Edo is.”

She stops and grins. “So it’s not him, then?” I shake my head. “Thank god, I didn’t know how that would go for a second. I thought we couldn’t be friends anymore.”

“You’d dump me for this guy?”

“You haven’t seen him. I swear he literally sweats sex.” She shakes her head and closes her eyes dreamily.

“I’ve never heard of Edo in my life.”

“Oh, you just wait.” She wiggles her eyebrows in jest. “He’s everything and more. You might have to rethink your friendship with me once you see him. Although, I doubt he’d go near you since you’re related to his employer.”

“That’s fine. I’m not interested, anyway. You can keep Edo and your fantasies.” I laugh it off, feeling lighthearted for the first time since I broke my leg.

“Who are you dressing up for then?”

“Myself.” I shrug. “Can’t we all feel confident?”

“I’m all for confidence. However, you just told me you wanted to get someone’s attention, so are you going to tell me who that someone is if it isn’t the resident gym hottie?”

“No one.”

“Bella,” she warns. “Your collarbone is flushed, and your left nostril is twitching. It’s the same tell as last week when you told me you hadn’t thrown out my Cheetos.”

“What do you want me to say? The place stank of cheese when I came in. Only after being away for so long did I realize how bad it was. No wonder Peter ran away last year when I invited him up. I think you might have a problem, which unfortunately affects my dating life.”

“And I think you might have a crush,” she teases. “Why else would you go all out for a gym session?”

“I’m not going all out.”

“You’re wearing waterproof mascara and red lipstick. Just tell me what’s going on. You know I’ll get it out of you, eventually. You might as well tell me now and save yourself the trouble.”

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes. “Fine. It’s Drew.”

“Drew?” I watch her process that information; it takes surprisingly longer than expected. “As in Drew McCallister?” I nod. “Drew, the guy you’ve complained about since you got here?”

“It’s no big deal.”

“Are you kidding? If you’re not talking about the classes you hate, you’re bitching about Drew. I stopped listening a long time ago because it was getting repetitive. Kind of like hearing the same Taylor Swift break-up song repeatedly. The first few times you think the track is amazing and really captures the feeling, but then you start to learn about all these secret messages in the lyrics and you wonder if she’d be happier if she stopped dating.”

“Careful there.”

“What the hell happened?” I haven’t told her or anyone about staying with Drew over the break. It felt weird to admit it because people would ask me questions, and I didn’t know how to answer them.

“Nothing to write home about.” It’s the biggest, fattest lie I’ve ever told, and I’m lucky I have a whole year to make up for it because Santa wouldn’t be giving me anything for that whopper. Everything happened.

I finally saw straight for the first time in my life, and instead of embracing it, I let it go. Happy to live in my world with rose-tinted glasses.

She narrows her eyes, watching my reaction. “I don’t believe you.”

Not making eye contact, I check my phone for the tenth time in the last three minutes and say, “And you don’t have to. I’m going to be late. See you at dinner tonight.”

As I leave the dorm, Marissa shouts, “I’m going to find out sooner or later, whether you like it or not.”

With that, I shut the door and head to my physio session, hoping that I’ll bump into Drew but knowing he’s avoiding me like the plague. I can’t say I’m surprised about it.

As I make my way to the gym, I’m getting more stares than usual, and I don’t know if it’s because of the length of my skirt or if people know what happened over the break. Drew’s not one to tell people, but Jacob knows something went on, and I don’t know enough about him to know if he’d spread that around to everyone he can. Coach’s daughter with a QB. That’s big gossip, after all, and I’d have no one to blame but myself if it got out.

My feet slow as I inch closer to the gym because Brianna is standing outside, talking to a few of her friends, and even in gym gear, she looks like Michelangelo sculpted her. I’m surprised she’s allowed in the gym looking borderline indecent. Wearing flesh-colored leggings with a scrunch in the back, her ass is on full display.

Gosh, I could only wish to have that kind of confidence in my assets.

I guess I was wrong about all the stares. They weren’t for me. They were directed at her. Everything is always directed at her.

Even Drew’s attention.

God, she’s stunning, and knowing she gets to spend time with Drew makes my blood boil. He told me they were never really a thing, but that didn’t stop the gnawing feeling of jealousy in my heart because, look at her. What man wouldn’t want her?

Like a dagger to my heart, I have no doubt that she’s the one he moved on with, and that hurts more than I’d ever admit.

Striding past, I do my best to walk by confidently, not that she notices me. I’m just a speck in her existence; I doubt she knows who I am or even cares.

I just hope one day I can feel the same about her.

“Bella.” My physiotherapist Caroline snaps her fingers in front of my face, drawing me out of my mini hell. “Are you listening?” Sitting on the rowing machine with my feet strapped in, I should be attentively following her instructions, but I can’t. I’ve been immobilized by brown eyes and a pair of amazing breasts.

Drew just walked into the gym with Brianna draped all over him, and I want to die. Yes, I know I planned on seeing him here – I even dressed cutely, just in case - but this wasn’t what I expected. I thought I’d see him with his teammates, not with her.

And he looks so happy. She whispers something in his ear, and his hand squeezes against her hip.

I want to vomit.

“Your form is all wrong,” Caroline continues. “What are you looking at?” Her gaze follows mine. “Oh, are you staring at Edo?” She laughs. “Sorry to tell you, but he’s into guys.”

I shake my head, focusing on Caroline. “What is with everyone’s obsession with Edo?” I whisper under my breath, quickly glancing at him. Sure, he’s cute with floppy bronzed hair and a wide smile, but he’s not Drew-level hot. No one is.

“I don’t see it either.” Caroline shrugs. “But the disappointment I see on my clients’ faces when they get me is disheartening, to say the least. He’s booked up six weeks in advance and he’s the worst physio here. Even Jacob Miller uses him, but I think that’s because he’s trying to avoid me more than anything else.”

“Why’s Jacob avoiding you?”

Her face pinkens. “Probably not appropriate to talk about here, but I may have thrown myself at him freshman year, completely unaware he had a girl back home.”

“Oh.” I bite my lip, but decide not to hold back. “Yeah, I’ve heard he’s still hung up her.”

“And that’s why I need to stay away and find a guy worthy of me.”

“Good plan.”

“So, if it’s not Edo, then what are you staring at?”

“Nothing.” I cover up the high-pitched response and quickly change the subject by grabbing my leg. “It’s just it hurts my calf to bend like that.”

I flinch when I hear Drew's deep, hearty chuckle and swallow all that is left of my pride. He hasn’t noticed I’m here, but he’s all I think about.

“No problem, let me just manipulate your leg a little bit.” She bends down and massages my sore leg, giving me time to look around. Drew’s by the water machine, still not working out, but looking absolutely perfect in his gym shorts and tight black shirt. Has he just come out to pose or something?

Brianna offers him some of her water, and Drew gladly accepts. His forearms glisten as he lifts the bottle, and I choke when I see his throat bobbing as he swallows the water.

I’m suddenly feeling a little parched myself.

“Bella. Are you okay?” Caroline pops her head up, looking at me with concern.

“I’m fine,” I squeak out, holding back the cough that’s threatening to out me to the whole room.

I can’t watch Drew moving on in front of me. Thinking about it is one thing, but seeing it is quite another. Especially with Brianna’s scrunchy leggings overtly showing off her ass. “You know what? I forgot I have class in ten minutes. I need to go.”

With that, I unstrap my feet from the pedals and don’t make eye contact with Caroline. “But your dad sent me your schedule last week. You’re free all day.” Urgh. Why does my father have to be so involved all the time?

“Ah yeah, I’ve changed it.” Swinging my leg over the machine, I stand and dust off my shorts so I don’t have to look at Drew, or anyone else again. “I’ll let you know some other times I’m free so we can reschedule.”

“Okay, but remember to stretch when you get home. I’ll know if you don’t,” she calls after me, and I wave her off.

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Dropping my head to the floor, I rush to the exit, hoping to get out of here before Drew, or anyone else for that matter, notices me. So much for him seeing me today and falling desperately in love with me.

As I’m shuffling out, my toe catches against one of the black mats, and I fall directly onto a firm chest. “I’m sorry,” I cry, clutching onto the guy’s hard pecs for dear life. Corded muscles hold me tight, and my heart beats so fast that I swear I’m having a heart attack.

I’ve fallen onto Drew again, haven’t I?

Looking up, the relief of not seeing brown eyes is short-lived because a pair of green ones are twinkling back instead. Jacob grins at me like he knows my biggest secret. Although, I guess he does.

That I’m desperately in love with my supposed enemy.

“Why are you running so fast, Bella? Afraid to face up to something?”

Gulping, my gaze darts around the room because I’ve definitely made a scene. Everyone in the gym is silently staring at me in Jacob’s arms. Everyone, including Drew and Brianna.

“What’s her problem? Has she got the hots for Jacob?” Brianna asks Drew, and before I can hear his answer, I jump out of Jacob’s arms and adjust my ponytail. Oh, how I wished out of all the athletes, I would have fallen for one that is so much less complicated, but alas, Drew is the only guy I want.

“I’m late,” I yelp before sidestepping Jacob and running out of the room like my underwear is on fire.

If there are any snickers, my heart is beating too erratically to hear them. I slam the double doors open and run for the locker rooms.

God, I’m so embarrassed.