The Heartbreaker

“Are you insane?” My voice is nearly a shriek.

The only reason I ever went to those Duke barbecues was because we were together, otherwise I wouldn’t have been caught dead at a Duke function. As it is, my parents low-key judged me for choosing to go to those barbecues and not theirs since I’m a UNC student, they’re UNC alumni, and my mother is a current employee, so you can say their hate for Duke goes deep in the already bad rivalry.

“Come on, Jo. Don’t be like that.”

“You cheated on me, Lawrence. You hurt me. I’m not giving you another shot. There’s literally no way.”

“None of this would have happened if you’d moved in with me.”

“Now you’re blaming me?” I laugh, even though I’m shaking. “That’s rich.”

“If you had moved in with me, she wouldn’t have been able to entrap me the way she did.”

“Entrap you.” I shake my head and look away. “Wow.”

“Just . . . let’s put it behind us.”

“I’m going to put it behind us but I’m not getting back together with you.” I meet his eyes so he sees how serious I am. “There’s no way in hell I’d ever date an athlete again. Ever.”

He shakes his head, sighing heavily. “Just think about it. Please.”

“Fuck you, Lawrence.” I walk away quickly.

“Just think about it. Tell me you’ll think about it.” He catches my arm just as I’m reaching my car.

“Maybe you should have treated her right to begin with.” Jagger’s voice snaps our attention in that direction.

He’s standing there with his friend beside him and they look menacing to say the least, Jagger with his jaw twitching and his body in a fighting stance and his friend, with the kind smile, is no longer smiling and is pretty freaking huge. It must be one of his teammates, which makes sense. The few times I’ve caught glimpses of Jagger through the years he’s either been surrounded by women, his teammates, or his brothers.

“Why don’t you mind your own fucking business?” Lawrence lets go of my arm. “This is between me and Josephine.”

“And me now since I don’t know how to mind my own business.” Jagger cocks his head, a lazy smile forming on his face. “Besides, my roommate’s business is my business.”

“Roommate?” Lawrence looks between Jagger and me before settling on me. “Is he serious?”

I swallow and nod. If I wanted to piss Lawrence off to begin with, I would have told him I was rooming with a guy. If I wanted to really piss him off, I would have said that guy was Jagger. I didn’t bring it up because I’m not that petty and I just want this over. The last thing I need is to rehash frenemies and poke old wounds.

“Wow, Josephine.” Lawrence barks out a laugh. “This is low even for you.”

“Even for me?” I raise my eyebrows, then scream, “Says the guy who fucked my friend.”

“Maybe you should leave before I start airing our dirty laundry,” Jagger says.

“Maybe you should stay the fuck out of it. Or are you pissed because you’re no longer starting?” Lawrence moves forward. “You should be happy about this, Jordan. Now you can take his spot on the field.”

“Careful, Pretty Boy. Wouldn’t want to fuck up your throwing arm before the season starts,” Jordan says.

“Okay. Everyone stop.” I step forward and stand between the three of them. I look up at Lawrence. “You need to leave. Now.” I look at Jagger on my other side. “You need to stay out of this.”

“I’m not staying out of it.” Jagger glares at Lawrence.

“You’re still pining after her. After all this time.” Lawrence chuckles, shaking his head. “Wow.”

Jagger steps forward, right into my palm, which I’m holding up and I know won’t do any good if he decides to charge at Lawrence, and from the way his chest is flexing against my hand, I have a feeling he’s really trying hard to rein it in right now.

“Please leave.” I shut my eyes, heart hammering. This can turn ugly quickly and I don’t want this on my already full conscience. “All of you. Please.”

Jagger backs away first. My eyes pop open and I see him walking away with Jordan. I let my hands fall at my sides and take a deep breath.

“See you at home, Jo,” Jagger says with a snicker as he turns around and walks toward a gray car that must be Jordan’s.

“I can’t believe you moved in with him,” Lawrence says behind me.

“It’s none of your fucking business who I move in with or what I do. Are we clear on that?” I raise an eyebrow. “Leave me alone.” I walk back to my car and drive away before he says another word.

The entire ride home, I’m shaking so hard that I consider pulling over, but I don’t and amongst everything running through my head are Lawrence’s words. You’re still pining after her. After all this time. What the hell did he mean by that? He can’t possibly think Jagger likes me. Right?