The Rulebreaker

“Every weekend.” He smiles, nodding toward the back of the bar. “The guys are over there. Can I get you anything?”

“Just water.”

“Water?” He blinks at me. “On a Friday night?”

“I have to be up early for training, so yeah.” I smile sheepishly.

“Ah, I didn’t know you had practice tomorrow. We could’ve rescheduled this for tomorrow night.”

“No biggie. I kind of train every morning, so it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“Seven days a week?” He gawks at me. “I guess this is why you’re going pro and I’m not.”

I laugh as we reach the bar and he leans against it. I look over at the group of guys he pointed at earlier and notice they’ve taken over two booths and the standing room near the bar. That’s when I spot Maverick and my stomach does a little flip. He hasn’t seen me. He can’t, with the way his tongue is down the girl on his lap’s throat. I don’t miss the way his hand grazes over her chest, or the way she has a knee pressed up against his jeans, where he’s surely hiding a hard-on. The scene does something to me. I’m suddenly hot and cold at the same time. Angry and turned on. This is my best friend, for goodness’ sake. I really don’t want to feel this way around him or about him. I excuse myself and head straight to the back of the bar, in search of a bathroom. Once inside, I shut myself in a stall and press my back against the door, closing my eyes, willing my body to stop reacting to what I saw out there. Maybe I should leave. Maybe I should call it a night right this second, call Leyla or Ashley or Rea, or any one of my teammates to ask them if they’d let me crash at their place. I decide to go that route and take out my phone to text Leyla and Ashley first. They’re roommates, so surely one of them will answer quickly.

Once that’s settled, I exit the bathroom and rejoin Brian. He smiles when he sees me, then stops smiling when he takes a good look at my face.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t feel so well,” I say quietly in his ear.

It’s not a total lie. I don’t feel well being here. I chance a glance in Maverick’s direction and see that even though he’s still firmly grabbing onto the girl’s ass, he’s no longer making out with her. With the way he’s looking at her, like she’s the only person worthy of his attention, it doesn’t matter. My heart feels like it’s being stabbed repeatedly at the sight of it either way.

“You want me to take you home?”

“No, it’s okay. You should stay. You just got a drink and your friends are here.”

“You sure?” His brows pull together slightly and I can tell if I ask him to accompany me, he would.

“Positive.” I plaster the biggest smile on my face.

After a quick hug, I leave the bar and step into the Uber waiting for me outside. I could walk the few blocks home, but I’d never hear the end of it, not from my parents or Maverick. The driver and I small talk during the four minutes it takes for her to drop me off at the front of my house. I was going to Ashley and Layla’s, but changed my mind at the last minute. Once inside, I shut the door and take a breather. It’s quiet in here, the way it often is on weekends. I’m pulling my pajamas over my head when I hear my phone buzz and walk over to see a text from Mav.

Mav: Where are you?

I frown, and shoot back, Home. Why?

Mav: I just saw Brian and he said you left. Why didn’t you let him take you home? Did you walk?

Me: I Ubered. I was fine.

Mav: You should’ve told me. I would’ve gone with you.

I sigh heavily and plop down on the bed as I type, You were busy.

Mav: ???

Me: You had your tongue down that girl’s throat.

I see the three dots appear, disappear, and appear again as he types out a response. I’m not sure why I’m so invested in this conversation, to begin with, considering he’s obviously still at the bar and that girl is probably still sitting on his lap.

Mav: You still should’ve told me. I would’ve gone with you.

I stare at his response. I know Maverick better than anyone. I know he would have brought me home if I’d asked or told him, but what was I supposed to say? I was upset and turned on because of him and that was the reason I bailed on my date? I seriously need to get over him ASAP. Instead of responding, I set my phone on airplane mode, lock my door, and go to sleep.