Loud voices echo from the hallway. Then the door bursts open. “I’m sure he went this w- What the actual-‘ I shove Lyle off me so fast he lands on his back, groaning. I scramble to fix my top, heat rushing up my neck. My eyes snap to the doorway – Liam. Thank God he’s at least decent enough to look away. “Yeah, he’s not here,” Liam blurts out to whoever’s behind him. He tries to shut the door quickly, but it’s too late.. noveldrama“Hm? That can’t be right,” a familiar face leans into the doorway, raising a perfect brow at the scene. His eyes flick between me, Lyle, and my still–wrinkled clothes, then he shakes his head and lets out a snort. “You can’t possibly be that desperate.” Aaron Cobalt, someone I’ve only ever seen on media outlets, says with so much condescension my entire body flushes red. But that’s not the worst part. Later, when Mr. Harris has the bright idea to reintroduce me to the team, for the sake of draft picks and newly traded players. Aaron crossed his arms from across the room, eyeing me with a look of disgust. He scoffs. “You?” PRESENT DAY Yeah, Aaron Cobalt is an asshole. And no amount of car rides and bashful behaviour can make up for it. ride,” “This is me,” I say, my voice clipped, as he pulls up outside my apartment. “Thanks for the He doesn’t reply. Fine by me. I reach for the handle and step out, slamming the door a little harder than necessary. The night air hits my face, cooler than expected, and I head for the building. But something makes me pause. I glance back. He’s still parked there. I can’t see his face through the tinted glass, but the headlights haven’t moved, the engine still running like he’s waiting for… something. Then, finally, the car rolls forward and disappears down the street. Thank God for small mercies. I’ve barely made it halfway through the door when my phone lights up. Lyle: Come over? I stare at the screen for a second, lips pressed tight. It was always easier to pretend I didn’t care when he wasn’t texting. When he wasn’t calling. When he was just… gone. But now? Now, I can feel every ounce of hurt and jealousy bubbling back up. Me: What? Got bored of the model already? Lyle: You know none of them could ever compare to you, gorgeous. (1 I actually let out a soft, bitter laugh. Seriously? I leave him on read, and it must hit him. He’s losing his grip. Good. Lyle: Please, my gorgeous girl. You’ll come, won’t you? Lyle: I’m sorry I left you behind. I didn’t mean to. Let me make it up to you. I still don’t reply. My fingers hover over the keyboard, heart racing. Lyle: Tessa, I want you. I need you. Lyle: Only you. Lyle: Please, Tessa. Just give me one more chance. And just like that… I fold. Because even when I know better, he says the right things in the exact wrong way, and suddenly I’m a puddle. My eyes sting, my chest tight. God, why does this always feel like a war I can’t win? I’d given Emilia so much grief about Zane. Swore I’d never be that girl. But at least she found a way to let go. Me: It’s 2AM. Lyle: I’ll send a car. Just say yes. I’ll do anything for you. My fingers shake. Me: I’ll be there. By morning, I wake up in an empty bed. There’s a note on the nightstand. “Hide the key under the mat. I’ll call you.” That’s it. I rub at my throat it’s sore. Figures. Dragging myself out of bed, I grab my phone and waddle over to the bathroom, barely making it before I could embarrass myself. Once I sit, I sigh in relief and unlock my phone to check my notifications. I take my sigh back. In fact, I can’t believe my eyes. My mouth drops. WHAT THE- “What the actual fuck is this?!”