Page 11 of Break Away
“It was so intense,” I muttered.
Cade shook his head, but a faint smile touched the edge of his mouth. “Just think about it. That’s all we’re saying.”
“I have thought about it.”
“No,” Cade said. “You’ve reacted to it.”
My eyes cut to him as he stood, all controlled power and captain history even without the C anymore.
“You’re allowed to be done with Aura. You’re allowed to hate the house for what it reminds you of. You’re allowed to be pissed off that life keeps taking from you. But don’t confuse isolation with control.”
I hated him a little for that, mostly because he was right.
Briggs stood and clapped once, too loudly. “Beautiful. Annoying, but beautiful. Now hug it out.”
“Touch me and I’ll break your hand,” I said.
He smiled. “There he is in true form.”
The locker room door opened before I could answer, and the noise from the rest of the team spilled in. Freshmen shouted, sticks struck tile, and somebody yelled about post-practice food as life moved forward like it didn’t give a shit what any of us were carrying.
Coach called my name from the hall. “Wade. Media wants captains.”
Captain.
The word settled into me like a command.
I grabbed my jersey from the hook and pulled it over my pads. The C caught beneath my palm for half a second before I dropped my hand.
When I looked up, Cade, Briggs, Rider, and Ryan were watching me.
Not with pity.
That was the only reason I didn’t tell them to go fuck themselves.
Briggs lifted his chin toward the door. “Go be scary.”
Rider smirked. “Try not to look like you’re planning a murder.”
Ryan pushed away from the lockers. “Or do. Brand consistency lately.”
Cade stepped closer as the others started out. He dropped his voice so only I could hear him.
“You know Bliss is pushing for her to be at the first game.”
Of course I knew.
Bliss would drag Aura to The Furnace if she had to put her in a headlock and carry her through the student entrance. Charm would show up polished and perfect beside them, pretending she wasn’t watching Ryan from the corner of her eye.
Aura would sit in the stands with her braids falling down her back, her mouth sharp and her eyes sharper, acting like she was only there for Cade’s first game back.
Acting like I hadn’t once offered her every piece of me I had left.
I looked at Cade. “Then she can watch.”
His expression tightened slightly. “Easton.”
I stepped around him and headed for the door because that was the thing about Aura Clarke.
