[BOOK2]
*****
I want her.
I want her more than I've ever wanted anything.
But I can't have her. Because the moment I admit that out loud, the moment I risk everything we've built, I could lose her.
And losing Isla? That's not an option.
*******
Is...
{Song of the chapter: Happier than Ever - Billie Eilish}
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I pulled Jake's jersey over my head, the fabric feeling heavier than usual, like it didn't belong to me anymore. Staring at my reflection, I smoothed down my shorts, but the pit in my stomach wasn't going anywhere. This jersey, this role—none of it felt right tonight.
Becca glanced up from her phone, her brows furrowing as she took in my face. "You okay? You've been out of it all day."
I sat down next to her, sighing heavily. "No. I'm not."
She shifted, turning her full attention to me. "What's going on?"
I hesitated, the words getting stuck in my throat. I'd been holding this in for so long, trying to ignore the growing tension between Jake and Theo, and now... now it was like everything was unraveling all at once. "It's Jake. And Theo."
Becca's brow furrowed deeper. "What do you mean?"
I shook my head, my fingers twisting in the hem of Jake's jersey. "Theo told me something about Jake... something I can't stop thinking about."
Becca straightened. "What did he say?"
I swallowed, the memory of Theo's words hitting me like a punch to the gut all over again. "He said Jake's been complaining to the team about me. About my... boundaries. That I'm not giving him what he wants, and he's thinking about getting it somewhere else."
Becca's eyes widened, her expression darkening. "He said that?"
I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah. And when I asked Jake about it—about why he and Theo fought—he just brushed me off. He wouldn't explain anything. And then..." My throat tightened as the memory of that phone call came rushing back. "I called him later, and I swear, I heard a girl in the background."
Becca sat up straighter, her voice filled with concern. "What did he say when you asked him?"
"He said it was his cousin." I scoffed, the words feeling ridiculous in my mouth. "But he was weird about it—like he couldn't wait to get off the phone."
Becca frowned, her eyes narrowing. "That doesn't sit right with me, Isla. Do you believe him?"
"I don't know," I admitted, my voice shaking. "I want to, but after what Theo told me... everything just feels off."
Becca stared at me for a long moment, then sighed. "Isla, if Theo fought Jake, there's a reason. Theo wouldn't just get into it for no reason. He's protective of you."
My heart clenched at her words. "But why didn't Theo just tell me everything? He's always been honest with me. Why keep this from me?"
Becca rested her hand on my arm, her tone gentle but firm. "Maybe he's trying to protect you from something worse. Or maybe he thinks you need to figure it out on your own."
