Tangled Hearts

Chapter Seven: Setting It Straight

The next morning, JT made his way to the dining hall for breakfast, meeting up with his teammate Dean. With his tray in hand, JT filled his plate with French toast, eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, and a handful of fresh fruit.

Dean brought up last night's party as the two of them walked over to the drink station.

"Man, last night's party was way better than I expected," Dean said, getting a cup of orange juice.

"My first Hawks party and it didn't disappoint," JT replied, chuckling.

"Yeah, since someone was upstairs for half the night," Dean teased, raising an eyebrow.

JT just shrugged. "That was just a little fling, nothing crazy." The two found a table, and he dropped into his seat, ready to dive into his breakfast.

"Speaking of flings, your girl was losing it yesterday," Dean said, starting to eat his food.

JT's brows furrowed, trying to piece together who he meant. "Wait, who?"

Dean gave him a look. "Brianna. She came downstairs fuming and just went off on Ashley about you."

"Ashley?" JT was lost with the entire situation.

"Yeah, something about how just because you're, you know, 'hooking up' with her, it doesn't mean she'll be your girlfriend." Dean paused to take a sip of his juice. "Which, by the way, I didn't know you and Ashley fucked," he continued.

"For one, I haven't even had sex with Ashley," JT said, visibly annoyed. "And for two, you didn't think to tell me this earlier?"

Dean shrugged. "Honestly, it slipped my mind until right now."

JT's mind raced. Brianna's stunt made him realize she was more invested in him than he ever intended or wanted her to be. He owed Ashley an apology for being caught up in the mess, but Brianna needed to be put in check. He picked up his phone, debating who to message first. He decided to send Ashley a text:

JT: I just found out about last night. Are you busy? We can meet up if you're free.

She responded a few moments later.

Ashley: Yes, I'm free. Me and Alana were going to Chipotle later. I'll tell you when we leave.

With his plans set in place, he moved on to Brianna. He didn't hold back on a single word. He made sure that she knew he wasn't interested after this.

⸻

A couple of hours later, JT met up with Ashley and Alana at Chipotle. He walked up to their table, greeting them with a slight nod. He settled in across from them while they ate their food.

"I heard about what happened last night," JT began. "I'm really sorry, Ashley. I had no idea Brianna would act like that, especially towards you."

Ashley sighed, still visibly upset from the previous night's incident. "It was just... embarrassing. It was so random and now people probably think things that aren't true."

Alana jumped in. "Trust me, Ashley, everyone knows Brianna's extra. She's always been like that, even bragging about you two in the locker room," she said, pointing at JT.

"She bragged about us?" He was taken aback.

"Oh, yeah. She didn't hold back." Alana continued.

"Well, now I know she's a bit off. I texted her about the stuff she did last night," he explained to them.

"Let us see it." Alana held out her hand, and JT passed his phone over to let them read his last conversation with Brianna.

Ashley and Alana scanned the text messages, their expressions quickly shifting from surprise to laughter. "Wow, she's delusional," Ashley said, shaking her head.

The text thread read:

JT: Have you lost your mind? I don't like you nor do I want to be with you. It was a one time thing. Get over it.

Brianna: Then maybe you shouldn't stick your dick in anything you see.

JT: I haven't even had sex with Ashley.

Brianna: Wow, one girl you didn't sleep with. We all know who's the best anyway.

JT: Right, whatever keeps you up at night. Just leave me out of your nonsense, lunatic.

Brianna: When you decide to come home, you've got my number.

The girls handed his phone back, still chuckling. They all continued talking about other topics after that. After a bit, Alana left to catch up with another friend, leaving Ashley and JT with a little extra time alone.

⸻

After leaving Chipotle, JT and Ashley walked over to a nearby park.

"So," JT started, breaking the silence. "Are we good?"

Ashley looked up at him and smiled. "Duh idiot, of course, we're good. I know that wasn't your fault."

JT chuckled. "Thanks for not holding it against me."

They kept walking and as they got further along in the trail, their conversation drifted into random topics. From their favorite music to pointing out observations about people they passed. Neither of them was in a rush to go home, it was just an easy and comfortable conversation.