The Omission Behind Ones Devotion

Chapter 20

Hayden's POV:

Walking into the sports bar a thick smell of beer and hamburgers mixed in with the loud rumbling of men screaming at the packers game consume my senses. Though through all of the uncontrollable chaos, I could still hear his deep voice, causing me to halt to a stop.

"Is everything okay with you?" Chris turns grazing my arm with his fingers, looking rather concerned.

No.

"Yeah everything's great-"

"Hey is that the football team over there?"

"Uh yeah they usually come after every ga-"

"Great lets go say hi." I swear if this boy doesn't stop cutting me off.

We walk up to the table, and as we approach he places his hand on the small of my back, an action that has almost become custom with him. As we get closer I take this moment to take a closer look at Brayden. His damp hair fell smooth on his forehead. He was wearing a tight black compression shirt outlining every ab and curvature his body had. His arms seemed to bulge out of his shirt and his hand rested against his face, his thumb cutting the edge of his sharp jawline.

As we continue to walk, Chris' hold becomes more prominent. One of the freshman nudges Brayden and in one smooth motion he adverts his eyes from the screen. As if it was in slow motion his eye met mine and then proceeded to rake my body slowly and purposely until landing on Chris arm, that was now fully wrapped around my waist, followed with a still composure as he turns back to the screen. An action that had seemed to stop time was over in a split second.

"Hey Hayden grab a chair, and uh hey Chris," Ryan said, giving no effort into the last part of his sentence.

"So how did you guys do," Chris asks trying to start up a conversation. What atmosphere was lighthearted was now stiff and heavy.

"We won, but it wasn't the same," I keep my head down but I can feel Brayden's burning gaze.

Brayden's POV:

Hayden's head was down and I took this time to study her. How freckles danced across her nose, the slight goosebumps arising on her skin, how her blonde hair fell freely, and her long lashes that were curled upward ever so slightly.

She was beautiful.

"So how did you guys do," the bitchass asked.

It took everything in me not to scoff at him. Everything bothered me about him, every vein, every artery, my blood boiled at even the sight of his name.

"We won, but it wasn't the same" I answered truthfully. It wasn't the same, band not just for me. The whole team had a different attitude today. There was no lighthearted, play making blonde on the sidelines to crack jokes and get strict on us. No one to mess around with and pour Gatorade on after a win.

A small smirk plays on the tail of her lips, I can practically see the thoughts spinning in her head.

An hour goes by and its only Hayden, Ryan, me, and the bitchass. Everyone was laughing at some story Ryan was telling but I was a little pre-occupied.

Hayden had my drink in her hand playing with the straw but I didn't mind. I wish Chris wasn't here, I really do.

As if god had answered my prayers his phone rings and he exited the table, and Hayden seems to relax.

Hayden locks eyes with mine and opens her mouth to speak but the asshole cuts in.

"Looks like my little sister is having a problem at her dance practice so I have to go pick her up..." He drags out the last part hinting to Ryan and I that Hayden's now in our hands.