Bex

An entire week has passed since I left Boston. Seven long days without a word from Preston. He hates me. Preston blames me for everything. And he should. Because the fight was my fault.

My dad is pissed about Preston’s suspension. He won’t say it aloud, but he knows I’m to blame. If I could turn back time, I would. I would have stayed the hell home like I was supposed to.

I knock on Preston’s front door and Jamie opens it.

He forces a smile, but it’s obvious he’s not happy to see me. “Preston is sleeping.”

It’s a lie. I can read it on his lips, see it in his eyes. Every time I’ve come to see Preston, he’s sleeping. Right.

“Can you relay a message for me?”

Leaning against the door frame, Jamie shoves his hand through his shaggy brown hair. “Yeah. What do you want me to tell him?”

The last time I was here, I spoke to Drake. The time before that Tucker. I still haven’t received a return call or text from Preston. He hasn’t been to class in a week. From what I can tell, he hasn’t left this house at all.

“Tell Preston I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have involved him in all of this. This is my fault, and now he’s paying for it.”

“Wait… what?” Jamie’s eyebrows rise in confusion. “What are you talking about? Why is this your fault?”

Surprised, I say, “He didn’t tell you?”

He crosses his arms over his thick chest. “Tell me what?”

“Oh.” I bite my bottom lip. “I assumed he told you since you two are like brothers. What did he tell his parents about the fight?”

“That he reacted without thinking. Lehane and Preston have never gotten along. They’ve always gone after each other on the ice. But never like this. So, you’re saying you had something to do with the fight.”

“Yes,” I whisper. “I wish I could take it all back.”

“Bex, spit it out. What’s going on? Preston won’t talk to me, and now you’re being all cryptic.”

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be.”

I can’t share my past with Jamie. It was hard enough to let Preston in. Even though he’s close to Preston, I’m not comfortable telling Jamie about what brought us to this point.

“Let Preston know I came by, would you? Ask him to call me. If he’s feeling up to it.”

“Sure.” He clutches the door, about to close it when he says, “Your dad probably told you already, but Preston is suspended for the rest of the season, which means his college career is over. He’s upset right now. I don’t know what I would do if it were me, but I do know he’s not taking it well. He worked his ass off his entire life to get here, and now it might have been for nothing.”

I wipe a fallen tear from my cheek. “I can’t even imagine what he’s going through.”

“He’s a hot head. He just needs time. Okay?”

“Thanks, Jamie.”

He flashes a closed-mouth smile and then shuts the door, leaving me on the porch in tears.

I run away from the house, shielding my face with my arm. I don’t want anyone to see me like this. I’m a mess.

When I finally stop, on the next street over, I bend over to catch my breath. The tears keep coming, coating my face, refusing to stop. My heart aches for Preston. I wish I could take away his pain, transfer all of it to me.