Page 44 of Ruthless Game

He shot the puck and it flew toward me. Just as it was about to hit the net, I grabbed it.

“If you’re too stupid to be able to admit it to yourself, why would I waste my time telling you?” he asked. “Although I think you might want to figure it out fast, sieve.”

I wanted Emma.

I wanted to break her, and I wanted to break myself for even thinking that. I was torn in two and making everyone miserable because of it.

Your actions have consequences, Lawson, she’d said. Deal with them.

I was a fucking mess.

“I’m a fucking mess,” I admitted out loud.

Asher nodded. “I know, man. I’m glad you’re realizing it. You know, therapy’s helped … some.”

“Yeah?” Fuck if I’d go to therapy, ever. “And has it helped you figure out what you want?”

“Fuck yeah,” Asher said.

“And what’s that?” I asked.

He grinned. “I want to fuck up the people who destroyed my family. I want revenge.”

15

Emma

No matter how angry I was at Lawson, no matter how much last night had stung, or waking up to him gone had stung worse, I was determined to get him in the pool today.

Although if he pissed me off too much, I might drown him.

As I jerked my bathing suit on, Maya piped up. “I’ve never seen anyone so mad at nylon, spandex, and polyester before. Go on, though! Make that swimsuit your bitch.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to release my pent-up frustration and anger—some of which was because of how bruised my heart felt. And some of which was because I’d been teased without an orgasm beyond what a human could or should endure and was pretty sure there was more of that in my future.

The deep breathing exercise didn’t help.

“Listen, Maya. I’m sorry about class the other day. It should’ve been about teaching, and it turned into⁠—”

“—A battle between you and your ex?” she nodded. “It’s okay. Honestly, seeing that you aren’t entirely perfect was kind of … relaxing. Made you less intimidating.”

I stared at her, shocked. “Intimidating?”

She gestured at me. “You’ve got everything together. You have a damn lesson plan for the semester! You’re smart and pretty, and one of the hottest guys on campus is obsessed with you. Of course you’re intimidating. So seeing you have human emotions and fuck up like a human? Was kind of nice.”

But I was still stuck on what she’d said about Lawson. “He’s not obsessed with me.”

“Are you kidding? Those other girls were flirting with him, but you were the only one he looked at. He didn’t take his eyes off you.”

“He pushed me in the water,” I pointed out.

Maya shook her head. “I don’t think that was intentional. When you fell in, he looked like his puppy had died. Like it was the worst thing in the world.”

Could she be right? Or did she need to have her head examined?

“Anyway, let’s go over your lesson plan for today,” she said. “Although god knows what Lawson will do next.” She laughed. “I can’t wait.”

When we got to the pool, they were already there, most of the class sitting, feet dangling in the pool, a few standing by the shallow end. All but Lawson, who sat on the bench, fingers steepled below his chin. There was a hard look on his face that softened slightly when he saw me.