Shutout: Rules of the Game Book 2

SERAPHINA

We endure the most uncomfortable ride home I’ve ever experienced. In retrospect, taking separate Ubers would have been preferable. Finding my own apartment in the near future isn’t looking like a bad idea, either.

Tyler’s arm rests around my shoulders because, well, it’s a little late to keep up pretenses now. Chase won’t look at either one of us. Bailey talks to him soothingly, trying to calm him down. And Dallas and Siobhan compensate by making conversation with everyone, but it mostly ends up being the two of them talking to each other.

I exchange a few texts back and forth with Chloe, who saw the whole thing from afar and wanted to make sure I was okay. It’s too hard to explain via text, so I make plans with her to hang out tomorrow when the guys have practice.

As the Uber pulls away from the curb, Chase storms past everyone and unlocks the front door, letting it slam shut behind him without waiting for anyone else. My stomach balls into a fist. I don’t want to fight with him.

The rest of us filter inside, hanging up our coats and slipping off our shoes. Bailey takes Chase’s hand, saying something into his ear that I can’t hear. He shakes his head and murmurs something back. She presses her lips together, giving him a reproachful look. He heaves a sigh that’s more than a little resentful. Bailey elbows him. Hard.

“I’m going to let you two have some time alone,” Chase says, his voice flat. “But we’re all going to have a chat tomorrow.”

The doorbell rings, followed by a sharp, insistent banging on the door. We all exchange confused looks. It goes without saying that we left Overtime in a hurry. No one else from the team was invited back here.

Since I’m closest to the door, I answer it. Abby is on the other side—and she looks furious. I’m sure I know why.

“Your boyfriend beat up my brother? What was that lowlife thinking?” She places her fists on her hips, though the effect isn’t all that intimidating given her short stature. Not that I think we’re about to get into a physical fight but if we did, it wouldn’t be much of a match.

My temper flares. Not wanting to put on a spectacle, I turn back to face everyone else rather than respond. “We’re going to take this in my room.”

To my relief, Chase and Bailey go to his room while Dallas and Shiv go to his. That means no one will be in the living room where they could potentially overhear this conversation. Or argument, realistically.

Tyler hangs back and takes my hand, ducking his head to catch my eye. “Are you okay, Ser?”

“I’m fine,” I tell him, squeezing his hand. “I’ll come see you after.”

Abby follows me into my room, and I step around her, closing the door for added privacy. All I want is for this conversation to be over so I can go downstairs and see Tyler.

“Before you get all worked up, you should know that Rob kissed me, Abby. He was being really aggressive, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Still facing her, I unzip my skirt and set it aside. I take a pair of black joggers from my dresser and tug them on, waiting for her to reply. Her eyes slowly travel up and down my body, and her eyelids lower in what I can only describe as a “Mean Girl” look.

“Rob would never do that. You’re just saying that because you’re jealous he’s never wanted you.”

My Carter temper gets the best of me, and I feel my internal filter evaporate into thin air for the second time this evening. I know I shouldn’t say the words, yet they tumble out anyway.

“That’s why he convinced me to give him my virginity then, huh?”

Abby disappears from my line of sight as I put my arms through a purple tank top. Once it’s over my head, she’s scowling at me with her arms crossed.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Prom night ring a bell? You were too busy doing whatever it is you were doing with Joey Marcello to notice I was gone. Rob and I slept together that night, and we decided not to tell you. I convinced him to keep it a secret because I didn’t want to hurt you.”

The last words ring false as I say them. I always thought keeping it under wraps was my idea, but was it? Or did Rob manipulate me into thinking that? It wasn’t exactly a level playing field when you factor in our ages.

“You’re lying.” She huffs, glowering at me.

“Why would I lie about that? Rob has been hitting on me ever since I turned sixteen. He’s still doing it now that I’ve moved back even though he has a freaking girlfriend, Abbs! I know he’s your brother, but that’s a shitty thing to do no matter how you slice it.”

Abby blinks rapidly but she doesn’t say anything. What can she say? Cheating is indefensible, even when it’s your sibling.

Emboldened by what I got off my chest, I continue. “On top of all that, you’ve been a terrible friend to me lately. You never ask about my mom or how I’m doing, and you never want to hang out with me unless it’s to get drunk and go pick up guys. I’ve been there for you for years, Abby. I was there through your eating disorder. When your parents divorced. When you had that douchebag boyfriend Kent who kept breaking your heart. I’ve been there for every single thing, holding your hand, listening to you, and supporting you. Where the hell have you been now that I actually need you for a change?” Rage mingles with sadness, and I’m inundated by the most frustrating urge to cry. I might later, but I certainly won’t let her see it now. Tamping down on my emotions, I ball my fists until my nails dig into my palms.

“This isn’t how a friendship is supposed to work,” I add. “This isn’t even a friendship.”

That’s not including the things she doesn’t know, like the BRCA test. No wonder I haven’t told her. She clearly wouldn’t care.

“Oh, so you’re perfect now, and I’m the bad guy?” Abby’s voice climbs until I’m sure everyone in the house can hear.

This feels like a lover’s quarrel, and it’s arguably even more frustrating than one.

I sink onto my bed and grab a pillow, squeezing it to channel my anger. “I know I’m not perfect, but at least I care about my friends.”

“Do you think you’re somehow better than me because of this little hookup situation you have going on? That’s never going to last, Sera. There’s a reason Tyler doesn’t want to be your boyfriend.”

It lands like a slap.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about right now.” The waver in my voice betrays my hurt feelings.

Abby rolls her eyes. “Keep telling yourself that. Don’t come crying to me when it fails.” She turns away and flounces out of my room, slamming the door behind her.

“Good!” I call.” Glad we’re on the same page!”

Trying to get the last word feels immature, and I immediately regret having bothered.

The front door bangs, followed by silence. My anger fades, leaving me alone with Abby’s words. And the longer I sit, the more I start to wonder if what she said about Tyler was right.