Second Down (Moving the Chains Book 2) by Kata Čuić Page B

stand me?”
    Mike lifts his eyebrows like I’m being ridiculous. “He can’t stand what happened to you. There’s a big difference.”
    It doesn’t feel so big from where I’m sitting. “How would you know that if you haven’t talked to him about it?”
    A smug grin spreads across his face. “Because he knows I’d kick his ass if he ever hurt you.”
    The rest of the ride is silent. Working through the roller coaster of my emotions only sharpens my nausea. Luckily, there’s a pile of make-up work waiting for me at home to distract me.
    I peck out a group text to everyone who just blindsided me. Something Mike said keeps pecking at my broken brain. Test the waters.
     
    Eva: Don’t tell Rob that I know.
    I want it to be his decision.
     
    Just like no one knows what’s going on in my head; there’s no possible way for them to know what’s running through his. It’s time for me to regain a little control over my life.
     
     
     
     

Chapter 9
    Animal I Have Become
     
     
     
    Rob
    PTSD.
    How is that even possible?
    I’ve never been in a war zone.
    I didn’t get attacked and bitten. Scarred.
    The therapist is wrong.
    Her diagnosis is wrong.
    I don’t have PTSD.
    I’m just a useless asshole.
    A dumb jock.

Chapter 10
    Try
     
     
     
    Evie
    Working my way through the pile of missed assignments on my desk is daunting enough, but not being able to completely focus only frustrates me more. The staples at the back of my head itch, my temples pound a slow, steady beat, and my mind keeps wandering. How did Rob’s therapy appointment go today? Were Rob and I really together? Even if only for a day?
    How could I forget that?
    Swirling thoughts and emotions flood through my mind. What if all my memories are corrupted now? Like some kind of laptop that took a beating or caught a virus. All the things I almost remember that confused me so much... a touch, a taste, a smell. Feeling happy and secure. It all makes sense now.
    My hand wanders over my chest on autopilot. I suck in a harsh breath at the soreness that seems like it’ll never go away. The proof is here. Why can’t I remember it?
    My Lit homework sits uncompleted in front of me, so I grab my phone. Girlfriend or not, I have to know if he’s disgusted by me.
     
    Eva:  You there Superjock?
     
    A few minutes go by with no response, so I turn back to my work. By ten, my eyelids won’t stay open. I’m not really absorbing any more information, so it’s time to call it quits and climb into bed. Just another day in hell tomorrow after all.
    I’m all tucked in when my phone alerts me to a new text message.
     
    Superjock:  Sorry.
    Fell asleep.
    Here now.
    What’s up?
     
    I’m glad he was sleeping. God knows he needs it. Why is he awake now? Exhaustion creeps over my tense muscles, and I honestly can’t even remember what I was going to say to him. So I type in the first thought that comes to mind.
     
    Eva:  Shave that thing off your face.
    You’re not in the playoffs yet.
    It’s bad luck.
     
    Superjock:  LOL, ok.
    Anything for you, Evie.
     
                   Anything for me? That doesn’t sound like someone who broke up with me.
     
    Eva:  And get some sleep.
    Night.
     
    Superjock:  Yes, ma’am.
    Goodnight.
     
    Clutching the phone in my hand, sleep is already beginning to claim me when the damn thing dings again, startling me into alertness.
     
    Superjock:  Hey Evie?
     
    Eva:  Yes Rob?
     
    Superjock:  You wanna meet in the library tomorrow?
    After practice? We could try to catch up on work
    together like you asked.
     
    Shit. Alex veered off-topic and never told me his plans for Rob’s birthday tomorrow. I haven’t even thought about it, too consumed with everything he did tell me. All I remember is that Alex wants me there. He wants Rob’s girlfriend there. Is this offer Rob’s way of getting back what I forgot? Did one therapy session change his outlook so drastically? If I reject him now, I might never find