Chapter 1
AMBRIA
Everyone had noticed and been commenting on how something about me seemed different. That nervous, shy side of myself melted away, and there was a definite bounce in my step everywhere I walked. I was just so thrilled that Logan had asked me to be his girlfriend, and there was no way I could hide it. Everything just felt so right when we were together.
Our training program over the course of the week was brutal, but I was happy to spend the extra time with Logan, and with Astra and Toby. We worked hard, but we celebrated hard as well. Toby was a surprisingly good cook and cooked dinner for us each night, and I felt as though even Astra was finally starting to warm up to me.
Everything seemed to be going well, so much so that I didn’t even see it coming the day when Danica approached me in the locker room. “Hi,” she said from right behind me, causing me to jump.
I spun around angrily to find her snickering in my face. “What do you want, Danica? I thought Logan made it pretty clear to you last week that you were supposed to leave us alone.”
“Actually, he made it clear that I was supposed to leave him alone. He never really said anything about you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t be stoked to find out you’re harassing me,” I shot back. “So, what do you want?”
“Geez, didn’t realize that Logan was into chicks who are so rude,” she snapped. “I was just curious if whether or not Logan even bothered to tell you why we broke up in the first place. And I’ve bet you’ve hooked up already, haven’t you? You def look like a first date kind of girl.”
I took a deep breath, refraining from punching her out right there in the locker room. She was tall but lean, and I was sure my stockier, more muscular frame had at least twenty pounds on hers. “That’s really none of your business,” I informed her calmly through gritted teeth. “Besides, I never asked why you broke up. It doesn’t matter. He’s with me now and, judging by your personality, I can only imagine why you two didn’t work out.”
Danica cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes as she analyzed my words. “Really, is that what you think?” she replied flatly. “Well, he sure has you obediently wrapped around his finger, doesn’t he? Suit yourself… but you should really ask him one day about why we broke up. The answer might make you think twice about dating him.”
I exhaled deeply as the locker room door closed behind her, unaware of the fact that I had been holding my breath. “What a fucking bitch,” I muttered under my breath.
“What was that?” Astra asked as she burst through the door. “You in here talking to yourself like some kind of weirdo? Because if you are and Coach finds out, I’m pretty sure he’s going to send you to therapy.”
I shook my head and laughed. “Piss off,” I said jokingly. “No, I’m just angry mumbling to myself because of Danica. She’s always trying to stir up trouble.”
“I mean, yeah… but, like, how?”
“She just cornered me in here to ask if Logan and I hooked up yet, as if that’s any of her business, and to ask if I know why they actually broke up.”
“Ooo, gossip!” Astra beamed, her eyes lighting up. “Well, have you?”
“What? No. I mean… yes. Kind of? We’ve like… fooled around but not done it yet.”
“Aha, I friggin knew it!” she cried, pointing her finger inches away from my nose. “It was that one-day Toby and I were out, wasn’t it? Ew, are you guys fooling around on the couch that we all have to friggin sit on? Gross, dude,” she whined.
“Oh my god, Astra, never mind that!” I wailed. “Do you know why Logan and Danica broke up? I’m sure it, like… wasn’t his fault or anything… but now I’m just going to be stuck thinking about it repeatedly until I know the truth.”
“Dude, who do I look like? Logan? I don’t pay attention to other people’s business. I have my own stuff going on, and you shouldn’t either. But if you’re so worried about it, why don’t you just ask Logan what happened?”
I let out a small sigh. A part of me didn’t even want to know the truth, afraid of what the answer might be… but a bigger part of me knew I wouldn’t stop worrying about it until I found out. “No, you’re right. I’m going to ask him about it later tonight when we’re both home.”
“There you go, champ,” Astra said with a playful wink.
