Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(38)

“McCarthy, that’s enough!” Evan shouted. My anger slowly dissipated as McCarthy’s words sank in; he had a point. With my head not in the game, the team would be affected.

Coach Joel caught up to us, his calm gaze moving between us. Hitting McCarthy had been a mistake, but it’d felt good to do it. Now I had to face the consequences.

“What’s going on, boys?” Joel asked.

Sighing, I closed my eyes for a second and then faced him, but it was McCarthy who answered. “It was just a misunderstanding, Coach. Everything’s fine now.”

Joel snorted. “Your face doesn’t look fine.” Then he looked at me. “Looks like you need to cool off. Go to the locker room, now.”

“Yes, Coach.”

Once inside, I sat in front of my locker, holding my head in my hands. What the f*ck was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I get it together?

“Derek?” Kate’s voice echoed from the doorway. “You in here?”

“I’m here,” I answered.

I could hear her footsteps and looked up to find her staring at me. “Care to talk about what happened out there?”

Huffing, I sat back and banged my head against the lockers. “Did Joel ask you to counsel me?”

Kate pursed her lips. “No, I came here of my own free will.” She sat down beside me, her expression soft and full of concern. “I saw what happened on the field. Care to talk about it?”

“I f*cked up, Kate. Not just on the field but with everything else in my life.”

“Are you referring to Hayden?”

I nodded. “I lied to her and did something I shouldn’t have. Now there’s no way in hell she’ll ever talk to me again.”

“Have you even tried?”

Clenching my teeth, I avoided her stare. “No.”

“Then how do you know? Hayden seems like a smart, reasonable woman. I’m sure she’ll talk to you if you put forth the effort.”

I shook my head. “You don’t know what I did.”

“Why don’t you tell me?” When I met her gaze, I knew she could see right through me. Eyes wide, she looked as if she could kill me herself. “Holy shit, are you serious? Please tell me you didn’t have sex with her and then leave.”

I held up my hands in defeat. “I didn’t know what else to do. Being with her scares the ever-loving f*ck out of me. I feel things I’ve never felt before.”

“Even with Brianna?” she asked.

The guilt came roaring back. “Things are different with Hayden. I miss Brianna more than anything, but what I feel for Hayden surpasses everything I had for her. I feel guilty.”

“Derek, no,” she murmured softly. Taking my hand, she held it gently in hers. “You can’t not feel things because of your love for Brianna. We all know you still love her, but she’s not here anymore. She’d want you to find happiness again. If you feel so strongly for Hayden, that’s a good sign. It means you’re finally moving on. There is nothing to feel guilty for.”

I squeezed her hand. “So you don’t think badly of me for falling for another woman?”

She giggled and kissed my cheek. “Of course not. But I will be pissed at you if you don’t try to work things out with Hayden. She’s a good match for you.” Getting to her feet, she pulled on my hand and I stood. “After practice, you better go to her. Promise me you will.”

“I promise,” I answered with a chuckle.

“Good, because if you don’t, I’ll kick your ass.”

“And if I do, Hayden will do it for you. Either way, I’m getting what I deserve.” I just had to hope Hayden would listen to me.

—

After practice, I showered and made my way to Stonebrooke Veterinary Hospital, hoping Hayden was still there. I was afraid if I called her, she’d avoid me. Luckily, her car was there, so I waited. When the door opened, I watched as Amanda left with the blond girl who’d tried to flirt with me the last time I was there. A few minutes later, Hayden walked out, but she wasn’t alone.

“What the f*ck is going on here?” I grumbled to myself.

It wasn’t Michael but another guy who was around my age. His gaze was fixed on Hayden, and I didn’t like it; he wanted her. I could see it in the way he stood protectively at her side and in the way he smiled at her. All I wanted was to see her face, but her back was to me. I started to get out of my truck but stopped when he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. An overwhelming sense of rage consumed me, and I gripped the wheel as tightly as I could.

I didn’t have a right to her, but dammit to hell, I wanted to be the one with her, kissing her. By the time I looked back over at them, they were gone. I’d missed my chance. The thought of her with another man was enough to drive me in-f*cking-sane. Putting my truck in gear, I sped down the road, not knowing what the hell I was going to do. I was half-tempted to show up at her house and demand that she talk to me, but that wasn’t going to work with her, not while I was angry.

Nothing was going to help until I got her back. The Carolina Tavern was up ahead, so I pulled in to catch my breath. As if on cue, Michael walked out the back door, carrying a bag of takeout. Opening the truck door, I rushed out to catch him.

“Michael!” I shouted. He turned and caught my gaze only to stare daggers at me and continue walking. “Michael, wait!”