Hard to Love You

Hailey stands up from the chair and it causes me to fall back on my ass. “Ok Mason, you want to play stupid? That’s fine.” She starts pacing back and forth in the only area not covered with my shit. “At the store, when I turned down one of the aisles, Lily was standing there shopping for a pregnancy test.” She stops walking and looks over at me. I’m not shocked; actually I’m a little surprised that this hasn’t happened to her sooner. “A pregnancy test, Mason. She thinks she’s having your baby.” Hailey starts pacing again.

What. The. Fuck?

Now I’m stunned, shocked, “What do you mean mine? I haven’t touched that whore in years, Hailey. There is no way in hell it’s my kid.” My heart is pounding a mile a minute. “You actually believed her?”

Hailey snaps her head in my direction. “What the f**k do you think? She said she’s been staying with you while you’re on the road. You get her a room at whatever hotel you’re staying so you can spend time with her after the games.” Hailey huffs. “I can’t believe I was that blind and didn’t see it. Does Cooper know, Mason?”

Anger is setting in deep in my bones. She can’t be serious. “You really believe her; you aren’t even going to listen to me are you?”

Hailey nods. “What do you expect, Mason? You haven’t told me shit about what happened at the bar.”

I pick up the remote control that is sitting by my side and throw it as hard as I can. I’m boiling in my own skin with rage. The remote crashes somewhere in the kitchen, just over Hailey’s head; I glare over at the angry woman in front of me and her eyes are wide. “You. You actually believe those tramps over me?”

Hailey looks scared now. “I’m not always there, Mason. You will not tell me what you’re hiding. What the hell am I supposed to believe?” Hailey starts to cry. “I wasn’t enough for you was I, Mason?”

I have to get the hell out of this house. I’m going to do or say something that I don’t want to. I can’t even see straight right now. I stand up and walk over to Hailey and get up in her face. “I didn’t f**k her and I have never given you a reason not to trust me. Ever. I love you Hailey but if you believe this shit then you are f**king stupid and you’re as bad as them.”

I clench my fist and walk past her to my room. When I open the door my vision goes blurry. She’s trashed my room and destroyed my shit. I punch my bedroom door with my fist, turn and leave this f**ked up situation behind.

If she wants to accuse me of cheating I might as well do it.

An hour later I’m sitting at the bar, the bartender is keeping a steady flow of beers coming. A few local fans bought me a few shots and I gladly accepted. On my way over I call up a few of the guys from the team and ask if they want to hang out. I never did bother to text Cooper and I don’t plan on it either. I’m sure Hailey is crying on Jaylinn’s shoulder by now. I can’t believe she wouldn’t even listen to what I had to say about any of it. I thought our relationship was strong but I was so very wrong. This destroyed me.

Pat walks in first. He slaps me on the back as he takes a seat next to me. Then Carlos, Chase and Shane follow behind him.

“Damn, Mase, Coach is going to be pissed.” Chase says as he takes a seat next to me.

“Don’t give a shit.” He’ll have to deal with it just like I will.

Shane reaches over and pushes on my knuckles. “Fuck!” I grit out.

Shane shakes his head. Carlos smacks me in the back of the head. “That hand’s probably broken, ass**le. You need to go get that shit checked out.”

Pat shakes his head and whistles, “I don’t want to be in the locker room when you walk in tomorrow.”

They’re making a big deal out of nothing, my hand is fine, it’s just a little sore. I order another round of beers for all the guys. A band is setting up on the stage, and of course it’s Cole’s band. This damn day just keeps getting better and better.

The guys and I are all sitting around, bullshitting about the game on Wednesday, when a shot is placed in front of me. I glance up to the bartender and he nods towards the end of the bar. Cole is standing there, he holds up his shot. I hold mine up and then take it. I should have sent it back but I’m already feeling a little drunk and the more alcohol at this point the better. Cole motions with his head to follow him.

I hop off the stool and follow Cole down a hallway that I’ve never been down before. “How are things with Hailey?”

I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Not so good?” Cole questions.

I laugh, “Not even close but I’m sure you’re happy about that, huh?”

Cole has a serious look on his face, “No man I’m not. Look, I don’t know what happened between you guys but I know you both love each other. I told Hailey this and I told her to just let you explain, but from the way you’re acting and seeing you here I guess you haven’t talked to her.”

I take my hat off and run my fingers through my hair. “Hailey and I are done. She’s all yours.” I turn and leave before he can even respond. I don’t even want to think about Hailey at this point.

When I go and sit back down with the guys they tell me I’m four shots behind. They call the bartender over and he places the four shots in front of me. I take all four and chase them down with my beer. The band starts playing and the bar is packed. I’m feeling really good right now, everything is numb and I couldn’t give two shits about anything. If Hailey doesn’t want me there are plenty of other girls who do.

Two girls come over on cue and claim Carlos and Chase. A few minutes later another fine looking blonde comes over and asks me to dance. I’m so drunk I barely make it off my chair, Pat gives me a hand. The blonde leads me out onto the dance floor and she wraps her skinny arms around my neck. I place my hands on her h*ps and we start dancing and grinding on each other. I know I’m being sloppy because everything keeps moving and I stumble a few times.

After a few songs I say to the girl I’m dancing with, “Let’s go grab a drink.”

I sling my arm around her shoulder and we leave the dance floor. I take my seat next to Pat and pull her on my lap.

She orders us two beers, “Thanks sunshine.” I don’t know her name and I don’t really care. I doubt I’ll remember it anyway. Plus her hair reminds me of the sun.

“You’re welcome, hot stuff.”