Rival Dreams (Rival Love #3)

by Natalie Decker

  Lidia snaps, “Pretty sure that’s a major bombshell! They just broke up. They’ve been together for two years. You don’t drag a heartbroken person to a party for the person who broke their heart, you moron!”

  “Enough! Both of you! Just stop. Please.” I rub my temples and try to process the information. Caleb’s leaving? I study my sister. “He’s leaving? How do you know this?”

  Lidia takes my hand and squeezes it. “When you were taking your test yesterday, I ran into some guy named Matt. His opening line was, ‘Hey, you’re the sister of my buddy Caleb’s ex-girlfriend.’ So I told him exactly what I thought about him and his buddy Caleb. That’s when he told me that you should be happy because Caleb won’t be here next year.”

  “Why? Where is he going?” I drop my gaze to the floor as my stomach rolls.

  “The draft.”

  Brie squeals again. “Isn’t it exciting? You get to tell people you had him back when he was nobody when you see him on TV.”

  I want to lay into Brie. Lidia beats me to it. “You need to drink a tall glass of shut-the-fuck-up and leave.”

  Brie shoots me what I think is a “Are you going to help me out?” look, but I ignore it. “Fine,” she says and shoots a dagger stare at Lidia.

  She picks up her bag and walks out of the room. Lidia and I remain silent for a little bit, then she sighs. “I hate to drop this on you, but I’ve got to head back to school. Are you going to be okay?”

  I hug her. “I’ll go to the Bahamas with you on break. Let me drive you to the airport. When is your flight?”

  “Five hours. We still have some time. Let’s grab some food.” Lidia says.

  I agree.

  ***

  “Why wouldn’t he just tell me?” I ask.

  Lidia peers over the fat, juicy cheeseburger I dared her eat. It’s a long story, but in a nutshell, her mom, my step-monster, is a diet freak. It’s quite awful. Lidia was brainwashed from infancy that any kind of food with substance will kill you. Therefore, this poor soul has never, ever had a damn cheeseburger. I had to correct that, stat. Everyone needs a burger now and then. Unless, of course, you’re a vegetarian like Kayla.

  “I don’t know. Ask one of his friends.” She takes one hand off the massive burger and snaps her fingers. “Um … what’s his name … fizznuts … um … Lance.”

  Was this his plan all along? Did he ever really want to move in with me? He couldn’t have. What a liar. I feel like an even bigger idiot for believing him. Well, goodbye Caleb Alexander Morgan, I hope to think of you never again.

  “Kayla probably knows,” Lidia says, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “Huh?”

  “She probably knows. You know, because she and Lance are talking again, right? Lidia observes her burger and asks, “How do you eat this?”

  “Bite into it. Savor it. I swear, you haven’t lived until you eat one. Your mom would literally shit her pants if she saw you right now.”

  As Liddy inches the burger to her mouth, I stifle a giggle. She bites into it and chews. Her eyes widen and then she’s taking more bites. “Ooommmgooodd.” She moans and swallows. “This is amazing!”

  “I told you.” I smile.

  “That’s the first time you’ve done that since I’ve been down here. See, I told you it will get better.”

  I nod. “Thanks, Liddy.”

  She drops the rest of her burger on her plate and hugs me. “I love you, sis.”

  “Love you too.”

  It’s not long before I’m hugging her again at the airport and telling her to call me. She nods, waves, and disappears through the door.

  Her words linger, though. I dial Kayla while heading back to campus. She answers after the third ring, completely out of breath. “Sky …”

  “Hey, Kayla, were you running?”

  “Tell her I said hi and she still needs to tutor my stupid ass!” I hear Lance yell in the background. I blush. But not because of what Lance said.

  “Ew, Kayla, you were not just having sex, were you?”

  “Maybe?” I hear a loud crack like a hand coming down on someone’s ass. I cringe. Dear Lord, please no more. I beg you.

  “Um … okay. So, uh … the reason I’m calling is because I heard that Caleb was going into the draft. And I guess my question is, how long have you known?”

  There’s a long pause and I hear some shuffling. Then a deep sigh. “Sky, are you sitting?”

  “I’m driving, so yeah.”

  “I’m not going to tell you this while you’re driving. So how about you meet me around eight for dinner or something?”

  Why do I have a feeling the answer is going to be worse than I imagined? “How long?” I ask right as I take 279 B exit.

  She groans. “Alright, since you’re clearly getting worked up, while driving, I might add, I’ll tell you.”

  I wait.

  “Kayla, tell me.”

  “I’ve known since a few days before you broke up. I wanted to tell you but it didn’t seem like he was going to end it with you. And then … I just, well, I thought he told you. When he didn’t, I didn’t know how to. I’m sorry.”

  I take a deep breath. “I get it. I do. But you just … you let me suffer? Do you know how many times I went over this crap in my head? Thinking I did something, said something, or just, I don’t know, became something he no longer loves? And you didn’t bother saying anything to me?”

  “I know. I said I’m sorry. If it gives you a little peace of mind, he’s got the tryout on Monday. I think. It’s Monday, isn’t it, honey?”

  Lance mumbles something and Kayla says, “Yup, it’s Monday. He’ll be at Indy. Then he’ll be here for a week tying up some loose ends, packing his things, and then he’ll go home until draft day.”

  “Wait, does anyone else know about this? Like, family-wise?”

  Kayla pauses and then sighs. “I think his uncle knows.”

  I white-knuckle the steering wheel. How could he not tell me? How could he just … I feel like Lance for a moment. Only in Lance’s situation, Kayla was coming back. It was only one summer. But this. This is a lifetime, and Caleb didn’t have the decency to even tell me? And why would he say “I want forever with you” if he didn’t mean it?

  Turning onto Swift Street, my mood is seething, and my heart breaks a little more. Because in the end that means he didn’t even trust me. “He could have told me, though. He never even gave me a chance. He didn’t even give me a choice, he just made it for both of us and ended it. So, what’s that say?”

  “That he loves you. He wants you to follow your dream.”

  “No, it says he didn’t trust me.”

  Kayla and I hang up. A couple more minutes pass and I pull into the campus lot near my dorm. Once my car is parked, I grab my backpack and head to my last class of the day since I’d missed the other two I had today.

  The rest of the day all I can think about is Caleb leaving. A part of me wants to wish him luck and be happy for him. The other part is still so pissed and crushed by his words. All and all, I’m a confused mess.

  Chapter 16

  Caleb

  You know when you see a car that you never seen before and think, “That’s so cool!” and then after that moment you start seeing them everywhere? This is exactly how I’ve been feeling. I see Skylar every fucking place on campus. I can point her out ten, sometimes twenty-five yards away in a sea of people. And every time I have to tell myself this is all for her. Even though it kills me. Knowing I can’t touch her, kiss her, inhale that marmalade scent of hers in my car, my pillows, ever again.

  On my way back to the practice yard, I lower my ball cap and bow my head like a criminal. I’ve got to stay focused. Stay sharp, keep my mind right, all of that, but my thoughts keep diverting back to Skylar. She’s probably the only person in the world who could ease my nerves.

  This week is going by so fast and come Monday I’ll be in a different state, with nothing but competition surrounding me. I’m nervous. This is
way different from playing in high school and seeing the future people you might have to face in college. It’s different because these guys are all trying to impress a team. Beat you out of your spot. When you’re in high school only four guys try out for your spot, nothing major. Four is a cakewalk. In college it’s the same way. You’re the one who has to be the best out of three, maybe four guys. A starting spot is what you strive for first. Then you strive for more. But now there are thirty guys or so who could be going out for a starting quarterback position. That, my friends, is a much bigger pond to be swimming in.

  I glance up at the practice field just a few feet away. Before I dart my gaze at the sidewalk again, I see her. Sky is walking next to some tall guy and elbows him in the ribs. He laughs and so does she. I stop right in the middle of the walkway and stare at them like a moron. Someone jostles my arm. I look over and see the five-star clinger. Someone shoot me.

  “Hey, you. I heard about you and your girlfriend. I’m sorry. Well, not really.”

  I nod. “Okay …”

  “So, stud. Are you ever going to call me? Or do we have to keep meeting like this?”

  I give her a pointed look. “Um, no.”

  She pouts. “You know, I know you can’t see it but I could make you really happy.”

  “I’m not looking for happiness. If I were I’d still be with her.” I motion to Skylar who is coming toward us with the lanky guy I spotted her with at the gym the other morning.

  Clinger looks and scowls. “Well, how about pleasure? I bet I can please you very well. And before you say anything about commitments and relationships, we don’t have to have that talk.”

  I stiffen. She’s exactly like Danielle. Only Danielle waited until I was almost passed out at a party to get me to do things with her. And then afterwards she wouldn’t stop obsessing over me. She practically ruined my chance at college and my future in the pros. Thinking about my past makes me cringe.

  I’m about to tell the redhead what I think when my gaze locks with Sky’s. It’s like the whole world melts away and all I see is her. The smatter of freckles across her nose, the twinkle in her eyes, all of it is before me. I want to reach out and grab it.

  Fingers snap in my face and then a screech of my name snaps my gaze back to the clinger.

  “Caleb?” Sky says gently.

  I look over at her and nod, then back to the redhead who is now shooting daggers from her eyes at Sky.

  “We’re in the middle of a conversation,” Redhead snaps.

  Skylar nods. “I see. I’m sorry. I’ll be quick.” She looks up at me and my heart aches. It’s all for her dreams. “When you get a chance, can we talk later?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay.” She looks over at Clinger. “Sorry for interrupting. Have a good day.”

  As I watch Skylar walk away I hear, “I can’t believe you dated her.”

  “Why?”

  “Because gorgeous guys like you don’t date boring girls like her. That’s why. Look at her. Really look, Caleb. Her clothes are boring. Typical jeans and hoodie combo. I bet you spent a lot of nights in like some old married couple with takeout and some rental.”

  I study Clinger for a second and shake my head. “Maybe I like boring. I’d take it over wild and reckless any time.”

  Her mouth gapes and I walk away smiling for the first time in a couple of days.

  ***

  It’s five and a knock comes. The knock I’ve been waiting all flipping day to hear. Kyle checked her in but he didn’t walk her to the room, that freaking moron. Whatever. I’ll talk to him later about it.

  I straighten up the bed and then open the door.

  Sky doesn’t smile when she sees me. Her eyes still look sad. She has a rather large box in her hands and she gives it to me. “Come in,” I say.

  “I’m not going to stay long.”

  “You can stay as long as you like,” I say without thinking.

  She stares at me like I have lost my ever-loving mind. I probably have. I usually do when I’m around her. Looking down at the box, I ask, “What’s this?”

  “Everything you ever gave me. Notes, pictures, gifts. I just … I can’t have them in my room, reminding me. I can’t burn them or throw them away either. So I decided you could figure out what to do with them.”

  I frown. I set the box down on my desk with a lot more force than I wanted to. “This is a little childish, don’t you think?”

  “Caleb, I don’t care what you think. I’m trying. But my room was filled with reminders. I couldn’t breathe. If you ever had one ounce of love for me, you’ll just take it away, okay? I can’t keep crying over you night after night.” She sighs. “You know what, I’m sorry. This was a mistake. I’ll just go stick it in my trunk or something.”

  “Don’t.” I place my hand on the box. “I’ll take care of it. Thanks.”

  “Why do you have to say it so sarcastically? I didn’t ask for you to break my heart. But you did. I know that’s the risk you take entering a relationship. I get it. But with exams coming up, I can’t afford to lose anymore sleep over this. I can’t dwell on the fact that every relationship that makes it to the two-year mark crashes and burns on me. Apparently I do suck at something: reading people.” She laughs while tears stream down her face. “And … you’re leaving.”

  My body turns rigid. “Who told you that?” Most of the guys on my team knew but I don’t think they said anything. Strangers haven’t been asking me about me not playing here next year. Not like they have about Sky and me breaking up.

  “Brie got invited to your little going away party,” her voice rises a bit. “You should have told me.”

  “I couldn’t,” I yell at her.

  She folds her arms. “Why? Did you think I’d demand a ring, and I don’t know, drop everything to be your stupid future trophy wife or something? Or better yet, did you think I would pressure you into staying here with me?”

  “I don’t fucking know! You have your dreams and I have mine. I just woke from the daydream we’ve been both swimming in before it was too late, Sky! For that, I’m sorry.”

  She smirks. “No you aren’t. But good luck.” She turns for the door and I grab her wrist and pull her to my chest.

  “Let me go,” she whispers.

  “Skylar, no matter what happens, I love you. I really do. And I truly am sorry for hurting you.”

  She pushes me away and shakes her head. “Don’t say that to me. It doesn’t make the pain easier, Caleb. It makes it worse. Stop telling me you love me. Stop saying you’re sorry.”

  “But I am.”

  She grabs the door and this time I let her leave.

  Chapter 17

  Skylar

  Inside the library, I stare at the pages before me. I have probably read the same shit about thirty times and still have no clue what the hell I am reading. I double-check the spine of the book and shake my head. Right, I’m supposed to be studying for my anatomy exam.

  I glance over at the clock on the far wall. I start to gather up my things when I see Caleb waltz into the building. The redhead I saw him with yesterday is giggling and clinging to his arm. I hate her. I know it’s super petty, because I don’t know her. But last week, he was mine. Last week, I saw and planned a whole future and Caleb was in it every step. Now, my future is still there, it’s just a whole lot emptier.

  Maybe it’s better he is leaving. I won’t have to see shit like this and feel so much pain, and anger, and want, for someone I clearly can’t have anymore. I shove my last book into my backpack and turn away from my table and run straight into a brick wall.

  Okay, not a brick wall because it’s chuckling. I look up and a pair of deep blue eyes bore into me. “Hey, Sky. Come here a lot?”

  “Hey, uh …” Okay, this is really bad. I know him from Caleb’s team but I don’t remember his name. Like, at all. And it’s not because he’s not kind of hot. I really just don’t have a clue.

  “Matt.”

  I nod and l
et out a fake laugh. “Right. I’m sorry.” I can feel my cheeks burning.

  He winks at me. “Studying too much, it does that. You know, forgetting interesting available guys and all.”

  Um. What? If he asks me out, I might scream. Not that he’s someone I wouldn’t go out with, but I just got out of a serious, two-year relationship. I’m not ready to hang out with anyone who’s male, let alone date, and definitely not someone Caleb is friends with. He’s probably one of the assholes who told Caleb to break up with me.

  “Um … yeah. So, I’m running late for something. It was nice seeing you,” I say.

  He follows me. “Hey, wait up. I wanted to ask you something.”

  “Can you walk and talk?” I ask, heading down the stairs.

  He laughs. “Yeah. Running back, and all.”

  “Right.” I try not to roll my eyes. I’m almost to the doors when I hear Caleb groan.

  I glance over and see he’s looking dead at me now. Matt is beside me and pulling me toward the door. “I thought you were late for something.”

  I shake my head and look up at Matt. “What?”

  “Late for something. Hence why we’re walking in a hurry out the door.”

  “Oh. Right.”

  “What the fuck is going on here?” Caleb bellows. Why is he here?

  Matt laughs. “Chill, man. We’re just talking. And your company is looking a little pissy right now. You might wanna take care of that.”

  I watch Caleb look back at the girl then over at us. “She followed me in here. It’s not really my problem. So what are you two talking about?”

  “I was leaving.”

  Caleb glares at Matt. “Are you leaving together?”

  I’m pissed at his question. I didn’t ask him about his little redheaded friend over there, who’s looking really mad. So much so she’s actually marching over to us. And he seems to keep forgetting he broke up with me. But just like yesterday when I dropped off all the reminders of him at his own place, he’s got that look in his eyes. Like he can’t believe I would do something like this. As if I took a knife and gutted him, when he’s the one who did that to me. So where does he get off looking hurt?