The Girl’s Exit Was Louder Than Silence Chapter 07
“She’s already done more than enough for this team.”
“Is it because she took the spot Madison wanted?”
It was the same question I’d always wanted answered.
I’d always known Dylan was cold toward me around the team.
I just hadn’t realized it was so obvious that even other people thought he was deliberately targeting me.
Confusion flashed across Dylan’s face.
Madison tugged lightly at his sleeve.
“Dylan, I need to use the bathroom.”
Dylan seemed to snap out of it.
“Believe me or not, I’ve never deliberately targeted her.”
Then he immediately helped Madison away.
Watching their backs disappear down the hall, I smiled.
For the first time, I truly felt free.
A few minutes later, another apology from Dylan appeared on my phone.
He acted as though he’d gone completely blind when it came to my breakup message and started explaining himself.
“If Logan finds out about us, everyone will.”
“I’ll hand Madison over to a nurse and come back. Tell Logan to leave now.”
There it was again.
Slap me, then offer me something sweet.
Only this time, I didn’t make excuses for him.
I pretended I hadn’t seen the message and blocked his number.
By the time I finished the soup, Dylan still hadn’t come back.
My dad arrived instead, bringing several people with him.
When Logan saw my family had arrived, he got ready to leave.
Dad suddenly stopped him, pulled up Venmo, and transferred him three thousand dollars.
“You brought my daughter to the Health Center. This is for your trouble and her medical expenses.”
Logan stared at the amount, then looked at me in shock.
Maybe he’d always assumed I was just an ordinary student working my way through college.
I didn’t explain.
“If my dad gave it to you, just take it.”
“He can afford it.”
After Logan left, Dad let out a heavy sigh.
“You insisted on becoming some basketball team manager.”
“You neglected your studies, missed the grad-school application deadline, and now you’ve worked yourself sick.”
“Honestly, Ava.”
He glared at me in exasperation.
I forced a smile and wrapped my left arm around his.
“I know you only want what’s best for me, Dad.”
“So… does your offer to send me to London for grad school still stand?”
When the graduate application announcement had gone out, the team had been in the middle of regionals.
I’d been so overwhelmed with team responsibilities that I missed the email.
By the time I realized it, the deadline had already passed.
Dad knew I still wanted to go to grad school, so he’d offered to send me to London.
He and Mom had divorced after I graduated from high school.
Mom happened to live in London, so she could look after me there.
But I’d refused.
I’d insisted on applying on my own.
Because I knew that if I moved overseas, Dylan and I would inevitably fall apart.
Dad hadn’t asked why.
He’d only promised me one thing.
“Once you’re better, I’ll personally take you to the airport.”
By the time Dad brought me home after my IV was finished, Dylan still hadn’t shown up.
On the way back, my phone suddenly rang.
It was Dylan.
“Where did Logan take you now? Didn’t I tell you to wait for me?”
“You spend every damn day hanging around Logan, and now you’ve blocked my number too?”
“Do you like him or something?”
“Ava, get this straight.”
“I’m your boyfriend.”
“Not anymore.”
My voice was perfectly calm as I cut him off.
“If I remember correctly, I broke up with you last night.”