Eavesdropping

Hannah

The ladies' room was empty as I used the facilities and washed my hands. I put some cold water on a paper towel and wiped my face, trying to stop myself from feeling this awkward funk.

I had imagined the night going differently, but it wasn’t about me. This dinner was for the whole team, and he was the coach. Naturally, he couldn’t spend the entire evening by my side.

I hated that I suddenly felt needy for his attention.

As I reached the end of the hallway by the bathroom, I heard tense voices and Jordan’s surprised me.

“Would you stop? Enough already!”

“Are you seriously that desperate that you’re following your hookup to the bathroom?” Mallory asked, venom in her tone.

“She’s not just a hookup, Mallory,” he sighed loudly.

“Right!” she laughed, and I hated the sarcastic tone of her voice. “You can stop now. The challenge is over.”

“I don’t know what your problem is with her, but I told you before I don’t like the attitude,” he growled at her. I knew they were having issues, but I hated that it was really because of me.

“And I don’t like that you do this every year! At least it didn’t work this time. You always pick the biggest charity case and give them special attention so you can win,” she slurred in a loud voice.

“That’s not what—” Jordan tried to interrupt.

“Last year, you didn’t try to date the fat girl,” she spat.

“You’re out of line, Mallory. You can’t talk about people like that,” he argued.

“I know how much you like to win, but you should just leave the poor girl alone. I think she actually likes you. It’s not going to end well when she realizes how short your attention span is.”

I knew she was just trying to hurt him, but that comment cut deep. Was I really just some fling to him?

“Mal, that’s enough.”

“Just cut her loose now. She might actually stay as a member if you don’t ghost her like you did with what’s-her-face from two years ago.” Her snarky comment was like a gut punch.

Had he done this before?

“That was a totally different situation, Mal, and you know it,” he hissed.

“Was it? Both of the past two female winners left the studio after you stopped paying attention to them,” she accused. “Just because you took it too far this time doesn’t mean it has to end the same way.”

“I actually li—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” she interrupted in a snarky voice. “We both know a month from now she’ll lose her novelty, and you’ll be on to the next shiny bimbo.”

“I don’t care what you’ve told Mom,” she continued. “I don’t want you stringing her along with family dinners and extra training sessions. I’m not gonna be a party to whatever little game you’re playing this time.”

My heart was pounding in my chest as I listened to her practically yell at him.

“I haven’t invited her to a family dinner yet,” he confessed quietly.

“Good. Don’t. Let her go while she still thinks you aren’t a colossal douche. We both know how this ends. You’re not gonna change, and it’s not fair to her.”

“Mind your own business, Mal.”

“You agreed that I was right. Just think about it. It doesn’t have to end as it has before.”

“It’s not like that,” he insisted, and I almost believed him that he might’ve actually had feelings for me.

“You keep telling yourself that,” she scoffed, and I heard their voices fade down the hallway, the rest of their conversation lost to the noise of the restaurant.

Tatum

you get lost? Javi is worried about you

I was glad I hadn’t left my purse at the table; it would make my exit easier. There was no way I could go back in there. Now I understood why Mallory gave me the looks she did.

I was apparently the latest in a line of charity cases.

Hannah

I’m going home.

Tatum

Jordan just asked where you are

Tatum

what do you want me to tell him?

Fuck.

Hannah

tell him Parker needed me for something

Tatum

does he?

Hannah

no…please just tell him to leave me alone

Tatum

what did he do?

I wasn’t even sure. Mallory did most of the talking, but overhearing the whole thing left me feeling unsettled.

Hannah

I just need some space

Tatum

I’ll distract him. Let me know if you need me.

Hannah

thanks

I quickly made my way out the door and across the parking lot, hesitating briefly as I started the car.

Maybe I heard their conversation out of context, but I knew they were talking about me. It might be better if I took Mal's advice and cut my losses now.

If I walk away now, what do I really have to lose?