Only With You (Knights #2)

49

LANDON

TJ: Holy fuck, Taylor! Double-double king

Jayden: Man was on a mission!

Malik: Can we talk about that smooth AF buzzer beater? Taylor said light work, no reaction.

Saint: I’m telling you all it’s The Julianna Effect.

“We’re all right here,” I speak up.

My teammates lift their heads from their phones to look up at me and grin like idiots, resuming their typing.

We’re in the lounge of the hotel we’re staying at in Portland, resting and hanging out until we all have to go to bed. That won’t be for another few hours, but there’s not much else we can do. We had our first game of the tournament earlier today and won. Afterwards, we met with fans, signing autographs and taking photos. Then, we had a team dinner and did a few other things, and now we’re here.

Coach Warren wouldn’t allow us to do anything else. We have another game tomorrow, and that’ll determine if we make it to the championship or not.

Most of the guys are playing pool, darts, and whatever other games the hotel has provided. Except for my idiotic roommates. They’ve gathered around me, texting in the group chat as if I’m not sitting right across from them. Except TJ, who’s not here, but in Canada.

Me: I’m just that good. I’m not sure why you’re all surprised.

I had a good game today, probably the best game I’ve had in my entire basketball career. I got a double-double because of the rebounds, steals, blocks, assists, and points I accumulated today. I also shot three back-to-back three pointers.

I wasn’t focused on how well I could do today, just making sure we win because if we make it to the championship, we might play Baylor if they win, and that means we’ll be playing against Ashton.

TJ: I mean you’re decent but you weren’t shooting back-to-back threes when I was there.

Saint: I’m telling you all it’s The MOTHERFUCKING Julianna Effect!!!!

Jayden: You know I see it.

Malik: I see it too.

“For fuck’s sake. There’s no effect,” I say out loud, but they ignore me.

I leave the chat, but Saint adds me back to it.

Me: Malik shut up.

Saint: Don’t get mad at Malik because Juls wore his number. She looked good in it.

Me: I’ll ask Daisy to wear my number next time around. She’ll look good in it.

Saint: Ordering a jersey with my number for Juls as we speak. Sure she’ll look better with my number on anyway.

I lift my gaze but he doesn’t look up from his phone, but an arrogant as fuck smile takes overs his face.

Instead of chucking the pillow, next to me, at his face. A better idea comes to mind. I swipe out of our group chat and message the one person who will wipe the smile off his face.

Me: You want a free jersey?

Daisy: I don’t watch basketball.

I only have her number because she once needed help with an assignment.

Me: You don’t need to watch basketball to wear it.

Daisy: Can you sign it? And can I sell it?

Daisy: And before you ask. I’m a struggling college student in debt so I don’t want to hear it.

I almost chuckle.

Me: Do what you want with it.

Daisy: Any size will do!

I screenshot her last message and send it to Saint. And I watch and relish the grin on his face instantaneously fall.

Me: I’ll have the other guys sign it and I’ll give it to you later.

I’ve seen jerseys with everyone’s signature sell for a crazy amount. So I’ve no doubt she’ll make a lot out of it.

I may be petty, but I can be nice.

TJ: I can’t believe I left and you and Julianna happened.

Me: We didn’t happen. Let it go. You’re all getting on my nerves.

TJ: No. I need more details and so does Lola. I’ve been keeping her updated.

Saint: Shit, tell Lola I’m sorry. I meant to text her back about it.

“What have you been telling Lola?” I glare at Saint but of course he ignores me.

Saint: Tell her they matched on Halloween.

Jayden: They looked fucking adorable dressed like angels. Then they left Liquid together and he spent the night at her place. And since then they’ve been super duper close.

Malik: Attachment: 1 Image

Malik: I wasn’t even aware they hated each other until I saw the money jar.

“You took a picture of the jar?” I snap my attention to him.

“No, Jagger did and he shared it with me.” He points at Jagger, who’s grinning from ear to ear at his phone.

I’m not sure who he’s texting, but he’s so immersed in whatever he’s doing, he hasn’t texted the group chat or looked up at us. He laughs and shakes his head, and when I see his fingers move, I know he’s typing.

He must sense our eyes on him because he looks up. “Sorry, what?”

“You texting the cheerleaders who gave you their number earlier?” Jayden asks, his smile devious.

Jag pauses, eyes flicking to the screen before he replies. “Sure…yeah, the cheerleaders from earlier…”

My brows knit and my eyes narrow, but when my phone buzzes in my hand, I drop my gaze to it, only to be disappointed it’s TJ and not Julianna.

It’s Wednesday and I’ve not seen nor spoken to her since Saturday. I’ve texted her once every day since the last time I saw her just to see what she’s doing, but I’ve gotten no reply. I understand her silence. She wants space, but I don’t want it.

God, I sound so needy, but I miss her.

She was acting differently on Saturday, but swore she was okay. Now I’m worried I hurt her Friday night, or said something to upset her.

TJ: There’s a jar? Holy shit

Me: I’ll murder you all.

Malik: This isn’t the first time he’s threatened us with murder. Maybe we should take him seriously?

Jagger: No.

Jayden: No.

Saint: No.

TJ: No.

Malik: Remember I was the one who decided to leave you alone when you decide to go on your spree.

Me: What a shame it’d be if someone’s video got leaked. We should all do things in private instead of recording them. Just saying…

I stumbled upon two sex videos and some pictures that I’m doing everything in my power to scrub free from my brain.

Everyone’s eyes snap up, staring at me indifferently, but I can see right through them.

“Fucking asshole,” someone mutters and no more messages come through.

My gaze coasts over the room. I try to distract myself from what I want to do, but my restless mind can’t stop thinking about her. I pathetically go to her messages and still see nothing.

I almost exit out of it until I decide to check her location. I know she’s in California. She left yesterday or at least it’s what she told me. I know this is some stalker shit, but whatever. She never stopped sharing it with me since I picked her up that night. And I’m glad she didn’t, because I always look at it to make sure she’s gotten home safe from work. I also text her, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

I repeatedly blink, tapping on the map and zooming in on the screen because I must be seeing things. Her location is still in North Carolina and she’s still at her apartment complex.

I exit out of messages and get on it again just in case my phone is glitching, but when I look again, it shows she’s still there.

I don’t think and call Polly.

“Hey.” Her perky voice filters through the phone.

“Hey, do you by chance know if Julianna went home?”

“She was still there when Gabby and I left, but I knew she wasn’t going to leave till the next day. But I’m sure she’s already left. Why?”

“It’s nothing. I think my phone is glitching.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I have her”—I roll my eyes when the guys look at me—“location and it shows that she’s still at the apartment.”

“Wait, why are you checking her location?” I hear the smile in her voice.

“I don’t want to hear it. I’m going to let you go, thanks?—”

“Wait, don’t hang up,” she quickly says and in the background, I hear her ask Gabby to check Julianna’s location and then it goes quiet for about a minute or two. “Your phone isn’t glitching. She’s still there. I just texted her and she said she stayed because she’s not feeling well and doesn’t want to take anything back home. Now I feel bad. She didn’t leave her room Sunday and…”

I zone out, thinking back to Saturday. I hate that I didn’t keep pushing because I knew something was off, but she insisted she was fine.

“Hey, thanks, but I gotta go.”

“Yeah, if you need anything, let me know.”

I hang up and look at Jagger. “Cover me?”

His brows arch high, staring at me, astonished, but he nods. “I will, but you know we play at two tomorrow.”

“I’ll be back in time.”

He stares at me for a beat, recognition setting in his eyes, and I hear the question that flashes across his face.

You really like her?

“I’ll be back in time,” I repeat and walk away, but I don’t make it far before Saint stops me.

“Not right?—”

“Are you crazy?”

I keep walking because the last person I need a lecture from is him. It’s probably irrational, but I’ve made up my mind and I don’t intend to change it.

“You’re not going to stop me.”

“I’m not going to stop you. I’m going to offer you a private jet because Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Do you not realize how packed the airport is right now?” he mocks a scoff. “And they say you’re smart.”

I stare in stupor, but before I can manage to get a word out, he continues.

“Don’t make this weird. I’ll have them get it ready for you.” He pauses. “How do you have her number?”

“I helped her with an assignment last year. She’s not going to wear it.” I show him the messages, it’s the least I can do since he’s helping me out.

“You petty bastard.”

“You started it. I just ended it.”

He rolls his eyes and smiles nonetheless. “Whatever. You should get going.”