Smith’s POV
Yes, of course I wanted to hurt her. That had been the plan from the beginning—make the fiery freshman fall for me, then drop her hard. Public humiliation to teach her a lesson after she snapped at me that first day with the motorcycle. Mark and the guys had hyped it up. Cassie had gone along with her jealousy fueling the fire. It should have been easy. Satisfying.
But now, alone in my room after practice, everything felt twisted. I picked up the jacket I’d given her earlier, the one she’d left folded on my bike like a quiet rejection. I hugged it tightly, burying my face in the fabric. Her scent lingered—soft, warm, with a hint of something fresh like the sea breeze. Every time I thought of her, this strange sadness crept in. I couldn’t name it. Regret? Wanting? Something th
