She saw his eyes widen for a second then go back to normal. He rubbed her back gently. “Does it really matter, Sarah?”

Her heart jumped to her throat. She wanted to scream. What had she expected? Why had she let herself fall for him? This was just one girl. How many other girls was she gonna have to deal with?

“So, she was never your girlfriend, you just slept with her? Is that what you’re planning on doing with me?

His eyes narrowed and his expression hardened. “Sarah, as far as I’m concerned you are my girlfriend. Only reason I hadn’t said it’s ‘cause I wasn’t sure you took our agreement that way.”

Sarah wouldn't listen. All she could think of was the fact that he’d slept with Dana and it made her sick. “Were you exclusive with her?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

“No, I wasn’t.”

The lump in her throat was beginning to suffocate her. Don’t you dare cry. She tried pulling away from him but he tightened his grip around her.

“So, why does she have your jersey, Angel?” She gulped hard. The words just kept coming and they wouldn’t stop. “Did you give it to her after you slept with her? How many other girls have your jersey?”

“No one else does.” His voice was too calm. “She borrowed it last year and never gave it back.”

He tried giving her a peck but she turned away. “What do you wanna hear, Sarah?”

That made her even madder. Was he gonna humor her now? She squirmed trying to get away from him but her struggle was futile. She was no match for his strong arms.

She stopped and looked him in square in the eye.

“I want the truth about you and Dana.”

“There was no me and her,” he insisted. “Even if there had been something why would I lie?”

“Because maybe you still have feelings for her?”

“What?” His laughter irritated her. “No babe, the only feelings I have are for you, and they’re big time. She’s got absolutely nothing on you.”

Sarah stared at him, desperately wanting to believe him. But if she hurt this much now only a few weeks into this relationship, how would she deal with anything worse? Being around Angel was doing something to her senses. She could hardly believe how wild her emotions had become. It scared her.

*

Shit! shit! shit! How stupid was he, to think Dana’s behavior hadn’t bothered Sarah? Her deliberate attempts to spite Sarah had been undeniable for weeks. The wounded expression on Sarah’s face said it all.

Sarah shook her head. “I’m sorry. I should’ve known better, Angel.”

Angel glared at her. “What the hell does that mean?”

“I mean this is who you are. This is what your world has always been like. Who am I to think I can fit in somehow? Things like this are going to keep happening and I don’t think I can handle it. I should’ve never agreed to –"

“Don’t even say it.” He took her hand and put it to his chest. His heart beat so hard he could feel the pulse raging in his throat. “You’re scaring me. I can’t believe you don’t see how crazy I am about you.”

She shook her head. “It’s too hard, Angel. I thought I could do this, but I can’t. Please try to put yourself in my place. Would you be able to deal with other guys constantly on me? I don’t know what I was thinking coming into this. I let myself get caught up in all the passion.”

Passion? Is that all this was to her? And what was that other absurdity she’d spat at him? Him, deal with other guys on her? Like hell. He stared at her hard, all the while squeezing her hand, and spoke through his teeth.

“What exactly is this to you?”

She turned away for what seemed much too long, then finally turned back to him. Her eyes glistened but she didn’t cry.

“My feelings for you are what have me so terrified," she said. "If I didn’t care so much I wouldn’t be backing out now before it’s too late.”

He stared at her in disbelief. Backing out? He felt the panic sear through his body. He searched her eyes for more but there was nothing.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

His heart still hammered away but he was strangely relieved. “Stop saying that, Sarah. You have nothing to be sorry about. This is my fault and I intend on fixing it. But I won’t let you back out now, sweetheart. I can’t. It may not be too late for you but there’s no turning back for me.”

He leaned over and kissed her forehead, then her cheeks and all around her mouth. “Angel," she whispered.

He continued to kiss her mouth, her chin. She said her feelings for him terrified her. So, he wasn’t alone in this. That’s all he needed to work with. He’d set everything straight on Monday.

“Angel."

He didn’t want to talk anymore, just hold her and kiss her.

“Angel.” She pulled away. “How are you gonna fix this? So, you get rid of Dana, what about all the others?”

He struggled to conceal his exasperation. “There are no others, Sarah. Sure I’ve hung out with others, but ironically thanks to Dana not as many as I know you’re thinking. Dana’s been the only thorn in my ass that I haven’t been able to get rid of. Until now I really had no reason to put any effort into it. I let her do and say whatever she pleased. I didn’t care.”

He kissed her, then held her face in his hands. “Trust me, baby, if Dana is gonna cost me being with you, she’s gone. Just like that. I’ll make sure of it.”