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“I’m sure we can find something to do until your mother gets home.” He reaches out and tucks one of my curls behind my ear, his hand lingering by my face. Fear engulfs me. My body screams for me to move, but I don’t. I’m a deer caught in the headlights.
A knock sounds at the door, breaking whatever hold is over me. “I should get that.” I rush past him toward the front door. When I swing it open, I see Sadie standing there with her boyfriend slash personal bodyguard Dunc behind her. I’ve never been happier to see people in my life. Or more thankful that Van is so damn pushy and sent them here.
“Hey!” she chirps. “Van said you needed a ride.” I glance over my shoulder to Richard.
“Yeah, let me grab my things.”
Van has a way of always getting what he wants. This time I think he saved me in a way I don’t want to even begin to try to comprehend.
Chapter
Ten
VAN
“This isn’t our last game. It’s not a fierce rivalry. We’re expected to win. If any of these thoughts are swimming through your head right now, shake them off. That kind of mentality will lead to ugly surprises. Every game is difficult. Every play is one that could go wrong. Be sharp! Be mentally tough! Be a Trojan!” Coach Pelican raises his fist in the air, and the entire locker room erupts. We shout, “Be a Trojan! Be a Trojan!” faster and faster until only a chant of “Beat! Beat! Beat” can be heard through the tunnel. We race forward into the smoke and the sparklers, thumping our chests and knocking our helmets between our palms.
The opposing team shifts uneasily on the sideline as the band’s drums and brass blare our school song. The cheerleaders throw their poms in the air, and the fans in the stands roar together. Football, it’s in my blood. I love it. I turn to the stands and pump my arms for the crowd to get louder, and they do. I scan the student section until I spot Fleur. She’s covered up and barely clapping, but she’s here. I wink at her and then point for good measure. Half our classmates’ heads swivel in her direction, which causes our school newspaper editor to shrink down. Sadie hauls her upright and waves enthusiastically in my direction. I’ll have to remember to get Sadie a big gift for her next birthday since she’s got my back here.
“Hey, did you hear the news?”
I tear my eyes away from Fleur to see Tucker at my side. His helmet is half on his head, half off, and he has a pack of gum in his hands. He offers me a piece. I take one because that’s our routine. “Like world news, school news, or football news?” I ask after popping the stick of gum into my mouth. One of the team managers comes over and takes my foil wrapper to throw away somewhere. One thing about being a starter on a football team, I wouldn’t have to wipe my own shit if I didn’t want to.
“Football. When have I cared about world news?”
“Never. I apologize for even suggesting that you might have an interest outside this.” I wave toward the grass.
“Thank you. I am proud of being uncultured and ignorant. It’s very pleasant in this bubble. Anyway, on to the important shit. Bubbles Anderson said she will allow the high scorer of tonight’s game to violate any hole on her body.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
“What happened to no-nut November?”
“I already told you. Only Smurf is doing that shit.” Pretty sure he is unless he gets Ms. Funnel to come around, but I’ll keep that to myself.
“I’ll have Coach draw you up a play at the end of the game, then, so you can score one more than me.”
Tucker cocks his head. “Did you not hear me? Any hole. On Bubbles. Bubbles.” He holds his hands against his chest to emphasize the serious rack Bubbles carries around. I have no clue who he’s talking about.
“I’m not interested.”
“How can you not be interested? You have a dick. Even gay men are hot after Bubbles.”
“Those guys would be bi then instead of gay.”
“Are we really having a debate about sexuality?” Tucker throws up his hands. “This is supposed to motivate us! We’re trying to win.”
I laugh and clap a frustrated Tucker on his shoulder. “We’re going to win. I’m going to put so many points up on the board that the Whirlwinds over there are going to start spinning in their graves, but I’m not doing it so that I can access Bubbles Anderson. I’ve got a girl.” I jerk my thumb toward the stands. “Fleur, remember?”
Tucker frowns. “I thought that was a joke or something you were doing because you were getting paid.”
It’s my turn to frown. “Why would you think it’s a joke? Fleur is hot as fuck.”
“I know she’s hot but?—”
That makes me frown even harder. Why is Tucker thinking about Fleur’s body? She belongs to me. No one else should be entertaining thoughts about her. “Why are you calling my girl hot?”
“You just said Fleur?—”
My hands fists involuntarily at my side. “Don’t talk about Fleur.”
