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“Who gives a shit?” Dunc pulls Sadie more into his side. “Are you cold?” Sadie rolls her eyes at him, but I don’t miss the small smile that plays on her lips.
“Honey!” someone calls. We all turn to see a woman waving at us all. She has two men in tow. I recall them from Van and Sadie’s party, and I know it’s all their parents. One of the men has Sadie’s eyes, so I’m guessing that’s her dad, and the other man has to be Dunc and Van’s father.
“Yeah, so my mom might have found out about you,” Sadie tells me under her breath. I can see how her eyes light up talking about her mom. It’s sweet how she took her in as her own. I’ve got a birth mom that drives me insane.
“Found out what?” I'm not ready to meet any parents. I’ve mentally purchased a one-way ticket out of whatever Van and I have going on already.
“You know.” Sadie shrugs.
“No, I don’t know,” I hiss back, surmising from her reaction that she’s talking about my fake relationship with Van.
“Is this her? I remember your stunning red hair from the party. It’s beautiful. I’m Van and Sadie’s mom.” She pulls me in for a hug before I can respond. Before I know what’s happening, I’m embracing her as well. What the heck? “I hear you’re dating Van.”
“Maybe.”
“Oh.” Her smile falters. “The men in this family can be?—”
“Possessive.” Both Van’s dad and Dunc speak at the same time.
“That’s one way to describe it.” She laughs.
“Well, it was nice to meet you, but I have to get going.” I know I’m being rude, but I’m all over the place, and I hate it. Van’s mom looks way too excited to meet me.
As confusing as their whole family is looking in from the outside, they’re still well, a family. One with issues, but it’s obvious that they love each other, and I don’t need any more attachments to this. It’s sticky enough as it is.
I don’t even make it down the bleachers before Sadie has my elbow. “We’re your ride,” she reminds me. How the hell did I forgot that?
“Besides, we’re going to the after-party,” Dunc chimes in.
“Dunc, when have either of us gone to the after-party?” I ask. I’ve heard many girls over the years complain he never went. He’s always been too cool for school, if that’s really a thing.
“I don’t know, but fuck.” He runs his hand through his hair. “I’m handing you over to Van, not taking you back to your place.”
“Handing me over?” I scoff.
“We can take her home if that’s what she wants.” Sadie glares at Dunc.
“I’m not taking her home.” For once, Dunc rebuffs Sadie.
“What the hell!” Sadie hisses at him.
“I saw the way that fuck was looking at her. Not taking her there. I’ll hand her to Van.” Dunc's face grows serious. I swallow, thinking back to my mom’s boyfriend. I’d gotten so wrapped up in all this it somehow slipped my mind. That’s because Van takes up too many of my thoughts.
“Fine. I’ll go to the party.” I give. “If you take me.” The last thing I am going to do right now is be handed over to Van.
For all I know, Bubbles has her hands full of him already.
Chapter
Twelve
VAN
“We look cute together, don’t we?” Bubbles coos as she leans toward me. Someone snaps a photo. Another person pours a bottle of Gatorade on my head. “Playoffs, here we come.” Tucker claps.
It’s chaos inside the locker room. It’s packed with reporters, scouts, parents, cheerleaders, and equipment, and I can barely move. Bubbles is attempting to take advantage of the lack of space by clinging to me. I pull my arm away from her and step behind Tucker.
“Do some blocking for me,” I mutter in his ear.
