Page 11 of Always: A Legacy Novel

“You won’t be, either, if Uncle Dante grounds you for skipping.”

“Shut up, and stop sucking so much.”

Liliana tossed her a look. “Maybe that attitude is why you’re not making friends.”

Catherine didn’t grace that with a response. She followed behind Liliana as they stepped off the bleachers and walked alongside the field to head back to the school.

“Hey, new girl!”

The shout from an unfamiliar voice made Catherine stiffen, but she chose not to pay it any attention. She found a lot of the kids at the Academy had been attending the same schools for years, and they all knew one another. It was unusual for a new face to pop up, and she just happened to be one of a few new students that year.

“Hey, slow down, pretty girl,” the guy said as he jogged alongside Catherine and Liliana. He didn’t look to be much older than her or Liliana, but she figured if he was, he would be in the upper Academy anyway.

“Are you fucking serious, Hugh?” Liliana asked. “Go bother someone else.”

The guy—Hugh—turned on one foot to jog backwards, and let his helmet dangle from one hand. “What? I have to say hi to the fresh meat, don’t I?”

Catherine just stared at the guy. “Go away.”

“Aw, don’t be like that. You’re new, right? Make a friend. I’m a pretty decent guy to start with.”

She doubted that, for some reason. “Seriously, go away.”

He just laughed. “What’s your name?”

Catherine sighed.

Maybe if she just gave the guy what he wanted, he would leave her the hell alone.

“Catherine.”

“Last name? You know, for research purposes.”

Liliana reached over and pushed Hugh hard on his shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance. “Will you crawl off somewhere, creep?”

Hugh righted himself with a glare. “Don’t be a bitch, Lily.”

“Hugh, let’s go! Leave the conversation on the sidelines for your own time, not mine. Donati has been waiting for you for three minutes. Stop wasting my time!”

Catherine didn’t realize how close the football team, and their coaches had come to the sidelines as they were walking off. Out of all the players, only one still had his helmet off, and he wore a scowl that could rival the Devil’s.

A scowl fixed on a very handsome face.

Catherine lingered on the guy for a few more seconds, taking in his smooth features, strong jaw, dark eyes, and irritated expression. She didn’t think she had seen someone look pissed off and damn cute at the same time before. He ran a hand through his dark curls, and his olive-toned complexion shined with perspiration.

“Cross can wait a second,” Hugh hollered back. “I’m working on something here.”

“Working on getting your nuts to ascend back into your body,” Liliana muttered under her breath.

Catherine giggled. Her amusement faded fast. Like the second Hugh grabbed her arm in a tight grip, and stopped her from walking further.

“Last name?” he asked again.

She tugged her arm to free it from his grasp, but he didn’t let go. She looked down at his hand pointedly. “That’s a no.”

“Shit, what’s your problem? I’m just asking who the hell—”

“Let me go,” Catherine said.