“Yeah, but I didn’t think he’d…”
“What? Choose the trailer trash over Cheer Barbie?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh, I know exactly what you meant, Linds.” Peyton flashed her a saccharine smile. “Happy first day back.”
Ashleigh snorted, but I rolled my eyes. “Peyton,” I said.
“It’s okay, babe. Lindsey was just leaving, weren’t you?”
“Yeah, whatever. Come on,” she said to her friends and they turned and sauntered off.
“Do you have to poke the bear?” I hissed.
“Oh, come on, Lil. She deserved it. Lindsey is a grade A bitch, who, might I add, is only going to get worse now it’s senior year.”
“I wish you wouldn’t encourage her.”
“Peyton’s right,” Ashleigh nodded, “she deserves everything she gets.”
The hall ushered into silence as a group of guys entered the building. Not just any guys.
Rixon East Eagles.
They all wore their red and white jerseys, moving as one. A ripple went through the air as the whispers started, rising like a wave hurtling toward the shore.
“Holy shit, they have balls,” Peyton whispered as we stood and watched the scene unfold.
They passed us and the air seemed to thin, but then our players entered the building, and Jenson Monroe, the captain of the football team, called out, “Yo, Eagles. You seem to have forgotten this isn’t your school.”
The new guys turned, and one pushed to the front, coming face-to-face with Jenson.
Anticipation crackled around us as the two teams went head-to-head in the hall. Ashleigh laced her arm through mine and pulled me close.
“You’re not welcome here,” Jenson said.
“You think I give a shit what you think, Monroe? I’m here to play ball and graduate, that’s all.” The Eagles’ mouthpiece was as tall as Jenson, with the same broad shoulders and muscular arms. His hair was mousey brown streaked through with dark blond, falling in his face a little, but it was his menacing eyes that stood out.
“Okay, okay.” Dad appeared, instantly cooling the situation. “Football players, locker room, now.” His hard gaze moved past Jenson to the Eagles’ players. “All of you. Everyone else, get to class.”
“Everything okay here?” he asked, his eyes lingering on mine, and I nodded.
“Good. I’m going to deal with this.” He stalked off down the hall, but that’s when I noticed a couple of the players hadn’t moved.
“Problem?” Peyton snapped.
“No problem.” The guy said coolly, and he turned to follow his teammates.
But Peyton stepped forward. “Hey, new guy, what’s your name?” she called after him.
He looked back, but his eyes slid straight past my best friend to me. “Kaiden,” he said. “Kaiden
Thatcher.”
Kaiden MY GUYS WAITED FOR ME, and I led them into the locker room. None of us wanted to be here, in a different school, with a different team. Our rival team, no less. The whole thing was a fucking shitshow, but the damage to Rixon East was too substantial for it to reopen in time for the semester. Which meant playing for another team or watching senior year go up in flames too.
The Raiders were bunched up on one side of the room, making it clear they had no intention of welcoming us with open arms.
“Take a seat, gentlemen.” Coach Ford met my hard gaze and tipped his chin. It wasn’t the first time I’d met him. But it was the first time he’d addressed me directly.
I knew all about Jason Ford, NFL legend and Rixon royalty. But where most people recognized him for his successful career with the Philadelphia Eagles, I knew him for other reasons.
He and my dad went back, way back. Back to when they were in high school. I’d heard the stories. The rival’s week pranks and mayhem. There was no love lost between my old man and my new coach.
None at all.
In fact, my father had petitioned for me to attend one of the other local high schools instead, but I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I wanted Rixon High. Coach Ford was the best, and if I had any hopes of getting a full ride to the college of my choice, I needed to play with the best.
My guys hesitated behind me, unsure of what the fuck they should do.
“I don’t have all day, ladies,” Coach added, and I gave my team a small nod.
They fell into step beside me as we got ourselves situated on the available benches.
“Okay, listen up.” Coach Ford yanked off his ball cap and ran a hand through his dark hair. “This isn’t how I saw the season going, just like how I’m sure it isn’t how you saw the season going, but here we are.
“The reality is, I have too many players and not enough spots. Which means things are going to have to change.”
“That’s bullshit, Coach,” Jenson Monroe shot up, “and you know it.”
“What I know, son, is that this team has a championship to defend. So unless you want to see it slip through our fingers this season, I suggest you sit your ass down and get with the program.
“This is how it’s going to go. You show up to practice, you work hard, you follow my lead, and
I’ll make sure you get time on the field.”
The room exploded with chatter. Monroe’s guys were arguing amongst themselves, outraged that we were coming in trying to steal their positions, while my guys were moaning about being forced to play with a team they hated. But not me and Monroe. We sat quiet, glaring at the other. He was their quarterback. The team’s leader. He was good too. But he wasn’t as good as me. And from the flicker of fear in his eyes, he knew it.
“Okay, okay,” Coach boomed. “Quit bitchin’. I want you changed and out on the field in ten. If you won’t listen to me in here, perhaps you’ll listen to me out there.” He stalked off, his anger rippling through the air.“What do we do, Thatch?” Bryan asked me.“You want to play football, Bry?”“Shit, yeah, but they don’t fucking want us here anymore than we want to be here.”“Suck it up, buttercup.” I slammed a hand to his chest and patted. “If you want Michigan to come knocking, you’re going to need to show them what you’ve got.”“I don’t know, Thatch… It’s their territory.” His eyes flicked over to where Monroe and his guys were changing into their uniforms.“Look. Forget about them and focus on the game.”“Yeah, I guess.”We got changed, reluctantly pulling on the white and blue jerseys one of the assistant coaches gave us. It felt wrong to be in their colors, but I guess we weren’t Eagles anymore.We were Raiders.And fuck if that didn’t feel like some kind of treachery.“RUN IT AG
He chuckled. “We’re not all assholes. So long as you don’t come looking for trouble.”“I can’t make any promises.” If Monroe kept pushing, eventually I’d snap. But I was hoping to avoid that.“You can do it.” Aaron clapped me on the shoulder before moving around me. “Come on,” he said, and I followed him inside.It wasn’t like I had much choice.“WELL, will you take a look at that.” Bryan let out a low whistle. “It’s like a fresh pussy buffet.” “Dude, I’m eating,” I quipped, stuffing another fry into my mouth.“Yeah, and hopefully I will be later.” He grinned, sticking his fingers up to his mouth in a V and licking.“Fucking idiot,” Gav said. “But he’s not wrong about the pussy. Case in point.” He pointed over to a group of girls in the lunch line.I recognized them from this morning in the hall.“The blonde is hot. Hey, Thatch, isn’t that the girl who called after you this morning?”“Dunno, is it?” I shrugged. She was a cute thing, sure. In that obvious hot girl kinda way. But it was
It was senior year. My last year of high school. Did I want to spend it hiding in the shadows? “He’s so small,” I said, watching her bathe the kitten.“Someone found him behind a dumpster.”“I don’t know how people can do that, just abandon them.” My heart ached for the small, helpless animal.Mom’s passion was the rescue center she managed. I’d grown up in A Brand New Tail, sitting right at this counter, watching her work her magic. The kitten purred as she scrubbed his fur.“We’ll have him as good as new soon enough.” She smiled over at me. “Still thinking about following in your mom’s footsteps?”“Maybe,” I said around a small shrug.“You’ll need to make a decision eventually, Lil.”“I know.” But the prospect of college terrified me. Everyone said it was a chance to find yourself, to learn who you really were. But for someone like me, it was an unknown quantity that made my stomach drop just thinking about it.“You can stay local, sweetheart,” Mom said, as if she could hear my thou
“Sorry, I forgot my cell.” She noticed the tension between me and Ashleigh and added, “What’s up?”“Nothing.” I smiled. “Leigh is worried about Peyton. Aren’t you?”“Uh, yeah. I’m worried—”“Worried about what?” Peyton ducked into the car beside Poppy. “Sorry, I overslept.” “Let’s roll.” Ashleigh pulled into the steady stream of morning traffic.“So I heard Lindsey is having a party Friday and I was thinking we should go.” “Hell yes,” my sister said.“Lindsey, really?” I balked.“It’s senior year, Lily,” Peyton added. “I know she’s a bitch, but everyone will be there.”“I don’t think so. You can go, but I’m not—”“Lily, don’t do this. Don’t let what happened back then ruin your senior year. You’re stronger than that.”“Peyton has a point, Lil,” Ashleigh glanced over at me. “It’s one party. What’s the worst that can happen?”“Come on, Lilster, please,” Poppy implored. “You know Mom and Dad won’t let me go unless you go.”“She won’t want me there.” Any more than I wanted to be there.“S
“Sweetheart, can I come in?”“Sure, Mom,” I said, and she slipped into my room.“Still not dressed?”“I don’t know what to wear.”“Well, I think anything will be an improvement on that.” She glanced at the fluffy robe wrapped around my body and chuckled. “Jeans and a t-shirt will be fine, baby. You don’t want to give your dad a heart attack.”“Yeah.” He’d been in a mood ever since Poppy announced we were going to the party tonight. Of course, he’d tried to say no, but Mom quickly intervened and reminded him we weren’t kids anymore.“I’m proud of you, you know? This is a big step, Lily.” Mom gave me a reassuring smile and left me to get dressed.I pulled on a cropped, black t-shirt emblazoned with metallic stars and some cropped jeans. Pulling my hair into a loose ponytail over one shoulder, I braided the ends, and added a touch of lip gloss.“Here goes nothing,” I said, grabbing my purse and making my way downstairs.Peyton and Poppy were already waiting. “You look hot, Lil.” My best
If it wasn’t for Mom and Coach Forrester, I’d be attending Millington or Fenn Hill, playing for one of their mediocre teams.Thank God for small mercies because although I didn’t relish playing with the Raiders, it was a damn sight better than playing for a team with no direction or hunger for the win.Everyone stopped to watch us follow Aaron and Cole down to the lake, but I let their stares roll off my back. I wasn’t looking for their approval or even their acceptance. I was here to play football and land a full ride to Alabama.“Fuck yes, jet skis,” Bryan said, nudging my arm.“No way you’ll get me on one of those things. It’s too dangerous.”“Seriously, Thatch, don’t be such a pussy.”“I’d rather be a pussy than benched for the season with a broken arm.”“He has a point,” Aaron said, and I tipped my chin in appreciation. “So how does Rixon High compare with East?” he asked.“It’s… different. But practice is similar. Coach Forrester isn’t such a hard ass as Coach Ford.” “Don’t let
“Now everyone’s here,” she announced, “I thought we could play seven minutes in heaven.” A chorus of cheers and some boos rang out around us.“That’s a kids game,” one of the guys protested.“Not the way we play it.” She winked at him, grabbing a bottle and moving beside the firepit. “The two people chosen have to go into the boat shed.” Lindsey motioned to the small building at the edge of the water. “Then you have seven minutes to… get to know each other. If you choose not to do it, you have to drink this.” She held out a cup and people started pouring a small bit of their drink into it until it was full.“That’s disgusting,” one of the girls said.“Consider it motivation.” Lindsey winked. “Ready?”It was lame, but it was probably her attempt at getting me in the shed. I hadn’t missed the way she positioned herself dead opposite me.She placed the bottle on the ground and spun it. “Okay, here we go.” It passed me once, twice, three times, finally landing on Bryan and one of Lindsey’
LilyMY HEART RACED in my chest, my palms growing slick with sweat. I was in the boat shed withKaiden Thatcher.Kaiden freaking Thatcher.How had this happened?Lindsey Filmer that’s how.She’d been pushing me, taunting me, shining the spotlight right on me, and something just snapped. I didn’t want to be the weird girl who never partied or never played their stupid games. For one night, for one small moment in time, I just wanted to be a normal teenager enjoying a party with her friends.Why was that so difficult?“Lily?” Kaiden asked, his brows furrowed. “Are you okay?”“I—” The words lodged in my throat as the room began to close in around me. “I’ll be fine,” I said, closing my eyes and inhaling a ragged breath.Leaning back against the wall, I pushed my hands behind me, trying to focus on something —anything—but the need building inside me.“Hey, if you’re uncomfortable, we can go.”“N-no, I just…” My eyes fluttered open, colliding with his. “I’m scared of small spaces.” It wasn’