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A plan unfolds in my head. It’s not the best idea I’ve ever had, but what was it Ace said? Live a little.
Maybe it’s time I start doing just that. Screw Michaela and her stuck-up cheer friends. Screw Bexley and his entitled ways.
Screw Ace and his games.
“I’m in,” I say, feeling a sliver of excitement snake through me.
“Oh no,” Hadley sounds concerned. “What are you planning?”
“Who, me?” I reply sweetly. “Nothing.”
“Remi, I didn’t mean...” She stops herself, letting out a resigned sigh. Hadley knows me well enough than to try and talk me out of anything. Only, before now, it’s always been her trying to talk me out of hiding out at lunch or avoiding extra-curricular activities.
But she’s right. It’s senior year. I don’t want to graduate and regret being the girl who let everyone walk right over her.
“Just don’t do anything too crazy tonight, okay?”
“I can’t make any promises,” I reply, and she chuckles.
“I’m going to regret ever saying anything, aren’t I?”
My lips curve into a devious smile as I whisper, “We’ll see.”
The football field is a sea of blue and white as I weave through the crowd. Kids stare at me; girls sneering and guys checking me out. I’m not usually on the end of their appraisal, but tonight I came dressed to impress. The black denim mini skirt hugs my hips and skims my ass, and the Seahawk tank I dug out of the bottom of the wardrobe is two sizes too small, but it makes my boobs look great and shows off a sliver of my toned stomach. I’ve gathered my long curls into two bunches that flow down my shoulders, and the pristine white sneakers I’m wearing give me that prep school look the boys of Sterling Bay seem to love so much.
Someone wolf whistles, and I glance over my shoulder. “Looking good, Tanner,” a guy from class calls, his eyes roaming down my body.
Fickle jerk.
I flash him the fakest smile I can muster and continue moving deeper into the crowd. The cheer team is already on the field, whipping up a frenzy, but there’s no sign of the football team yet. I’ve just found a seat in the bleachers when Hadley spots me. Her eyes widen as she approaches me. “Holy shit, girl, you look...”
“Thanks,” I smirk. “Thought I’d better make the effort, you know? Go Seahawks.” I punch the air.
She chuckles, but her smile quickly melts away. Hadley leans in, whispering, “Are you drunk?”
“What, no!” She gives me a pointed look. “Okay, so I may have had one or two of Mom’s wine coolers before I left the house.”
“Remi.” Disappointment etches into her expression.
“I needed some Dutch courage to leave the house dressed like this.”
Her brows crinkle. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay? I have to go do my thing.” She flicks her head to the field, and, surprise surprise, Michaela is glaring right at us.
“You should go. I’ll see you after. Besides,” I slide my arm through the guy’s sitting next to me, “my new friend here will keep me company.”
“I will?” he chokes out.
“Is that going to be a problem?” I flash him a smile. I recognize him from a couple of my classes last year but can’t remember his name. It’s clear he’s the booksmart type. He's wearing a button down shirt, dress pants and a sweater vest. The poor guy looks as out of place here as I feel.
“I... uh, no... sure, whatever.” His friends all snicker, teasing him, but then the music booms over the PA system, drowning them out. The cheer team breaks formation and starts tumbling and flipping across the field. I scan the crowd, wondering whether Hadley is right about Ace coming to support his brother. I can’t imagine him being here, with the prep school masses.
But then I spot him, standing over by the edge of the bleachers, in the cover of the shadows. He notices me and his eyes narrow dangerously, sending a violent shiver rolling through me. He looks pissed.
Good, that makes two of us.
Inhaling a long drag on his cigarette, he exhales a tendril of smoke, never once taking his eyes off me. I break the spell, forcing myself to look at the cheer team. I don’t know what game Ace is playing, or what changed after the day we spent together, but I’m done being his toy.
Tonight, I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine.
