AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Will you girls be at the pep rally Friday?” Bryan asked, his eyes fixed firmly on Peyton. She had that effect on guys. Drew them in with her flirty smiles and overt sexuality.
“Yeah, we’ll be there. Our dad would never let us live it down if we didn’t show our support for the team,” Poppy answered.
“He said there’s a thing at a bar after,” Bryan said around a mouthful of pizza.
“Bell’s? Yeah, it’s kind of the team’s hangout. The booster fund makes it an annual thing. There’s food and music. You’re coming?”
“Well yeah, we are Raiders now.”
That sent a ripple through the air. Because Bryan was right. They were Raiders now.
Whether people liked it or not.
* * *
We stayedat the Bennet’s until the sun sank into the tree line.
I watched out the corner of my eye as the guys said goodbye.
“Thanks for having us.” Kaiden and Aaron did that guy hug back slap thing. “See you at school tomorrow.”
“I’m just going to use the bathroom,” I whispered to Sofia, excusing myself. The Bennet’s was quiet except for the faint rumble of noise coming from the television in the living room. Mr. Bennet had gotten home a while ago and after coming to say a brief hello and warn us about the dangers of drinking and having sex, much to the embarrassment of Sofia and Aaron, had left us to it.
I made my way down the hall and slipped into the bathroom. When I was done, I washed my hands and dried them on the towel. I was on edge. Restless. My eyes darted to the ends of my braid, thinking how good it would feel to just sink my fingers into my roots and tug.
Clutching the edge of the marbled counter, I stared at myself in the mirror, wishing more than anything that I was someone else. But this wasn’t a fairy tale and there was no fairy godmother coming to turn me into a princess.
With a resigned sigh, I pulled open the door and stepped out into the hall, only to collide with Kaiden.
“Shit,” he grunted, backing away from me. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I rubbed my shoulder. “Sorry, I didn’t—”
“Forget it. I just need to use the bathroom before we leave.” He moved around me and grabbed the door handle.
Just like that.
As if I was no one, nothing.
As if we hadn’t kissed just days ago.
Frustration pulsed through me as I walked away. But it quickly turned to anger.
Without thinking, I spun around and narrowed my eyes at him. “You know. I’ve heard things about you. About your dad. But never once, did I judge you.”
“Lily, that’s not—”
“I’m not done.” I cut him off, blood roaring in my ears. I didn’t speak to people like this, ever. But something had been brewing inside me ever since yesterday morning when Lindsey dropped the bomb that I was Coach Ford’s daughter.
“I know my dad is the coach. I know it complicates things. But I felt something at the party, and I think you did too.”
What was I saying?
Kaiden stared at me, giving nothing away. Under his intense regard, my temporary confidence began to slip.
“So I guess what I’m trying to say is—”
“Lily? Is that you?” Mr. Bennet’s voice echoed down the hall, and the blood drained from my face.
