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I hope she’s right. I need it to go well. For the girls, my reputation, and because for some reason, Jerry has been breathing down my neck about it. There is showing your support for the arts, and I’m all for that, but this is next-level.
"Jerry just makes me really nervous, you know. He keeps saying stuff like, ‘You better bring home the trophy, you know that's what you were hired to do. Might be out of the job if you don't.’"
"It’s normal, he just takes it all a little too seriously. He was the same when I took them last year. Trust me, we just all go and do our best, and it will be fine whether we win or not."
I turn around and jump in fright because Miles is right behind me. With everything going on, my nerves are already frazzled, and I seem to have lost the ability to function like normal.
He takes a step back, adjusting his cap. “Sorry, you okay? You’re very jumpy for a Monday.” He smiles.
“Yeah, it was just a really long weekend. Got a lot going on. And don’t even get me started about the competition this weekend. I’m sick to my stomach about it." I look to Scarlet.
"Everything is going to be fine. Tell her, Miles."
"Don’t let the pressure get to you. I get chills when I watch you dance, and the cheer girls have you as their leader, so they will be amazing.” Chills. That’s what Brandon used to say to me.
"See, it's all going to be perfect,” Scarlet repeats. “Anyway, you two, I have to run. Call me if you need anything, Cass," she calls as she is already walking away.
"Thanks." I wave her off, kind of wishing she hadn't left me alone with Miles. Not because I don't like him, I do, we have been really good friends until now. But I've been avoiding him after what he walked in on last week. Unfortunately, this school isn’t big enough to avoid anyone for too long, so I guess I’d better deal with it now. “I’m sorry about the other day in the gym." Absentmindedly, I rub a hand over my face, still totally embarrassed by the whole scene.
He laughs, remembering catching us in a very compromising position. It hardly even feels relevant now after so much has happened, but I don’t want it to be weird between us. “That why you shacked up with him already? So you won’t have to go sneaking around anymore?” He raises a brow in a way I don’t appreciate. How does he even know that?
I narrow my eyes on him, kind of annoyed at how fast Brandon was to spread the news. He was probably trying to make sure Miles stays away from me. He’s such a jealous prick. “Did Brandon tell you?”
“It’s a small town, Cassie; everyone knows what’s going on around here, especially with its superstar. I just hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. I like Brandon. He’s a cool dude, but I wouldn’t like to see a nice girl like you in any sort of trouble.”
My heart does that weird thing again at the mention of trouble. Why is that everyone’s first reaction when they find out I’m with him? “Do you think I’m in trouble?” I ask, wanting to know exactly whatever it is he knows.
He shuffles his cap again, straightening up. “Nope, all I'm saying is be careful. And I’m here if you ever need me.”
I eye him suspiciously. I don’t believe that for a second. “Okay, thanks. I’d better keep moving. I’ve got so much to do before the weekend. I’ll catch you around.” I step around him and continue down the hall.
There is this eerie feeling in the air. Every time I let Brandon in a little, something happens to make me question him, and this strange interaction with Miles makes me question this whole town. Is anyone even who they say they are? How can I be so in love with the man but still not really trust him, still feel like at any moment the rug will be pulled from beneath my feet and I will be left a heap of nothingness again? Or worse, now that I know who he is, I could actually be in some sort of trouble.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
CASSANDRA
"I’dbetterletyougo, but good luck today, honey. I'm sure your cheer girls will smash it," my mom's sweet voice chirps through the phone.
"Thanks for calling, Mom, I love you," I tell her, feeling a little homesick.
"Love you too, Cass."
I hang up the phone and wipe at my eyes. She has called me most days this week, but for some reason, today it made me emotional. It was so nice to hear her voice, I really needed it. I slip my phone into my bag and enter the stadium, on the hunt for Scarlet. She's easy to spot in her Palm Springs High sports jacket and faded skinny jeans.
"What's with muscles?" Scarlet asks, looking behind me.
I roll my eyes. "Scarlet, this is Brandon's friend Kobe. My car wouldn't start again, so he brought me," I lie through my teeth. There is no way in hell I'm telling her I'm not allowed to leave the house without a bodyguard. Least that's what it feels like.
She smiles toward him, and I can tell she is checking him out. "How kind of you, Kobe, thanks for helping our girl out. We wouldn't have made it through today without her."
"Always happy to help out a damsel in distress." He smirks at her, and I cringe.
Kobe is good-looking and all, and nice enough. I’ve gotten used to having him around this week. Like Jett said, when Brandon isn't at school, the two of them are pretty inseparable. But he's the biggest womanizer around and flirts with anything with a pussy. It's shameful. I would have much preferred to make the trip to Los Angeles on my own or on the bus with the rest of them, but because Brandon is still paranoid about some threat that I don't understand, I've not been able to leave the house without him all week. And since his team plays today, he had to send the next best thing to keep an eye on me. I’m still pissed about it. I’m starting to feel suffocated by the lot of them. Even Brandon.
I take a seat with Scarlet, trying my best to tune him out. "Have they released the performance lineup yet?"
"Yeah, twenty schools here today, and we’re up last."
