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I love that Ronnie gets so excited for her best friend. I love her loyalty and her spirit. I love that she teases me back when I tease her. I love a lot of things about her. I know I’m falling fast, but I can’t seem to stop it.
She pulls me by the hand through the crowds to find Sam. She’s with the rest of the band just coming off the field.
Ronnie lets go of my hand and runs toward her. “You did so great, girl. I’m so proud of you!”
They hug each other tightly. Sam takes off the hat that’s already falling off her head. She shakes out her long hair and grins excitedly. She’s vibrating with excitement. “I messed up a little in the middle, but I don’t think anyone noticed. I’m so glad that’s over.”
She eyes me with suspicion. “I see you brought your guy.” She holds out her hand to me and eyes me up and down.
I shake her delicate hand and nod. “Nice job out there. Red was really excited for you.”
“Red, huh? Already got a cute nickname for our girl. I like it.”
She steps up to me and I look down at her. I have to look pretty far down. Her index finger digs into my chest. “So, I know you may be hot stuff, but Ronnie is better than all the rest of us. Don’t forget it, and don’t break her heart. You hurt her, and I will hurt you, got it?”
Part of me wants to laugh, but she glares at me so fiercely that I nod. “I know exactly how wonderful Red is, and I promise to always treat her that way. She’s an amazing girl and I will protect her with everything I have.”
She steps back and crosses her arms. She must see how sincere I am by my unwavering gaze, because her expression changes into a large grin. “Okay, you’ll do.” She turns around and gives Ronnie another small hug. “I’ve got to go pack up my stuff, but I’ll call you later, girlie. You can tell me more about this guy.” She gestures towards me and I smile.
“Pretty fierce best friend you have there,” I say after she’s left us alone.
She gazes after Sam. “Pretty great best friend.”
She turns around to look at me. “So, what’s after this, big guy? How do you top a football game? I hope by a lot, since I hate football.”
I put my arm around her. “Don’t worry Red, I’ve got some great plans for us.” And I do. I want to take her to my favorite Italian restaurant and then walk by the waterfront with her. I want to hold her hand and kiss her. I want to be as mushy as possible with her.
“What do we have here?” I tense up when I hear Marissa’s voice. She’s such a bitch and if I could get her prosecuted for her part in what happened to Ronnie, I would.
Ronnie and I both turn around and groan simultaneously.
“So, what’s up Marissa? Looks like you and the cheerleaders are doing a great job.” Ronnie says in a too sweet voice.
“Our asses are getting beat on the field, and here you two are all cozied up. Doesn’t seem right somehow.” She flips her hair and I watch as the other cheerleaders do the same flip with their hair. Lord, save me from teenage girls with no individuality.
“You aren’t in jail, and that doesn’t seem right to me somehow, Marissa.” I can’t help but growl at her. This girl gets my hackles up.
“You seemed to like me just fine, Sawyer, when I was underneath you two years ago.” I swear she cackles like a wicked witch. My shoulders tense up and I feel Ronnie let go of my hand. I never told her I hooked up with Marissa, but I never saw a reason to. I went through a bad phase after my dad left, and honestly a lot of my activities during that time are a blur. I’ve finally got my shit together, and Marissa knows that. She also knows how inexperienced Ronnie is. Apparently, she had to bring our history up.
She raises an eyebrow. “Aww, poor naïve Ronnie. You didn’t realize Sawyer’s had most of the girls in our school, did you? He probably even used the same pickup lines. Bradley and Sawyer could populate this whole stadium with the girls they’ve screwed. They’re more than cousins. They’re just alike.” She steps forward towards Ronnie, and I step in between the two of them.
“It’s okay Sawyer. I can handle it,” Ronnie says softly from behind me. I move so that the two of them are standing in front of each other.
“Marissa, I’m well aware that Sawyer has a past. He’s been nothing but kind to me. I don’t judge people only by what they did during difficult times in their lives.” Her voice is rational and calm. I’m proud of my girl. She doesn’t seem at all rattled.
I don’t trust Marissa’s sly grin. She leans forward until she’s almost nose to nose with Ronnie. “While you were giving me your little lecture in the bathroom the other day, I couldn’t help but think how ironic it is.”
Ronnie wrinkles her forehead. “Ironic that…”
“I find it ironic that your new boyfriend definitely knows how to treat women like pieces of meat. He knew about the little bet Brad had going on to get you in bed. He knew about it and he was part of it. He’s probably still trying to win the bet.”
Ronnie goes pale and I reach for her hand. “Ronnie,” I say hoarsely. My heart is beating so fast that I feel sick to my stomach. “Ronnie, talk to me.”
She looks at me with tears in her eyes. “Did you know about the bet?”
“Ronnie, I..” I know the expression on my face screams my guilt, and I want to tell her I had no part in the bet, but my words are stuck.
“Did you know about the bet?” Now, she’s screaming at me and people are starting to stare. I look around frantically and push my hand through my hair. Marissa has her arms crossed and smirks. She seems extremely satisfied. I’ve never wanted to slap a girl before, but right now I wish I could.
