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They chat for a few minutes before Savannah pulls Neil back to the dance floor where he awkwardly moves around but gives it a respectable effort.
“Neil really doesn’t have any rhythm.”
I know he’s teasing but I still tell him, “Neither do you.”
“Agreed, which is why I’m here.” Dustin pauses. “Dad told me about the game. I wanted to be there, but something came up. I didn’t even realize he was going.”
“It’s cool.” Not his fault, I know exactly where the responsibility lays.
“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t see that,” Dustin mumbles.
“See what?” Shit. Is something about to go down?
“Your lack-of-rhythm friend snuck his girlfriend into the off-limits part of the school.” Dustin slaps me on the shoulder as he stands. “At least someone gets to enjoy these stupid rituals.”
Right. And if anyone deserves to, it’s Neil. I stay perched in my stalker spot as my brother walks off, glad to watch her until I see Lenny and his stooge Zulich nearby. There’s a second I debate going over there if he plans to touch her, but she of course handles it herself. I can see the irritation in her face as she tells him something that causes him to walk away. Good. I’m already having enough trouble not putting my foot up his ass. I don’t need another reason.
But even though he’s stepped away from her, I find myself unable to stay away. Fuck. I’m getting more pathetic by the second. And she knows it because she has a smile pointed at me when I say, “I want to show you something.”
“Pass.” She turns her back on me, dancing and laughing. “Please, Morgan. A few seconds of the queen’s time. She won’t regret it. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Highly doubt that.” Her body keeps swaying to the music until she abruptly stops and faces me. “You know, you’re right. I won’t regret it. That’s something I don’t ever feel when it comes to you.” Her nails scrape along my arm as she slips past me, and I feel it in every part of my body. I know the pain behind the insult. I know what she’s trying to tell me. And it makes me want to invent a time machine.
When she sits at a nearby table, I make the chump move of sitting next to her. I don’t say anything, simply sit there and let everything run through my mind. She’s had three years to process what’s happened. I just found out. But I have a feeling none of it will be easier with time. We’ll always love to hate each other because it’s easier than facing the pain.
“What the hell now?”
When I look to her line of vision, I see a frantic Savannah hurrying behind Neil. Blood. He’s got blood on his face. What the fuck?
“What happened?” I shout after him as he blows out of the gym. Stopping, he turns to face me as he wipes his nose. “Nothing.”
“I gave you my word, but if he’s still fucking with you, I can’t keep pretending like it’s nothing.”
I’m dumbfounded as I watch the blood drip over Neil’s smiling lips. “I asked for this one. I did. I don’t need you to defend me, Cade. I can handle it.” He keeps walking and I spot the party bus nearby as he moves to it.
I follow Savannah and ask her what happened. “Lenny said something to Neil, and Neil just lost it. He flew into a crazy rage and started hitting Lenny.” Um. Not what I was expecting, but I’m happy to hear it. “Lenny got the upper hand and punched Neil, but Topher broke it up.” Savannah looks over to the bus. “Lenny’s never going to leave him alone. I don’t get it or why Ava is still with him.” She thankfully doesn’t wait for me to respond because I’ve got nothing.
I understand putting up with crazy but can’t see it with Lenny. And I can’t let it go. Hewillstop.
I make my way into the gym and spot Lenny near the back wall. Damn. Neil did get in a good hit from the look of his busted lip. Topher is in front of me before I reach Lenny, but I still keep a watch on the bastard as he smirks at me. “Ah, he sent in someone else since he can’t handle me.”
“From the looks of it, he did pretty damn good.” I rub the corner of my lip with my finger. “But just know, when I get the chance, you won’t walk away.”
He holds his arms up. “Time and place, dude. Name it.”
Topher presses his hands to my shoulders, pushing me back, and yells to Lenny, “Y’all are gonna drive me out of my fucking mind.” He looks to me. “Same team, remember?”
“He remembers,” Lenny shouts. “Especially since I had to bail his ass out last night.” He makes a dramatic kicking motion, reminding me of his last-second field goal.
God, I plan to break that leg.
My brother appears behind Topher, blocking my view of Lenny. “Cade, time to go.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.” Topher hauls me along with him as I follow.
I want to listen to Topher and Dustin, but all I can imagine is the satisfying crack of Lenny’s leg breaking. One day, I will. Even if it’s after the season ends, if I can hold out that long. But what really worries me is my thoughts. Because like the crazy I claim she is, I’m feeling it even more now. Because I could snap his neck and walk away without a bit of remorse if it means keeping him from causing Neil more pain.
17
