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The ball is snapped and the play has started. Before I can even look for an opening, I'm on my back again, this time with number seventeen on top of me and his knees in my sides.
I taste blood and groan. Ash checks on me, then storms off after the linebacker that keeps gunning for me. Throwing his helmet to the ground, he charges him and brings him down to the turf.
“Shit,” I groan as Bast chases after Ash to pull him off. We don't need any penalties. Even though I have spent most of this game on my back, we're still in the lead.
“Miller, bench, now!” Coach roars and I sigh. Bast grabs Ash and pulls him to the sidelines. Miles is swapped in and I clench my teeth. I know he's on our team, and fighting for a place in The Society too, but he's a total prick.
I do not like him. Even before he broke Ash’s wrist, he was always a jerk. Thinking he walks on water because his family is rich.
Treating Ash and me like we are scum. I hope he doesn't become a member.
Glancing up into the stands, I can see Tempest and Chastity cheering us on. Her hair is framed around her face, and the smile she's wearing makes her look gorgeous.
I take in a deep breath and try to get my head back in the game.
Bast comes over to me and pats me on the back. I nod up to the stands and he smiles. "Let's win this for our girl, then get some food. I'm starving," he says and I nod.
Let's do this!
BASTIAN
“Great game,” Chastity cheers, and then jumps into my arms to give me a huge hug. I grunt at the sudden movement. My ribs are killing me after that last brutal play, but I wouldn't change a thing.
“Thanks, Beautiful,” I whisper just for her, and she melts into my arms.
“Okay, enough of that. You're hogging him.” Tempest pretends to whine, and I put Chastity’s feet back onto the ground before I give Temp a quick squeeze.
“Thanks,” I quietly say and she nods.
Sometimes it's hard to remember that Chas isn't mine yet, and she's married to Levi.
I don't need people starting rumors about her. I know her mental health is at risk right now.
A shadow hovers above me and I try not to audibly groan. I was hoping my father would just watch the game then leave. I should have known better.
“Bastian, a word,” the man who raised me snaps in a cruel tone.
“Why don't you all go on ahead? I'll meet you in the courtyard,” I say, and though Chastity gives me a concerned look, Jonas takes her hand and leads her away.
He knows how my father can be, and I really don't want Chas seeing me cower to him.
I know she would never judge me, but still…
“Hello, Sir,” I say politely, turning to give him my full attention. He has a scowl on his face, and he's wearing his signature suit.
“That game was pitiful,” he responds, and I drop my eyes to the ground. I know I am always telling Chas not to submit, but with my father, it's the only way to get through the conversation. “You’re better than this, yet you and your team played like shit. One of them spent more time on his back than running the ball!”
Wincing, I want to change the subject back to me, because I don’t like when he belittles my friends. “We did the best we could. We still won.”
He once was a good man. I looked up to him—wanted to be just like him. But after I was ruined, in his eyes, I became a disgrace.
He now sees me as impure, as if it was my fault. Scowling, my father growls. “You bloody well know your best isn’t good enough, you dirty little shit. You are only my son by blood, which means you have to work three times as hard as everyone else. If you are going to continue to play like shit, then you won’t play at all, Bastian.”
"Thank you for coming, Sir," I say, because I know if I don't acknowledge that he showed up, he will make me listen to his preaching all night.
I just want to get this over and done with, then spend some time with my girl, and maybe get her to bake me some cookies.
“I didn't come here to watch some non-important football game and you know it. So let's cut the nonsense and get down to business. Your final trial is coming up. You better be ready and make me proud, Son. If you embarrass this family…” He doesn't finish, and I know that it's because people are around.
