Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

Music roars through speakers and my squad and I jump into formation. Adrenaline surges through me as the crowd cheers us on.

Twisting to the left, I kick my leg in the air and throw my hands to the sky, waving my pom poms, all with a big grin on my face.

Even as we’re down 21-10 in the last minutes of the second quarter, my smile never falters.

The stadium falls dead silent as the other team's quarterback scrambles for a ten-yard pass on the fourth down.

"Go, Legs!” I hear the distant voice call out from somewhere in the stands.

My cheeks heat up and I feel every pair of my squad’s eyes on me. I look out in the stands searching frantically for Hayes—because I know it was Hayes.

A second later, I find him decked out in Devils colors with his fist pumping in the air, eyes locked on mine. I shake my head at him suppressing the ridiculous smile that threatens to break free. All the while he has no shame as his grin stretches from ear to ear.

I can’t believe he’s even here. I’ve never seen Hayes at one of our games and he’s never given any inclination that he cared to watch one. Then again, he isn’t really watching the game. It appears he’s just watching me.

“Girl, what was that all about?” Lucia sings as she steps up to my side, shaking her pom poms as we keep our eyes trained on the field. “Is there something going on with you and Hayes?”

“No. Not really. We’re just friends.” It’s weird using that word in reference to Hayes. But, yeah. I think we are friends. Though, our kiss last night sure as hell felt like more. As I lay there on my back with his body hovering over me, it felt like time was standing still.

I waited with bated breath, hoping he’d kiss me, then he did. Of course, I had to fuck with him a little bit. I think my move only intensified the moment though. It was a perfect kiss. Almost too perfect because it scared the shit out of me.

I don’t know why I told him it shouldn’t have happened. I guess my reaction was rooted in fear that he didn't feel the same way. But now, as I glance at him in the stands—watching me with deep intensity—I don’t think he’s too far behind my fall.

Feeling like I’m under Hayes’ scrutiny, I do my best to remain focused on our cheers. When halftime rolls around, we slay our performance on the field. So much so that Coach Wendy tells us we get the day off tomorrow from practice.

In the end, we lost the game 21-18. It sucks, but I’m not sad over it. I actually enjoy seeing the look of defeat on Kamden’s face as he walks off the field.

Knowing Hayes is here somewhere, I try to get through our post-game festivities quickly in hopes of catching him before he leaves. On our way to the locker room, we all make plans to go to Piggy’s after the game, but I’m not so sure I’ll be able to since I’m under Hayes’ orders for another day.

It’s probably for the best. I’m not so sure I want to be part of that scene right now. Even though my viral video seems to have died down, Gabby seems to be doing everything in her power to keep it alive. Even now as she’s gossiping with her clique a few lockers down from mine about how I wouldn’t dare show my face at Piggy’s.

“Ignore her,” Lucia says as she hangs her uniform in her locker. “Make an appearance with me and Jared and make that bitch eat her words.”

I close my locker door and fling my backpack over my shoulder. “I don’t know if I have the patience for her childish behavior right now.” I shrug. “We’ll see.”

I head out the doors and immediately see Hayes sitting alone on the bottom bleacher in the gymnasium. The second he notices me, he stands up.

“Well...” I do a little jump kick. “How’d I do?”

He laughs. “You killed it, Legs. Just like I knew you would. Ya know, I had a hard time imagining you as a cheerleader, but now that I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I don’t think I can picture you not being a cheerleader.”

I stand proudly at that. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

He ruffles my hair playfully. “Just don’t let it get to your head.”

“Duly noted. The same way you don’t let it get to your head that I think you’re somewhat decent at hockey.”

He laughs while reaching over to grab my bag with one hand and slinging it over his shoulder as we exit the gymnasium. “Exactly.”

I can’t help but smile at the small gesture. It’s actually pretty sweet.

Not wasting any time, I ask the million dollar question. “So, what’s on the agenda today?”

“You tell me.”

“I don’t understand. I thought it was your decision.” I lead him to a side door so that we can get past most of the people in the atrium without as much of a rush.

“It is. But you’ve gotten a taste of my life and post-game activities, now I wanna get a taste of yours.”

I look up at him as we make our way to the atrium. “Are you sure about that?” I ask, voice low.

“Hell yeah. Your crew gathers at Piggy’s right? Want to go back to the place I saved your life.”

Rolling my eyes I have to try not to smack him. “You mean outside where you shoved me violently into the building?”

“We can reenact the night. See if there’s anything I’d do differently.” He eyes me the same way he did when I was beneath him on the floor and heat pools in my core.

I laugh. “Sounds like you’ve thought about it. Is there something you would have done differently?”

Hayes pushes open the door to the parking lot, holding it open for me. “Honestly, nothing,” he quips. “I think things are working out just the way they should.”

I look up at him and smile. “I think so, too.”

As I step out of the ride share car, my eyes immediately land on the neon sign above Piggy’s. It’s still too early in the day for it to glow, so it just sits there dark and unlit.

Hayes comes to my side and takes my hand, calming my nerves slightly. I’ve never brought an outsider to Piggy’s. Let alone a hockey player. It’s always been me and Kamden.

“Ready?” he asks.

Mentally preparing myself for the inevitable gossip and stares coming my way, I suck in a breath, filling my lungs. “Let’s do this.”

Even at three o’clock in the afternoon, the bar is jumping. The majority of people are cheerleaders, football players, and assistant coaches, but there’s a few random customers sitting at the bar.

I search haphazardly for Lucia and Jared in hope that they’re at a table we can steal a seat at. The last thing I want to do is stand around and become the center of attention.

A sigh of relief escapes me when I spot them in a booth at the back of the bar. “This way,” I tell Hayes as I take his hand to pull him in their direction.

We’re walking at a leisurely pace when Kamden steps in front of me. His eyes pin to Hayes. “You’ve got some nerve coming on my turf, Madden.”

“Fuck off,” Hayes grumbles as he gives Kamden a light shove.

Kamden slaps Hayes’ hand and seethes. “Don’t fucking touch me.”

I step in front of Hayes as a barrier between the two of them. “Stop it, you guys, please.” I speak softly in hopes of de-escalating the situation. “Can we just co-exist for one night?”

Looking at Kamden now, it’s like a veil has been lifted. Every inch of his gorgeous physique makes my skin crawl. His eyes no longer hold me captive, and I see the despicable person he is behind his charming facade.

“Screw that.” Kamden jabs a finger in the air. “I’ll never coexist with that fucking bum.”

“You’re fucking dead.” Hayes lunges toward him, but I shift my body just in time, keeping him behind me. He stops right where our bodies meet, and I feel a little bit powerful knowing that I can hold back this strong man. I’ve seen him take down guys five times my size with ease, but he is gentle with me and doesn’t push.

“Stop it!” I raise my voice.

Kamden pins me with a scathing glare. “You’ve only got yourself to blame here. All you had to do was keep your legs and your mouth closed. But you spread them far and wide for this dipshit. Then you went public and spread bullshit lies about me.”

“You better watch your fucking mouth when you talk to her.” Hayes gets antsy behind me, shifting from one foot to the other. His body tenses as he tries to get past me, but he’s mindful of my presence and holds himself back.

It sort of pisses me off that not one person has come to help keep these two apart. Then again, they’re all team Kamden. If he and Hayes throw down, I’ve got no doubt the entire football team will jump in to defend him.

As for Lucia and Jared, they’re off in Lala land right now and none the wiser to what’s going on.

Kamden clenches his fist, though he’s looking me dead in the eye. But Hayes puts his hand on my waist from behind me and pulls me closer to him, offering me a sense of security.

“You’ve got until tomorrow afternoon to take that fucking video down,” Kamden seethes.” Do I have to remind you who my fucking father is?”

Hayes’ hot breath hits the back of my neck as he grits out, “do I have to remind you who my fucking father is?”

“Oh I know who he is.” Kamden smirks deviously. “Unfortunately for you, he’s forgotten who you are.”

The next thing I know, Hayes breaks free from behind me and lunges at Kamden. With a fierce grunt, he grabs Kamden by the waist and slams him into a table. Plates of food and filled drinks crash to the floor, shattering glass and splattering liquid all over.

Rolling onto the floor, they continue to wrestle, but Hayes has the upper hand being on top. I watch as his arm cocks back and his fist flies forward, connecting with Kamden’s cheek.

I shriek, slapping a hand over my mouth while people finally step in and attempt to break the two of them apart.

After a very long minute, they’re separated, and Hayes is pulled to his feet unscathed while Kamden is sporting a swollen cheek.

“Keep hiding behind your girl, asshole.” Kamden gnashes as a couple of his teammates hold him back. “She can’t protect you forever. In fact, you might not wanna turn around with this one. She’s quite the backstabber.”

Hayes seizes my hand and pulls me through the gathered crowd and to the door. “Fuck him and this place.”

We don’t stop moving as our feet lead us quickly down the sidewalk. Hayes’ heavy breaths flare his nostrils. Finally, I pull back on his hand, stopping him. “Can we just stop walking a minute, please?”

He looks past me, almost as if he’s too ashamed to look me in the eye. Dragging his thumb across his lip, he wipes up a smear of blood—just like last time these two went at it. “That fucker always goes for the lip.”

I brush off some crumbs on his shirt, looking him over to make sure the glass didn’t cut him. “Other than your lip, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he deadpans. His chest rises and falls at rapid speed and I can see that his adrenaline is still pumping.

We’re silent for a minute, collecting our thoughts before I ask the question weighing heavy on my mind. “How long has this feud between you and Kamden been going on?”

He stares blankly behind me, shaking his head. “I honestly can’t even remember when it started.” His eyes skate to mine and he grabs my hand, stroking my palm with the pad of his thumb. “He’s already ruined enough of our night. I don’t wanna talk about him anymore.”

I nod. “Okay. So let’s do something. Something fun to get our minds off… that .”

The corner of his lip curves upward. “I think I know exactly how to do that. I just need to make a call first.”

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