Chapter 54 #4
“Alright Wexley fans, it’s halftime here at Kingsley Field! Your Wolves are up and if the second half is anything like the first, we’re in for one hell of a finish!” The crowd roars. Horns blare. And from the sound of it, no one’s sitting down.
The Trifecta hits the field in front of the full Legacy squad and it’s pure sex in motion. “Dirrty” by Christina Aguilera blasts through the speakers and the stadium damn near combusts. The bass shakes the bleachers and those girls move like they were born for the spotlight.
Hip rolls. Hair whips. Sweat catching in the lights. The guys launch them into the air. The whole thing is choreographed mayhem—sharp, dangerous, impossible to look away from. They own every inch of turf like it’s a stage built just for them.
And then, God help me, Josh grabs the edge of Callum’s jersey on Bella and rips it clean off. Beneath it? The tiniest Trifecta bikini top I’ve ever seen. Burgundy with black straps that cross low on her back, hugging her like sin itself.
I choke on a laugh, eyes wide. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I mutter under my breath grabbing my phone.
ME: Are you trying to kill me man?
RICO: I knew you’d get a kick out that.
ME: You insane little bastard.
RICO: You loved it and you know it.
The song ends in a blur of lights and adrenaline. The girls start back up the stairs toward the student section—swagger in every step, high-fiving fans and soaking in the moment. Ellie twirls a little flag some kid gave her, Haley’s tossing compliments like candy.
Bella breaks away. She turns and starts walking straight toward us.
“Hell of a show out there, Bells,” Clay says from behind Dad.
“Thanks,” Bella laughs as she sits down on my lap.
“But let’s talk about Cal for a second,” Clay continues, already in football dad mode. “What the hell is he doing out there? Kid’s built like a linebacker and still won’t run the ball.”
She exhales and slides closer, shaking her head.
“Right? The defense keeps giving him these massive holes. It’s like Moses parting the Red Sea and your boy just stands there. Rez nearly laid his ass out that last drive.”
Cade snorts. “You should coach him.”
“We’d be up by like fourteen if I was, Cade.” Bella laughs. “They’re playing scared.”
Clay grumbles. “Damn shame. That last red zone stall made me want to kick my own son’s ass.”
“Maybe he’ll get it together this half. If not, I’m suiting up,” she says, sass returning in full force.
“You’d look hot in pads, baby.”
She rolls her eyes at me, but smiles, finally relaxing as she tucks herself under my arm.
I nudge her gently. “Baby, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
She looks up and I tilt my head toward the man sitting beside me. “This is my dad. Daniel Barinov.”
Her spine straightens just a little, lips parting as she reaches out. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Barinov.”
My dad chuckles, taking her hand with a warm smile. “Please, call me Dan.”
“Okay,” she says, cheeks tinting pink. “Nice to meet you, Dan.”
He grins, eyes flicking over to me for a second before turning back to her. “So… I’ve heard a lot about The Trifecta,” he starts. “But when these two said it was a show?” He lets out a low whistle. “I didn’t believe them. Thought they were just bragging about their girl.”
I glance at Cade, who hides a grin behind his cup.
“But then you came out there, struttin’ across that field like you owned the damn place, commanding the crowd, making them feel something? That wasn’t just dancing. That was performance, it was pure power.”
“Wow. Thank you. That… that means a lot.”
“It should. I’ve seen a lot of things, but it’s rare to see someone move people like the way you girls do.”
“She does it to me every day,” I say casually, brushing my thumb along her waist. “Drives me absolutely insane.”
She laughs, swatting at my arm and I catch her hand just to kiss the back of it.
“Excuse me?” A woman stands there nervously, holding the hand of a little girl, probably five or six, in a glittery Trifecta jersey and a huge burgundy bow. The girl is gripping a sign with sparkly letters that say BELLA BLACKWOOD IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL!
“Would it be possible to get you to sign her poster?”
Bella’s whole face lights up. She turns fully, crouching down so she’s at eye level with the little girl. “Hey there, sweetheart. What’s your name?”
“Sophie,” the girl says shyly.
“Well, Sophie,” Bella says, taking the Sharpie from Sophie’s mom. “This might be the coolest sign I’ve ever seen.”
She signs it, adds a little heart, and then gently tugs the edge of Sophie’s bow. “I think you’re gonna be better than me one day,” she whispers.
Sophie beams and waves back to us as her mom walks her back to their seats.
Two short beeps cut through the noise. Walkie’s on.
“Bella,” Knox’s voice crackles in our ears. “You about ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready. Where do you want me?”
“Just stay there with Lex. That’ll actually work perfect, if Lex behaves.”
“I always behave, Bestie”
Knox laughs, “Alright everyone, lets get ready. It’s time to fly.”
One Beep. Earpieces off.
“What was that about?” Cade asks, leaning in.
Bella’s eyes flick toward the field, then back to us, that little smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I guess it’s time for us girls to fly.”
Before either of us can ask what the hell that means, Ellie and Haley come running over from the other side of the bleachers, glowing with post-performance adrenaline.
“Ready, bitches?” Ellie says with a wicked grin.
Over the loudspeakers, Hugh pipes up again. “That was one hell of a performance, girls.”
Haley looks up toward the booth. “Thank you, Hughy!” She pauses and glances toward Bella who’s firmly planted on my lap. “Um… Bella… what are you doing?”
Bella doesn’t even look at her. She just keeps staring at me, smiling into my eyes. “Sitting with my man. Taking a little break. What does it look like, Hales?”
Ellie folds her arms and leans in dramatically. “Well, I’ve got bad news.”
Bella quirks an eyebrow. “What kind of news, El?”
“Nope.” Ellie shakes her head and jerks her thumb at Haley. “Hales, you tell her. He’s your boytoy.”
“Ugh, Knox wants us to fly,” Haley grimaces.
Bella freezes. Then slowly stands and looks between them. “Yeah, no. Not happening. Do you remember the last time? That did not…” she cuts the words dramatically, spinning toward the crowd with a hand to her chest. “…did not end well.”
Laughter ripples across the stands.
“Well,” Haley says, “he said we have to.”
Bella tosses her hands up. “And who exactly died and made Mr. DJ the boss of us?”
Hugh’s voice cuts in over the mic, perfectly timed, “I don’t know, Bella I think you should give it a try.”
She gasps like he just committed treason. “Stay out of it, Hughy! These feet?” She points down at her black Nikes. “Stay. On. The. Ground.”
Right on cue, the student section starts chanting: “FLY! FLY! FLY! FLY!”
Bella rolls her eyes and groans. “Ugh, fine. But if I die, I’m haunting all of you.”
She starts walking toward the field, calling back over her shoulder, “I swear to God, if Josh drops me and I have to miss Regionals because I’m in a neck brace, I’m gonna send Lex to kick his ass.”
The crowd explodes with laughter.
“Did she just say my name over the fucking speakers?”
Cade snorts beside me. “Yup.”
Bella turns toward Ellie first. “Alright, El, you’re up.”
Ellie flashes a confident grin, then sprints toward Sam. He launches her like a missile. She spins in the air, legs tucked, arms perfectly aligned, and then lands gracefully in his arms, hair whipping around her as she sticks the pose.
Bella claps, cheering. “Wooo! Okay, girl, look at you with that triple back-spin-tuck-swan-dive or whatever the hell that was! Nice job! Everyone give it up for Ellie Whitmore!”
The crowd roars.
“Alright, Hales. Show ‘em how it’s done.”
Haley takes off and Drake launches her so high it’s like gravity’s optional. She flips midair and lands in his arms with a wink that’s pure hellfire. Front row loses their minds. Can’t blame them.
Bella whistles. “Damn, okay. Little aerial queen over here. Give it up for Haley Rosethorne!”
Then she turns to the crowd with that trademark look. “There ya go, Knox. We flew. Goodnight.” She turns on her heel and starts walking away.
Knox’s voice crackles over the stadium speakers. “Um… Problem Child, aren’t you forgetting something?”
Bella doesn’t even look back. “Nope. You said fly. We flew. End of story.”
I grin, arms crossed. “She’s such a pain in the ass.”
Dad nudges me with his elbow. “Yeah, but she’s your pain in the ass.”
Knox sighs dramatically over the mic. “I meant all of you. That includes you, Bella.”
Bella spins around mid-step, eyes wide. “Ugh!” She storms back over to the guys, stomping like a bratty toddler. She pauses just in front of Josh and the guys, glaring up at them. “If you drop me, I swear to God, I will end you.”
Then she hesitates, half-turning to glance back at the stands. “Do I really have to?” she says to no one in particular, voice pitched for drama.
Ellie and Haley laugh, in perfect unison, “Just do it, Bella!”
Bella rolls her eyes, then mimics them in the most exaggerated, mocking tone. “Just do it, Bella. Just be brave, Bella. Just leap through the sky, Bel—”
Before she can finish, Josh nods to the others, and they launch her. She flies. I mean, flies. Spins at least three times midair, legs tucked, arms out, hair trailing behind her like a firework. I don’t even know what the hell the move is called.
I feel Cade stiffen beside me and hear him whisper, “Holy shit.”
They catch her clean and she bounces upright like she’s on springs.
“Oooh, good job boys,” she calls out with a grin, brushing invisible dust off her shorts. “Would’ve hated for my boyfriends to have to bury you for breaking my spine.”
“Give it up for Bella Blackwood!” Ellie screams to the crowd.
???
Fourth quarter. 30 seconds left. Wolves are down by a field goal.
The student section’s losing their minds. Bella, Ellie, and Haley are posted up in front of them, leading chants with the rest of The Legacy. Bella’s got her pom on one hip, other hand cupped to her mouth as she screams encouragement like she’s the one calling the plays.
Her phone buzzes in my pocket.
I glance at the scoreboard, 20 seconds.
Handoff to Cal.
I pull the phone out. It’s a message from a name I’d sell my soul to Satan himself just to erase.
@LucaWasHere
Nice flying, Izzy. You really soared.
Uncle Jack cheered like he’s been restored.
His little Sugar Bear, back in his grip.
All pride and joy on a fucking power trip.
But sugar melts when the flames grow near.
Don’t get too comfy, don’t keep him dear.
Luck runs out and when it does,
You’ll learn who watched, who always was.
“TOUCHDOWN WOLVES!” Hugh yells over the speakers and the crowd erupts.
Cade’s on his feet. Fireworks go off above Kingsley Field. What a fucking game. The fans are screaming. The team’s rushing the field.
But me? I’m staring at the message on Bella’s screen. I pull out my phone to send a quick message to our resident stalker poet.
@BarinovUnhinged
You want to whisper? I’ll roar through blood.
I’ve bled in the Pit, you’ll drown in the mud.
Say Jack’s name again, I’ll carve it in bone.
She’s mine, motherfucker, back the fuck off what I own.