Chapter 9
CHAPTER
NINE
EMERSON
The next three weeks flew by in a flurry of training and subterfuge. I practiced late at night when Hope was asleep so she wouldn’t catch onto my plan. Thankfully, the odd schedule helped me avoid her and Holden since I became more like my dancepire self than ever before.
During the overlap hours when we were both awake, I would sneak around the house for information and track her whereabouts. I didn’t know why I hadn’t thought about learning her every move before. Staying ahead eliminated surprise run-ins. Disguising myself, I could blend in and actually be in town. I got to enjoy Oak Hills for the first time in years!
Oddly enough, Hope was a creature of habit and did almost the same things every week, with only slight deviations.
Lunch with her sorority sisters.
Coffee with her besties from the dance team.
Training and workouts at the campus center.
Shopping—though she never bought anything .
Nights spent at the college bar where she flirted and danced with several guys, but only occasionally left with one.
She’d even had her friends over for a pool party, which had been tamer than I expected. In all honesty, Hope’s life was boring. I didn’t think she liked most of her friends, despite how she acted around them, and the guys she hung around were either players or so dull that even I fell asleep listening to their conversations.
I’d overheard Kimmy, one of her dance team friends, tease her about holding out for a football player when she needed to focus on a richer guy. But I’d yet to hear any names. It had been the first time I spotted any real emotion on her face, and I knew if I could figure out who he was, I’d have the perfect target.
Holden and I had settled into a mutual understanding of pretending like the other wasn’t there. Though, he wasn’t at the house very often, which helped. There had been a few encounters in our shared bathroom, but he’d seemed to follow the ‘kill with silence’ school of thought, rather than the one his sister did—the school of bitchology.
The biggest shock was how Hope had kept to her word and left me alone. She glared and made snide comments when no one could hear, but after years of constant bullying, her current behavior was tame.
I didn’t trust it, and my plan to ruin her was still in full swing.
Dance team tryouts were tomorrow, so tonight was my last chance to run through my routine. Rose had planned a family dinner tomorrow evening, making it the perfect time to announce I made the team. Picturing Hope’s face at the news was the motivation I needed every time my muscles screamed at me. The joy of getting one over on her filled me with more energy than a Red Bull.
Picking up the dance pom, I wiped my brow and went through my routine one more time. Meghan Trainor’s words rang out as I shook my hips and spun on my feet, with my arms up in a high-V. Bringing them down, I did an aerial cartwheel and slid into the splits. Rolling out of it, I shook my poms and popped back up using my core muscles.
I forced myself to smile and not focus on how red my face was, as I finished the routine with a few more spins, leaps, and hip thrusts. I’d taken one of the Wolfette routines from last year and added my spin on it. It was grittier than most of their dances, but being on a crew for the past two years had given me an edge I wanted to showcase.
The song ended, and I slid against the mirror, an empty feeling heavy in my chest. I’d ignored it all week, hoping the closer I got to the audition, the better I’d feel.
But the truth was, I didn’t enjoy this type of dance anymore. I wasn’t one for pep, and the repetitiveness felt more like work than enjoyment. My style had changed since the first time I’d auditioned for a dance team, and only the need to redeem myself and punish Hope pushed me forward.
Cleaning the room, I gathered my stuff and tucked it into my bag. I took a swig of water, locked the door, and returned the key to its hiding spot. I’d taken three steps when a dark shadow stepped into my path, and I dropped my water bottle, splashing water over me and the intruder. I opened my mouth to scream when a hand clamped down on me. I smelled sandalwood and sage before I spotted him, my body relaxing immediately at the familiar scent.
“Ssh, you’ll wake the whole house.” His voice hissed at me in the dark, and I narrowed my eyes. His hand stayed on my mouth, so I bit it.
Holden’s eyes widened, and he jumped back, finally removing his hand from my mouth. “What the fuck?”
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t even break the skin. Calm down, Jockstrap.” I crossed my arms, covering my belly to stop myself from touching him again. Apparently, anger made me sassy. Who knew?
Holden narrowed his eyes at my stance, his jaw ticking as he stared at me. We stood there for at least a minute, neither saying anything, but our eyes never left one another.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, I moved past him to the stairs. The realization he’d just seen me come out of my secret room had my heart thumping hard in my chest. Did he see where I put the key? Would he tell Hope? How long did I have?
“Wait!” His hand clamped down on my shoulder, and I froze on the stairs, turning to stare at him. He still towered over me, but the step brought our eyes level. Holden licked his lips, his hand lingering on my arm.
“It’s late, and I don’t feel like defending myself tonight. Can we do this later? Say maybe the day after never? Kay, thanks.” I moved but he kept me in place.
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing.”
“Sure. Then why are you sneaking around in the middle of the night?”
“Not that it’s your business, but I prefer it.” And it was easier to avoid Hope. Not that I said that part.
“Uh-huh. What’s in the bag?”
I pushed it behind me. “Nosey much?” I scoffed. “I don’t remember you becoming the information police.”
“Let’s say I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I’m reconsidering.”
My heart stalled, then took off at lightning speed. He believed me? Over Hope? My throat went dry, and I swallowed, trying to wet it so I didn’t cry.
“Why?”
“Does it matter?” He shrugged. “You say you’re not bullying my sister, so prove it. ”
I gritted my teeth. I knew it was too good to be true. “Yeah, okay. I’ll do just that so you can run back to Hope and give her more ammo. Thanks, but no.”
I turned to climb the stairs, and he stopped me yet again. This time, his hand landed on my hip, and he spun me and pressed me into the wall, his body even closer. I sucked in a breath, hating how much my body reacted to his. His heat scorched my insides, and my pussy throbbed with need. Biting my lip, I barely kept the whimper that wanted to escape in.
“Trust is earned, Wildcat. You gotta have faith in me, and trust I’ll do the same.”
His thumb swiped against my side where my shorts and sports tank revealed skin. I didn’t know if he was doing it on purpose, but it sent shivers through me, melting me to his touch. While I’d been able to use anger earlier to fuel my words, I didn’t seem to have the same luck with his soft intensity. Shoving the bag at him, I separated our bodies to give myself a reprieve from his touch.
“You want me to look?”
I nodded and Holden unzipped the bag, reached in, and his face morphed into confusion as he pulled out a dance pom. “I’m confused.”
“It’s a pompom,” I said slowly.
“Yeah. But why do you have one?”
“Gee. Thanks.” I grabbed it back and shoved it in, taking two steps before he was on me again. This was seriously the longest journey upstairs in history.
“I know what pompoms are, Wildcat. Why do you have them? You’re not trying out for the dance team or something, are you?” He chuckled, apparently thinking me doing just that was hilarious.
“Screw you, Holden. Just because I’m not a stick like Hope doesn’t mean I can’t dance.” I kneed him in the balls and jogged up the rest of the stairs, eager to get back to my bedroom. My heart pounded, and I worried I’d gone too far, preparing for him to follow and repay the favor.
“ Stupid, stupid ,” I muttered, running down the hall. I peeked over my shoulder when I reached my door and pressed in the code. I’d installed a keypad like the one from my apartment, figuring it would be harder for Hope to manipulate.
“Come on.”
The green light beeped, and I slid into my room just as I saw his shadow crest at the end of the hall. Quickly, I ran into the bathroom and locked his side, turning on the shower before I slid to the ground. Tears ran down my face as the adrenaline crashed through me. I shouldn’t have done that, but hearing him laugh at me reminded me too much of Hope, and I couldn’t take it anymore.
A fist banged on the door, and I screamed. “Ah! I’m sorry. Don’t hurt me!”
“What?” He paused. “Emerson, let me in.”
“No!”
His fist banged against the door, softer this time, and I could almost picture him leaning against it. I heard his inhale of breath, ruining the illusion that he couldn’t hear me with the water running. Just great. How many times have I had a little me time in the shower? My cheeks heated, and I stood, moving closer to my door.
“Listen, I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you. The dance team at Hayward is dumb. It’s a bunch of girls who want to shake their asses and go home with football players.”
“Your sister’s on the team…”
“Believe me, I know.” He sighed, and I bit my lip. He sounded sincere. “You could out-dance any of those girls any day of the week, Wildcat. You’re a fantastic dancer.”
The praise warmed my chest, and I placed my hand on the doorknob. Maybe he wasn’t as much of a dick as I thought.
“If you go out for the team, Hope will see it as an act of war. Don’t do this. If you’re telling the truth about not bullying my sister, then leave it alone, Emerson.”
I jerked my hand back like I’d been burned and my heart squeezed tight in my chest. Of course, his trust in me had conditions. He only wanted me out of Hope’s way. He didn’t actually believe me.
God, I was so dumb.
“Not happening, Jockstrap. And if you tell her, that knee to the balls will feel like a tickle!”
“Fucking Hell, Emerson! Just leave it alone!”
“No can do! Next time you see me, I’ll be a Wolfette. Mark my words, Adler!”
He mumbled something that sounded like ‘infuriating gorgeous woman,’ but I couldn’t be sure.
“Then hurry up. You’re not the only one who needs the shower. And clean up all your stuff. I know you’re used to someone picking up after you, but I’m tired of staring at bras.”
Anger rose, and I clenched my fists as I shook with rage. He didn’t want to see my bras? Well, too bad! He was getting my bras, panties, and anything else I could find. His sister had already taken over my bedroom; I’d be damned if I’d let him steal this bathroom from me, too.
“Game. Fucking. On. Holden!”
After a long shower, where I let the hot run until it was cold, I decorated the bathroom in my sexiest panties and bras before kissing the mirror and leaving Holden a message.
“Enjoy the lingerie. It’s all you’ll get to see of mine ever again, Jockstrap.”
It was quiet on his side when I unlocked the door and slipped into my room. I plugged my phone in to charge and spotted a new message from Colter. We hadn’t gotten together yet, but we’d been texting back and forth every couple of days. Neither of us had been available between my training and his work schedule. Plus, my mind had been preoccupied with my revenge on Hope. Still, taking things slow and getting to know each other felt nice. It helped ease the worry his attraction was all a prank.
Magic 8-ball: Today at work, I had to escort a couple using the stacks to get frisky out. How was your day?
Emerson: Nothing that exciting. I kneed my step-brother in the nuts.
Magic 8-ball: Ouch. My balls are weeping in sympathy.
Magic 8-ball: Did he deserve it?
Emerson: Definitely.
Emerson: Are you ready for classes to start on Monday?
Magic 8-ball: Yes and No. Senior year is weird.
Emerson: I bet. Did your roommate move in yet?
Magic 8-ball: Not yet. Hopefully, this weekend.
Magic 8-ball: Did you find out what dorm you’re in?
Emerson: Nope. I’ll be on campus tomorrow. I’ll stop by and ask.
Magic 8-ball: Good to know I need to wear protective gear tomorrow. Mer’s gonna be on campus. No chests are safe!
Emerson: Haha. But yes. Beware!
Magic 8-ball: Night, Mer.
Emerson: Night, Col.
Sighing into my pillow, I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of seeing Colter tomorrow and Hope’s face when I made the dance team.