37. Jude
Chapter 37
Jude
I’m standing in the passage leading to the field as the first notes of Cinderhart High’s walk-up song, “Party Up” by DMX, blasts through the stereo system. Cheerleaders rush past us, their black and silver pom-poms glittering under the spotlights as they stream onto the field.
Talia spins around to look at me and yells out, “Rock on, Jude!” before disappearing onto the field.
Sean’s standing in front of me, waiting his turn to step onto the field. He sends me a frown over his shoulder, but I ignore it. Fuck knows what Talia’s on about—she was obviously held back at least a year, so I’m guessing she’s not that smart.
Nothing can shake me tonight. I’m rippling with energy, focused as fuck.
The crowd’s applause washes over me when it’s finally my turn to step out. I don’t look left or right. As much as the raucous noise hypes me up, I don’t need to acknowledge the source. They’ll keep cheering as long as I keep scoring touchdowns.
As we’re lining up for the coin toss, I hear someone scream, “Go, Jude!”
My gaze darts to the side.
I don’t even know which team wins the coin toss, because that’s when I see Harper by the boundary fence separating the bleachers from the field.What the fuck is she doing here? She’s supposed to be grounded . And what is she wearing? It’s not quite a cheerleading outfit, but it’s close enough. A tight silver crop top, a black, pleated tennis skirt. Her hair is even braided like the Darlings. And she’s holding legitimate Cinderhart pom-poms.
As soon as we lock eyes, she grins wide and yells, “Go, Jude!” again at the top of her lungs.My heart gives a solid thump in my chest. Fuck it, I’ll figure out what she’s up to when I’m not?—
But then another voice shouts out. It’s deeper and much more familiar. Someone’s talking to me on the field, but I’m not listening. I’m staring in shock at my father sitting high up in the bleachers. He’s on his feet, his old CH letterman’s jacket on full display. Rosie and Diana are with him, and both are wearing black shirts, Rosie with her hair up in two little buns, glittery things dangling from them.
“Dude, we’re receiving,” Sean calls out, ripping my gaze away from my family. “What the fuck are you doing?”
I trot away, blinking hard. What made Dad change his mind? I asked him earlier this week if he’d be at the game, and I got the usual “no”. I wasn’t expecting him. Any of them.
“Go, Jude!”
I force the sound of Harper’s voice out of my head. That more than anything has me fucking perplexed. Is this her way of currying favor with our parents so she can get a few weeks knocked off her sentence? It has to be—she’d never willingly come to a game...would she?
“Jude!” Sean yells. “What the fuck?”
I’m in the wrong position. I shake my head and trot over to where he’s pointing while Coach glares at me from the sidelines.Focus, Jude. Don’t let your stepsister throw you off your game. Maybe that’s her fucking plan. Distract me so I’ll fuck up.
Sorry, Harper.
If there’s one thing you can’t fuck up, it’s this.