Chapter 24
Ryker
M y head is throbbing as sweat drips down my face, burning my eyes. The cold fall air does nothing to cool me down as I run up and down the field, trying to end this damn game.
We’ve played Groverland before, and as much as I hate to admit it, they’re a good team. They beat us last game, but we’re not going to make it easy for them today. We’re playing great, and Pat is making some great calls.
Coach looks like he’s about to explode, his wrinkled face is bright red as he fists a clipboard and runs a hand through his grey hair. We’re six to three Ellington right now, and there’s only five minutes left.
As I take a seat on the bench for a shift change, I look into the stands, finding myself looking for the one girl that isn’t cheering for me. It’s easy to spot her, since she’s one of the only fans sitting. “Fan” is a loose term, considering she’s never been to a game, and she hates my guts.
My veins ice over after my eyes focus in on who she’s sitting with. Where are Lainey and Ellie? Why is Ashton fucking Davis sitting next to her with his hand on her thigh?
Did Gwen want him there? Was she okay with him touching her? My glare deepens when I see something flash on her face. She looks scared, and that causes my blood to boil.
Gwen peaks down, presumably questioning why Ashton’s hand is still on her thigh. But otherwise, she’s frozen. Until Lainey and Ellie make their way back to their seats. I watch as Ashton leans down once more, seemingly whispering something into Gwen’s ear. Her face pales as Ashton saunters away with a malevolent smile on his face.
God, did this guy not learn his lesson that last time I knocked him on his ass? The fucker must have a death sentence.
The whistle blows, indicating the end of the game. Ellington won six to three and my teammates are gathered on the middle of the field, screaming and hugging. Coach hooks his arm around Holland’s neck, congratulating him for making the winning goal.
Instead of wanting to celebrate our win with my teammates, my jaw is tight, and my body is on fire. Seeing another man touch Gwen, watching the way her body tensed at his touch, the way fear danced in her eyes. I want to grab the guy by the neck, shove him against a wall, and watch as blood spews from his smug fucking face.
I hurriedly get dressed in the locker room after all the celebration, not bothering to shower right now. I need to find Gwen.
The guys talk about the game and how some guy tackled Ty Manning a bit too hard for absolutely no reason. Honestly, he probably deserved it.
“Dude was out of line,” I hear one of the guys say. Some huff in agreement, while I roll my eyes. Pat, Holland, and Mason meet me at my locker as I shove everything in and slam it shut.
“He’s gonna fucking pay for that,” Manning threatens. This guy thinks he’s a lot tougher than he actually is. Since I can’t help myself, and I’m a dick, I laugh. Ty’s head whips around to me, glaring.
“What’s funny, Steele?” he asks. I shake my head, letting out another guffaw.
“Nothing, just that you think you’ll be able to fight a guy twice your size,” I shrug. Pat, Holland, and Mason chuckle at my sides.
Manning moves closer to me, almost in my face as he grimaces, his face red.
“Do you want to test it?” God, yes. What I wouldn’t give to punch Manning in the face, but I have more important things to worry about right now.
“You know what? Yeah, I’d actually really love to put you on your ass, but I have shit to do,” I say, my face falling into a stern scowl. I get in his face, looking him directly in the eye. “If you so much as get within ten feet of Groverland, I’ll know about it. You won’t be the reason our team goes down.”
Ty backs away slowly, watching my face as he walks back to his spot next to his cronies.
Pat stands straight before pinning Ty with a threatening stare.
“I’ll have your ass kicked off this team faster than you can say Dodgers, got me?” Ty nods slowly. “Good.”
With that, all four of us walk out of the dank locker room and toward the stands. I’m still fuming about seeing Gwen with that prick Davis. My fists clench at my sides as I attempt to tamp down the rage burning inside me.
The stands are still emptying as students and faculty make their way to the parking lot. The clouds in the sky have opened up letting cold rain drops fall and land on my burning skin.
“Dude, you good?” Pat asks, grabbing my arm and stopping me in my tracks. I growl and rip my arm away.
“I’m fine. I just… I have to find Gwen.”
Holland’s eyebrows shoot up in question. “Why? Doesn’t she hate you?” My eyes narrow in his direction.
“I saw her in the stands. That stupid dickhead Ashton Davis had his hands on her. She didn’t want it. I could see it on her face, she was uncomfortable,” I seethe. These guys have always been there for me. They’ve understood all the ups and downs with my father, with Logan, everything. I know they’ll understand this.
Pat nods. “Got it, okay. So, we’re going to kick his ass?”
“Yeah, let’s kick his ass!” Mason chimes in. I shoot him a warning glare and he steps back.
“We will. But first, I need to make sure Gwen’s okay,” I say, looking around the packed parking lot to find the tiny brunette in question.
I don’t understand the feelings I’m having right now. I’ve never been more frustrated and confused. This girl has made me crazy; she’s made me question myself and question the things I do. She’s infuriating and obstinate. She’s tough and she knows what she wants.
I’m weak. I can’t stand up to my own father, I have no idea what I want, and worst of all, I’m jealous over a girl I find absolutely exasperating.
I’m honestly surprised she even came to the game at all. But Ellie wanted to come for Ty, and lord knows that made Holland livid.
According to Ellie, Lainey wanted to come because she couldn’t stand sitting at home doing nothing, so Gwen was dragged along. I’m sure she put up a good fight though. There’s no way they got her here without push back.
From what I could see from the field, Gwen looked good. Her long hair was pulled back in a braid, her giant coat a bit overkill for the chilly weather, but it’ll come in handy once December comes around.
As the parking lot chaos dwindles down, a pink puffy coat catches my eye, and I automatically know it’s Lainey. I head off in her direction, the guys trailing behind me.
“Where’s Gwen?” I ask, trying not to sound too rattled. She’s not your girlfriend Ryker, remember? She doesn’t even like you. I shake off the annoying thoughts, even though they couldn’t be truer.
Lainey eyes me curiously. “Hello to you too. She’s with Ellie in the bathroom. Why?” she places her tiny hands on her hips.
Lainey is tall, taller than Gwen and Ellie. She must be five ten. She has the look of a supermodel and the attitude of a cat. Sweet when she wants to be but will scratch if provoked.
I don’t answer her. Instead, I stand watching the bathrooms waiting until Gwen appears.
“Hello? I asked you a question,” Lainey pokes my shoulder.
I look down at her, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes narrowed.
“I heard,” I deadpan. Lainey huffs.
“Hey Barkley,” Holland nods in Lainey’s direction. Her glare moves from me to my friend. “Enjoy the game?”
I send Holland a curious look. Why is he making small talk with her?
“Holland,” she nods, her cheeks slightly pinking up. “Yeah, I did. I especially loved the part where the guy from the other team knocked you on your ass,” she smiles snarkily. Wow, I like her.
Hollands hand flies to his chest. “Ouch, Barkley.”
Lainey keeps the smile on her face as she looks at Holland up and down, and then she shrugs.
“Maybe rugby just isn’t for you. You should try something less physical, like golf,” she mocks, and I have to stifle a laugh.
“Funny, coming from someone who’s never played a sport in her life,” Holland taunts.
Just then, Ellie and Gwen walk out of the bathroom and toward our group. Gwen’s eyes find mine instantly, and I wonder what she’s thinking.
“Holland, what are you doing here?” Ellie asks, clearly not happy to see her brother. Holland rolls his eyes. They start to argue about something, but I completely drown them out as I stare down at Gwen, attempting to read the expression on her face.
My eyes fly to her soft lips as her tongue darts out lick them. God, I want to know what that tongue feels like when it’s in my mouth.
Her blue eyes rake over me before she opens her mouth to say something.
“Good game, I guess. I don’t know much about Rugby,” she shrugs casually. My eyebrow raises and a smirk forms on my lips.
“Was that a compliment, Rebel?” Gwen rolls her eyes.
“Barely. Are you ever going to tell me why you call me that?”
“Maybe,” my face falls back into a scowl as I think about Davis touching her. “What did Davis want?” it comes out a bit harsher than I meant it to.
Gwen blinks a few times and her lips part before slamming shut again, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
“Were you watching me?” she asks as she squares her shoulders. I don’t even hesitate.
“Yes.”
“Why do you care?” she challenges. I step an inch closer and for a moment, I forget we’re not alone.
“Just tell me what he wanted,” I demand.
“Me,” Gwen looks down at the ground before looking back into my eyes. My blood runs hot and a rage builds inside me. Her?
Over my dead fucking body.