Page 13 of The Sweetest Revenge

I grabbed her wrist. "They can't find out." My fingers tightened. "Not ever. If that video goes viral, I will lose my scholarship. The whole team could be at risk."

"Too bad he doesn't hate me," Journey said, staring up at him. "He's so fucking hot."

My gaze followed her line of sight, freezing on Zaiden. Zaiden was gorgeous, with dark hair and greyish-blue eyes. He was tall and tanned, with tattoos covering both arms, his neck, and one of his legs. I hadn't seen the tattoos on his leg before because he always wore pants, but today, he wore black shorts and a white Predator T-shirt.

"That's a wrap, ladies!" Coach Palmer's voice carried across the field.

Twenty dancers tensed. No one moved. No one breathed.

"Hit the showers." A pause that stretched too long. "And Laken? My office."

The team's collective exhale was audible, relief from everyone except me.

"What do you think will happen if EJ and the team ever find out about Coach Palmer?" Journey asked.

"I don't know," I sighed. "But how they would react would be the least of my worries."

"Let's go shower and change," Mila smiled. "We are meeting up with the team at Hurricane's."

In the stands, Zaiden rose to his feet, his eyes locked on mine with the kind of intensity that made my skin prickle. His hands disappeared into his pockets, but his message was coming through loud and clear: This isn't over.

I needed an out from the locker room, from Hurricane's tonight, from whatever confrontation he was planning. My phone chimed on the grass beside me, and I nearly lunged for it, desperate for any escape.

Mom: Family dinner at six tonight. Don't be late.

I rolled my eyes because that was the last thing I wanted to do, but it did give me an out for tonight.

"Sorry, guys," I frowned, pushing to my feet. "My mom wants to have a family dinner tonight." My gaze lifted, noticing Zaiden was on his phone. He'd probably gotten the same text.

"Well, you need to tell your mom that you belong to the team during football season."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I'll let her know." I leaned forward, snatching my bag off the ground. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"You're not coming back to change?" Journey narrowed her big brown eyes.

I flicked a glance up to the now empty stadium. Zaiden, without a doubt, would be waiting by the hockey locker room. I shook my head. "No, I'm heading home and changing for dinner tonight."

"Call if you need backup tonight," Mila chuckled as they headed towards the tunnel.

Luckily, my mom and his dad were home. I doubted he would do anything stupid with both of them in the house.

CHAPTER8

ARIELLA

Swerving my car into the drive, I pulled to a stop in front of the three-car garage, noting that Zaiden's bike wasn't parked in its usual location. Grabbing my bag, I bolted for the house, hoping to get in, showered, and dressed before Zaiden ever pulled into the driveway.

Throwing open the front door, I stormed inside, dropping my bag in the doorway and bolting for the stairs.

I shrieked when my mom appeared out of an open doorway.

"Oh good." My mom's lips curved into that particular smile, the one that said she'd won something. "You didn't respond to my message, so I was worried you would purposely miss dinner."

"Nope." The word crawled from my throat. "I'm here. I'm going to get a shower and change."

"Perfect, I left you something on your bed to wear tonight."

I rolled my eyes. "I can dress myself."

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