Page 24 of The Sweetest Revenge

Sterling shrugged as he shook his head. "I don't know, maybe because they did really bad, and he wants to scold them privately."

"Except all the girls look," I paused as I swiped my tongue along my lips, trying to think of the right word. "like they're praying that their name isn't called, and when it isn't, they look relieved."

"No one wants to be in trouble."

My stomach twisted. "My gut says it's something else." It was no secret that the coach was inappropriate with his dancers, but how far did that go, and was it still a thing between him and Ariella?

"Why don't you ask Ariella?" He smirked. "Oh, you can't because she hates you now." I rolled my eyes. "Ask one of the other girls, maybe Journey or Mila."

"Yeah," I agreed, but I had no intention of asking Journey or Mila, though I probably had a better chance of getting the truth out of them quicker than Ariella. I pushed out of my seat. "I'll see you at the party tonight."

"Seriously, man." Sterling threw his hands up, face flushed with frustration.

I was already walking away.

I made it into the tunnel and was waiting near the football locker room entrance when Ariella finally showed up. She moved toward the open entrance without acknowledging me.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I scowled, stepping in front of the locker room and blocking it.

"Haven't you taken enough of a beating for today?" she smirked. "Get out of my way."

"Not even close." The corner of my lips curved into a grin as my gaze lifted to see Journey standing behind her. "What's up, Journey?"

"Yeah," she frowned, holding her hands up. "I'm not getting involved in whatever this," she waved a finger between Ariella and me, "is." She sidestepped me and disappeared into the locker room.

"Get out of my way, Zaiden," she demanded.

"You know the rules," I reminded her.

"Fuck your rules." Her palms connected with my chest, the shove punctuating her words. "And fuck you too."

I grabbed her wrist—one quick motion—and pulled her against me. The sudden collision forced a small gasp from her lips. The bruise forming on my jaw from her earlier punch throbbed with my heartbeat.

"I already owe you for earlier." I dropped my lips to hers, letting my breath fan across hers as her pulse raced beneath my fingers. "Don't make this worse on yourself, princess."

"The entire football team is in that locker room right now, and if you don't move, I'll scream, and you'll start a war."

My lips curled into a smirk. If she thought I gave a fuck she was sadly mistaken, but lucky for her, this isn't how I wanted this to go down. I threw my hands in the air in a sarcastic surrender as I stepped back.

"You're right, I don't want to start a war." And I didn't. I wanted her to submit to me, and she would before I was through with her. She stepped forward.

"What happens when your coach calls your name at the end of practice?"

Her confident stance faltered. "What?"

I stepped closer, watching her pupils dilate slightly. "At the end of every practice, your dance coach calls a name to meet with in his office." My voice dropped lower. "What happens when you meet with him?"

She shook her head. "I—I don't know."

Chatter from the locker room grew louder as the team headed for the exit. She was lying, but I'd have to get it out of her later.

"See you at the party, princess." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. I strolled away, unhurried, shoulders relaxed.

Now, I was going to stalk her because I needed to get to her before she got to that party tonight.

CHAPTER13

ARIELLA

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