Page 33 of The Plan

“You’re outnumbered and on our territory. You can’t be that dumb, Griffin,” Cole says but doesn’t step forward again. Given that Liam hasn’t said much to defend him, I don’t think Sire is very outnumbered.

“Let’s even the playing field then.” Sire keeps his eyes on him, but I turn my head at the sound of August's voice and spot him making his way toward us. He nods for me to leave, but I’m not going anywhere.

August stands beside Sire, and Cole looks over at Liam for help, which he doesn’t get. “With the way you’re acting, you may as well transfer to their school.” UC Faye is an HBCU, so I doubt Liam will be transferring anytime soon, but I don't say anything and let the scene play out in front of me.

“You know I’m not cool with messing with girls. When are you going to get that through your head?” Liam crosses his arms and shakes his head like he’s had this conversation with him before, which is pathetic.

“It’s fun.” Cole shrugs and looks over at me, but Sire takes a step to the side, blocking his view of me.

“Go to the car, Vidia.” I don’t make a move to leave, but with Sire’s back to me, he doesn’t know that. “You’re gonna wish you never looked her way.” I watch as Sire’s fist ball at his side, and he takes a step forward, but Liam stops him.

“Your girl’s watching, Griffin,” he says more daringly, like he wants to see if Sire will beat up his teammate in front of me. I wait for something to happen, but nothing does.

I watch as Sire takes in a breath and then turns to the side, just a bit though, so Cole has to squeeze past him, and he does, not daring to push his way past like I did.

“I’ll catch you another time, hot stuff,” he says as he backs away into the school.

I roll my eyes at him. “Shut the fuck up, pussy.” Cole looks at me but keeps walking at whatever look Sire gives him, and August lets out a laugh.

Sire and August stand their ground as they turn to Liam, who only chuckles at them, not a care in the world. “You should keep a closer eye on your girl when she’s on our turf.” He says it like he’s joking and just wants to piss off Sire, and it seems to be working.

“In case you haven't noticed, she can walk on anyone's turf untouched. Rival school or not.”

Liam smirks and looks between Sire and me. “In case you haven’t noticed, that wouldn’t have ended pretty if I wasn’t here. You should be thanking me, Griffin.” His voice is teasing again, and now it’s clear he only wants to mess with Sire. I know ourschools hate each other, but something between them tells me their dislike for each other is personal.

Sire turns his head to the side a bit, and I can’t see his face with his back to me, but I can tell he's smirking at him. “It wouldn’t have been pretty foryourfriend, so as I said, keep your mutts in line.”

Liam rolls his eyes, his playful expression gone. “Leave before I change my mind about not making a show in front of your girl.” What is up with him calling me Sire’s girl? Liam takes a step forward, his patience clearly gone. Sire stays in place, but August takes a step forward instead, and a smirk grows on Liam's face before he slowly turns to August.

“What happened to keeping the playing field leveled, Hale?” Liam refers to what August said when he showed up, and August chuckles in response.

“That was when your sorry excuse of a pitcher was thinking of jumping my brother.” Liam rolls his eyes. “Now it’s either you let Sire beat your ass, or you get jumped.”

They size each other up, and I can’t tell if Liam is putting up a front or if he genuinely doesn’t give a fuck. “You guys never did play by the rules.” My brows furrow at his words.

“When it comes to him, there are no rules,” August says. Liam rolls his eyes and walks back into the school, unfazed as ever.

August turns around first and looks down at me. “You good, V?” I tell him I’m fine, and Sire grabs my hand, dragging me to his car.

He speaks up as soon as his door closes, his foul mood from a second ago still present. “When I say go to the car, I expect you to fucking do so.” Heexpectsme?

“Who do you think you are? Don’t talk to me like I'm a child.”

“A child can follow instructions better than you. Dammit, Vidia. They could’ve done something to you. Cole is known forfucking with girls.” I lean in my seat as I think of the possibilities had Sire not shown up.

“That Cole guy is clearly all talk, and Liam was defending me far before you showed up.” He shakes his head and lets out a breath as he pulls his hat off and runs his fingers through his hair.

“Liam is not to be trusted,” he says more to himself.

“What’s up with you two?” Their beef is clearly personal. He rolls his eyes, and after a few seconds of silence, he pushes the button that starts his car, but I press it again to turn it off. “Seriously, what’s your problem? Because if you’re going to be rude the rest of the drive, I’ll gladly catch a ride with someone else.”

He doesn’t even acknowledge me as he starts his car again. I am not about to deal with him, so I storm out of his car before he can drive off. I hear him getting out as I go in search of Jen’s car, remembering she offered me a drive back to campus.

“Get in the car, Vidia.”

I ignore him as he did to me and text Jen that I’ll take her up on her offer. She replies immediately, and I climb into her car as she pulls up beside me, refusing to deal with his shit.

I throw my head back,drinking another shot. “Omg! I love your outfit, V.” I look down at my pastel blue two-piece and pull my skirt down a bit.

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