Page 10 of Unrivaled

“Sure. Of course. Sorry, Pipes.” I touch her shoulder, but she’s still stiff. Still mad at me.

Will she ever not be mad at me?

With another sigh, I straighten and look around for another spot to park myself. Somewhere shielded from my sister’s irritation.

Should I stop coming to these things and give her some space? Fuck. Maybe. But I don’t want to. Jackson and Eli were my friends before they were hers. And it’s partly because of me that she even started coming around at all. After I found out Dani was her roommate, I encouraged Dani to help Piper get out more since all she was doing was isolating herself from the world and working herself to death after what happened in California. I hated seeing my formerly daring, fun-loving sister imprisoning herself in a cell of classes and homework, too afraid of repeating past mistakes to even try again.

What I didn’t count on was her running headlong toward what looked like the same type of bad situation all over again—a douchey guy just wanting to use her for his own douchey games.

In California it was a frat guy taking nonconsensual nudes and posting them online. Here it was the guy who’s had it in for me all year using her to knock me off my game enough to replace me. While it didn’t work—I remained the starting quarterback through the Poppy Bowl—he did manage to worm his way into Piper’s life and apparently her heart no matter what I or anyone else said to try to change her mind.

I do have to give McAdam credit for the way he handled things with Piper’s ex, though. And as far as I know, he and Piper weren’t even together at that point. We bumped into the ex and his frat brothers while we were in California for the Poppy Bowl, and I managed to goad the guy into taking a swing at me. Even though I didn’t start the fight, Coach Reese was still prepared to suspend me from the game for violating the no fighting clause in the team code of conduct, but McAdam took the fall for me instead, much to everyone’s astonishment.

He could’ve had exactly what he wanted—the chance to carry Marycliff University to victory in their first Division I bowl game. But instead he took the suspension, watching his only chance at a bowl game from the sidelines while helping the offensive coaching staff.

Maybe Piper’s right that he’s not such a bad guy after all, and I have to admit our interactions since then have been better even if we’re not what anyone would call friends.

The seats are all taken, so I plant my ass on the floor next to someone’s legs, leaning back against the old brown loveseat.

“Oh, hi,” says a friendly voice behind me, and I crane my neck around to see the girl I don’t really know but have seen around. “You’re Gray, right?” At my nod, she gives me a sunny smile, pushing her wavy light purple hair over her shoulder. “I’ve seen you around a lot, but I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Autumn.”

I take her proffered hand and give her a weird, over the shoulder handshake. She’s pretty, and she gives off some of the same flirty vibes as the groupies that come to the larger football team get togethers. But if she’s here, she’s clearly entwined in the lives of more than one teammate and/or teammate’s girlfriend, which means I’m automatically not interested.

My focus is all on going pro, not on relationships. I’m honestly surprised that McAdam and Hindley have gotten entangled in what appear to be serious relationships so close to the draft, even if I’m glad for Piper that McAdam isn’t as awful as I thought in the beginning.

Still. How’s that going to work when they’re gone?

Not that it’s my problem. But also why I keep myself entanglement free. I’m happy to have a distraction for a night, but not for the long haul. I don’t need anything stealing my focus.

My attention strays to the other girl on the couch with Autumn. Her long blond hair is swept up high on the crown of her head, the tip of her ponytail brushes her shoulders. Pretty pouty lips. Cute little nose. Thin brown eyebrows, darker than I’d expect given the honey-blond color of her hair, arch over her blue eyes.

Holy shit. It’s that chick I saw with Jackson, the one I hooked up with in high school. She looks hot tonight, all dolled up. Not that she didn’t look hot in her casual clothes, but this is another level.

Interest piqued, I lean in her direction. Maybe I can figure out why she snubbed me all those years ago and see if it has anything to do with the chilly reception she gave me the other day.

“Have you met Tiffany?” Autumn asks, her eyes darting between us. “This is her first time coming to a game night. She’s in drama with Jackson and me, and we’re doing a scene together.”

Tiffany stiffens at being discussed, giving Autumn and me a forced smile before returning her attention to the TV. I glance at the TV as well to see what has her so enthralled. It can be fun to watch someone get through a particularly harrowing part of a game successfully with everyone shouting directions and encouragement. But Jackson’s just starting his turn and is only on the first level. Given that he’s played half a million times at least, this is no problem for him. Maybe she’s never played before?

“We’ve met,” I drawl slowly. Does she remember that night? I mean, I should think so, because otherwise, why get all stiff and prickly around me? I know I didn’t leave her hanging then—I relived that night in detail for a long time—so it can’t be that I sucked in bed. But why?

“Enjoying the game?” I ask her, trying to be friendly and see if I can get some kind of in.

She purses her lips and jerks her chin down in a perfunctory nod.

Ooookay.

“Did I do something to upset you?” I ask, because if everything I say is going to piss her off, I might as well see if I can figure out why.

She freezes, her eyes darting to me and back to the screen. Then her lips purse, and she nods. “Yes, actually. You did.”

My eyebrows jump up my forehead in surprise. I glance at Autumn, but she looks just as mystified as me. Refocusing on Tiffany, who’s once again studiously ignoring me, I clear my throat. “Care to fill me in?”

Scoffing, she gives me a glare so full of venom I almost shrink back. But I’m made of sterner stuff than that. I’ve withstood months of my sister’s disdain, after all.

I give her a grin and hold up my hands in surrender, hoping to lighten the mood. “What’s the matter? You still mad about an old high school rivalry? That your school lost its shot at the state championship our senior year? We’re on the same team now.”

At my words, she jumps to her feet. “Yes. That’s exactly it. I’mfuriousabout an old high school rivalry. Bravo. You’ve figured me out.”

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