Page 7 of Brutal Days

I narrowed my eyes. She’d answered too quickly. “It will turn out very bad. I’m begging you not to.”

She rolled her eyes, heaved herself off the bed, then took the box from me and tossed it on her desk. “Let’s get some food.”

I pushed out a breath, went back into her bathroom, did what I needed to, and joined her in the hallway. My stomach was trying to eat itself. That was the only reason I let her get away without another lecture about what would happen if she used that dye. And I should know. Mom had told me horror stories about people coming to her to fix something stupid that they had done to their hair at home.

After satisfying my hunger with ribs and antipasti, I went home, promising Gabriella that I would return for dinner. She had mom’s work schedule and always made sure I was at their dinner table when Mom had to work late.

They had bonded like sisters after what had happened with my dad. Gia’s dad was protective of Mom too. They were like the older siblings she’d never had, and she adored them. I did too.

In my empty house, thoughts of everything that’d happened at the party, Gia gushing over Damon, and the way he’d smelled when he’d stepped close to me before I’d told him off circled in my head so much that I did something I never should have. I pulled him up on Insta. I got lost scrolling through his pictures. He was so hot, and it affected me in a way I wasn’t proud of.

I paused on one of him in the Ring, no shirt, and every muscle deliciously defined. He was midpunch. The sheer focus and drive on his chiseled face made me want to reach into the picture and trace the hard angles of his jaw, maybe press a soft kiss to his lips. The contrast to the image I had of him in my mind was intense.

When I moved my thumb to scroll through more, my heart stopped. A red heart appeared on the picture—from me.I did that. I dropped my phone like it was lava. Jumping off the couch, I backed away like it was a bomb. The antipasti threatened to come back up. Freaking out, I paced our small living room.He’s got a shitload of followers. He’s not going to notice one like.He probably has a thousand notifications—nothing to worry about.

I would stick with that story.

CHAPTER SIX

DAMON

#SneakAttack

Hidden Valley Academy Eagle Eye Blog

Potential Upset on the Horizon?

by Sky McCormick

Yesterday’s last preseason practice for Hidden Valley Academy’s undefeated, national championship football team forecasts trouble. All-American receiving tight end Cole Savage was a vital loss to the team, and it appears they are struggling to stem the hemorrhage cause by his move to Thane University. Based on the final preseason practice, one might worry that Damon Savage can’t follow in his older brother’s footsteps.

HVA’s quarterback, Phoenix Bennett, thrives under pressure and exceeds expectations with one accurate throw after another during yesterday’s scrimmage. The connection to running back Shane Bennett promises points on the board as he blows through tackles and runs each catch into the end zone. Second-string tight end, Brennan Montgomery, warms up to his new starting position with solid tackles and two caught passes resulting in a gain of twenty-plus yards. It was when Phoenix tried to connect with running back Damon Savage that fumbles and lost yards occurred.

No comment from Damon Savage—or words this reporter can share.

Head Coach Tim Harris said, “We’re missing one of our best players. His absence will be an adjustment.”

When questioned about Damon, Harris said, “Cole’s absence affects Damon and the rest of the team. Everyone has an off day, and the few botched plays today were no exception. But Damon’s, Phoenix’s, and Shane’s sheer talent on the field will carry us through any adjustments we need to make. I expect great things from the team this year.”

Time will tell if HVA’s acclaimed football team will go on to repeat another undefeated year or suffer the first upsets the academy has seen in four years.

With an aggressive swipe, I closed the school’s blog off my phone’s screen. I had warned Sky at practice the other day that if she printed anything about me, she would pay for it. And I would keep my promise.

Today was a joke. Half days always were. Why the school thought it would be a good idea for the first day testified to the teachers wanting to be back as little as the students. It was second hour, and when Sky walked in and sat on the left side of the room next to some girl, I couldn’t believe my luck.

All I had to do was wait for the bell to ring. She shifted in her seat but didn’t turn around.That’s right. You’re in my sights.She probably sensed I’d zeroed in on her and the urge to run itched over her skin in an overwhelming fight-or-flight response.

Our teacher droned on about whatever the syllabus already listed for the first semester. Sunlight streamed through the windows on Sky’s side of the room. I sat in the back next to Brad, who was on the team with me and seemed just as bored with the lecture as I felt, with his head forward, arms folded on his chest, and eyes closed.

A glance at the clock showed we had five more minutes of nothing before class ended. Neither Brad nor I had brought anything, and the black tabletop remained empty as his quiet snores rumbled beside me.

Seconds ticked by like a stopwatch before the signal gun fired for a sprint. I was up and closing in on Sky as soon as the bell rang. I let her get out the door and into the hall before I wrapped my hand around her arm and pulled her aside, pushing her back against the lockers as I crowded her.

Anger rippled over me, along with my ever-present attraction when she was near. Stormy-blue eyes met mine as she jerked her arm away. I released her but remained in her space.

“That was a foolish move.”

“You’ll have to be more specific.” Sarcasm dripped off her words.

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