Page 21 of Free Fall

“Reid. And Cade. And Sasha for that matter. They’re—we’re—not going to leave you alone. And because of that, Sasha’s going to hate you.”

“Oh really? I hadn’t figured that out yet,” I deadpan. I think the gravy clearly spelled that out for me.

“If she touches you again, you come to me.”

“And you’re going to do what?” I ask. “Reid isn’t going to let you touch his girl. Besides, he’ll probably help her drop acid on me next time.”

Even though Lex just played a full two halves of football, he doesn’t seem the least bit tired. He says, “You did kind of ask for it. You ruined the dress. You put all that makeup on.”

I stop just outside the locker room door and look up at him. “Can I just ask why you three think you have anything to say about what I wear? It’s utterly ridiculous.”

“So is dressing as someone you’re not.”

With that, he drags me into the locker room. I have to shield my eyes immediately because there’s cock and bare ass everywhere. I’m talking hard, sinewy ass muscles that make me want to peek through my fingers, but Lex pulls me to the corner of the room as fast as he can as the players laugh at my reaction. My cheeks heat. Fire radiates over my skin. When Lex tries to let me go, I hold onto him. I peek up through my lashes and he must understand the look in my eyes before I do because he just shakes his head and walks away from me.

I don’t know what girl wouldn’t have been turned on by the free show I just got. Next time, I shouldn’t shield my eyes. They wanted me here, they got me. That should mean I can ogle all I damn want. From the sounds of it, the guys wouldn’t mind.

I listen while Coach gives them the end-of-game speech, which basically consists of telling the team they should continue to do what they’re doing. I have no doubt they’re on the road to another winning season. They’ll be conference champs again. They’ll even go to State championships, hopefully bringing back the trophy for Spring Hill at the end. It’s hard not to get caught up in it. For years, I sat by my brother at the dining room table and listened to it all. Listened to his every dream and wish, so even though he’s not here, I want it for them. I want it for them because some of these guys probably have sisters they’re sitting next to every night who hang on their every word, who want nothing but the best for them. And I want that little sister to have the satisfaction that their sibling did something. That they made it. Seeing dreams get accomplished can lead to a landslide of victories. One topples, then the next, and the next.

If my brother didn’t succeed at football, I probably wouldn’t have even tried for Valedictorian.

Once Coach leaves, the door opens and there are catcalls abound. I lean over the row of lockers and see Sasha sashaying in dressed in her cheerleading uniform. I roll my eyes and look away. From the sounds of it, this is a regular occurrence. I’m sure Reid loves the fact that Sasha waltzes right in with other guys half naked all around. To punctuate the point, Sasha coos, “Wrap up whatever you don’t want seen, boys.”

The guys all make inappropriate jokes at her, which I’m sure she lives for, until Reid clears his throat.

“You didn’t kiss me after your win,” I hear her saying.

Reid doesn’t answer.

“Am I riding with you to your house? Or should I ride with Chelle?”

“Chelle,” he finally says, but even from here and not being able to see his face, I can tell he’s curt. His words are punctuated and to the point.

Her voice softens, and even though it’s as if she’s trying to whisper what she says next, I also think she’s just looking for attention. “I’m hoping we get some alone time later.”

Again, nothing from Reid for a while until he says, “You need to replace Briar’s outfit. The one you ruined today.”

“What?” she scoffs. “No.”

My ears perk up. I was already listening to what they were saying, but this suddenly got a lot more interesting.

“You heard me,” he says.

The locker room quiets. Who knew a room full of boys could get so quiet? I thought testosterone basically prohibited that.

“What are you talking about?” Sasha whispers.

I smile at that. Suddenly, she’s not that big of a fan of having an audience.

“I said,” Reid replies, agitation lacing his voice. “Replace Briar’s fucking outfit. The one you dumped gravy over earlier is ruined, and she’s coming to the fucking party tonight and needs something to wear.”

“I’m sure she can wear the dirty sweats that are probably all over her floor. They suit her.”

A fist slamming into a locker makes me jump. “Don’t test me, Sasha. Get her a fucking outfit. Tonight.”

She growls in exasperation before I hear her footsteps scurry across the room and to the locker room door. I’m still wide-eyed, wondering what the hell just happened. Why should Reid care that she ruined my outfit? He’s the one who had no trouble perusing me earlier as if I were on display. Also, who said I was going to the fucking after party? I want to go home. I want sleep. I want to text Ezra about meaningless shit before I drift off into the escape of dreaming.

Footsteps come near me. I glance up to find Cade there. “I’m not going to the party,” I immediately say.

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