Page 75 of Game On

The guys gather their stuff and leave. Sloan won’t even meet my eye. I swallow. I don’t want to think he did this, but how did those Baller Bitches get my panties? Alec tries to catch my eye, but I’m too busy staring Sloan down that I don’t look. Ryan leaves the locker room with his head held high. Hayes lingers. It isn’t until Coach sits next to me that he leaves. After they’ve all gone, I drop my head in my hands. I refuse to cry. Despite what happened, it was a good night. Right?

“You played really well out there.”

I look up at him. Sweat drips from my face and onto my knees. “Did they ruin it for me?”

Coach shrugs. “I doubt a scout is going to give two shits whether you’re bullied or not.” We’re silent for a moment. I’m hoping he’s right, but it sounds like Coach isn’t done with the talk yet. “I do have to ask you though. Is this worth it? I feel like I need to apologize for starting you because of all the shit that happened, but at the same time, Tessa, you were really good. Lake should be thrilled he has someone of your caliber to challenge him and make each other better. I don’t get it.”

I get it. I get it all too much. “They’re the kings of RHS,” I tell him. “They don’t like being taken down a notch.”

“One start,” Coach grumbles, shaking his head. “You had an opportunity.”

Past tense. Ihadan opportunity. I close my eyes again, hoping his choice of words doesn’t mean I won’t get another opportunity. Why would he start me again though? He doesn’t want to have what’s happened tonight happen again. The night imploded. His team is pissed.

We sit there for a good length of time. I’ve re-run everything that happened in my head, the good and the bad, a dozen times. Finally, Coach sighs. “I’ll do the best I can, Tessa, but we can’t have such unrest on the team. I admit, I was a little skeptical about you wanting to play with us, but it didn’t take me long before I realized you belong here. I’ll never deny that just because you’re going against the status quo.” He shakes his head. “Your dad told me I wouldn’t be let down, and he was right. You have a real shot at something. I don’t understand the way people’s minds work sometimes.”

“Neither do I.”

The locker room door opens, and my dad walks in. “Tessa, your mom’s going to take you home.”

I stand. I’m still soaked in sweat, and I have that worn out feeling. I really need a bath and to get some sleep. I’m crashing from the high of getting the start and then the low of having everyone laughing at my panties. Dad touches my shoulder when I walk by him. “You made me proud today.”

“I doubt that.”

He doesn’t let me walk past him. His hand squeezes on my shoulder to stop me. “Anyone who can stand there and take that, is a star.”

I stare up into his eyes. He’s proud of me, that much is certain, but I’m not. “I don’t know if it matters if you don’t feel like one though.”

I grab my bag and push the locker room door open. Sloan is waiting just outside for me. He pushes away from the wall when I come out. I take one look at him and turn away. “Tessa,” he whispers. “I swear I don’t know how they got those.”

I’m glad he knows they were even mine, but at the same time, there’s only one real explanation. It wasn’t him, and I don’t think it’s because he’s invited the Baller Bitches into his house. “Don’t be naive, Sloan,” I tell him. “We know how they got their hands on them.”

“I didn’t do it,” he urges.

Mom’s starting to walk up to us now. Her heels click across the court. When I look up at her, her lips are a thin line. I can tell she’s been crying, but she’s also mad.

“I don’t know,” I hear someone bite out. When I glance toward the sound, I see Ryan talking to his mother on the other side of the gym.

Fucking awkward.

I stop walking, letting my mom come to me so I have time to look at Sloan. His hazel eyes are piercing, and he’s practically humming with intensity. I can tell from the look in his eyes and the way he talks to me that he really didn’t have anything to do with it like I thought. But he also doesn’t get who did it. “Lake did it,” I say, keeping my voice low. “I’m guessing because you guys share everything you told him about the air hockey table. Has he been over to your house recently? Was he ever alone?”

Sloan rubs both hands through his sweat-drenched hair. My mom’s there now, so I just walk away with her. One hand comes over my shoulder and she rubs there. “You are so brave, Tess. So brave.”

I don’t know. Maybe I am. Or maybe I’m just numb. My mom takes me home since my car’s in the shop getting the words Baller Skank buffed and painted over. She’s silent most of the way until I look over to see tears falling down her cheeks unchecked. “Mom…”

She turns away and finally rubs at her face. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.”

“I’m fine, Mom.”

“I just don’t know why anyone would do that to you. To anyone, really, but to you, Quintessa. You’ve tried so hard. I don’t think I want you seeing those boys anymore. Your dad is furious. You should’ve heard him yelling at Ryan Linc.”

I gasp. “What did he say?”

“He wants to know why those things are happening. He asked him if those were your actual pair of underwear. Oh God.” She breaks down again.

I close my eyes.

“Were they, Tess? Are they yours?”

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