Page 101 of Catch
I don’t believe Renner, but a niggling doubt at the back of my mind flares to life. After all, Ethan and I have made no promises to each other. He’s free to do whatever and whoever he wants. Then I remember that Ethan insisted we be exclusive. He wouldn’t lie about that, and if he’d changed his mind, he’d have said something. He’s not shy.
“What Ethan and I are is none of your business,” I hiss.
Why can’t Renner leave me alone?
“If you don’t believe me, ask Hailey. She screwed him this week. Her and Willow. Ethan likes threesomes, or didn’t you know?” Renner laughs. “You’re an experiment to him. He’s not actually going to come out for you. He’s a hockey player for fuck’s sake. All the queers in that sport are in the closet.”
“Not here at Sutton. Things are changing.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Is that all? Are you done now?” I scoff. “Go mess with someone else’s head.”
Renner snatches my forearm and grips it so tight that it hurts. I try to pull away, but he won’t let up, and I can’t risk hurting myself. Not when I have races to win this week.
“Ren, I swear to God, if you don’t let go in the next five seconds, I’ll fucking scream my head off.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I said let go of me!” I roar.
Even though the crowd is thin because of intermission, those who remain in their seats turn to stare at us. Renner finally drops his hand and stands up. I rub my arm, hoping he didn’t leave a bruise.
“You’ll come crawling back to me when Ethan humiliates you.”
“I’d rather sit in a vat of snakes.”
“I’m right. You know I’m right,” Renner hisses. “Ethan’s not into guys or monogamy. He’s using you and you’re making a fucking fool of yourself.”
“The only fool here is you.”
“Renner, what the fuck are you doing here?”
I finally breathe a sigh of relief when I hear Hudson’s voice. My friends stand at the end of the row, their arms full of chips, chocolate, and soda. They’re both glaring daggers at Renner.
“Renner was leaving,” I reply, my voice surprisingly calm.
“This isnotover, Jett. Do you hear me? It’s not over,” Renner adds before pushing past my friends.
“Are you okay?” Hudson asks as he and Archie take their seats.
I’m shaking, but I’m fine. I will be, if I never have to talk to Renner again.
“He was running his mouth. It’s alright.”
“He followed you here.” Archie shakes his head. “It’s not fine.”
“It’s a school event, I can’t stop him. He told me he was sitting three rows back until intermission. I never even noticed until you guys left and he ambushed me. I should’ve been paying attention.”
“We saw him grab you,” Hudson states. “That crosses a line.”
I push my shirt sleeve up and stare at the red marks on my forearm.
“If this keeps up, contact the school’s HR and go a step further and get a restraining order,” Hudson offers.
That’s Hudson’s law school training kicking in.
“I don’t think I need to go that far.”
