Page 35 of Burned By Sin
On our team, Max and Lennox are waving their arms for a pass we all know Wavershit won’t give. Instead, he eyes the basket and braces for a shot from the arc despite the line of players in front of him. As expected, they all jump the same time he does, and I lose sight of Rhys in the commotion. Suddenly, the ball bounces under Dazza’s legs and flies straight into my hands. I don’t hesitate, leaping to dunk the ball through the net as the claxon sounds.
Looking back, everyone is clasping hands and praising each other for a good game. Wavershit is nowhere to be seen, and I’m left replaying what just happened. Did he fake a shot in favor of passing to me? That can’t be right. Forcing my feet to move forwards, I join the team, pushing myself to make a real go of making friends this time round. There’s a beat of awkwardness, me standing on the outside of their camaraderie until several hands pat my shoulders and back.
The sophomores and Coach join us, pointing out areas which needimprovement before we can take on another school. Instinctively, I radiate toward Huxley, who clasps my hand and pulls me into half a hug to speak low in my ear.
“It’s good to have you back.” Even after he’s released me, I don’t move away from beside him. I know he’s not Jeremy. Hell I barely know the guy, but his blonde wavy hair, calm demeanor and silent confidence briefly soothe the grief I’ve struggled with for years. More than that, there’s a haunted edge to his brown eyes I know all too well.
The students in the bleachers head out to continue the rest of their afternoons as Coach dismisses us. Most of the team hang around to chat, the adrenaline still coursing through our veins. Huxley ruffles a hand through my hair before leaving, sending me into a flashback that makes my heart squeeze until Garrett slaps my ass and knocks me back out of it.
“Good hustle, Bro!” he hollers. I shake my head, regaining the conversations happening around me. I don’t really fit into any of them, so I loiter, half invested in each one until a high-pitched squeal sounds from across the court. Klara storms out with the cheer squad at her back, and that’s when I see him. Rhys is cupping Harper’s face, his mouth attached to hers. They’re sitting so close, she’s almost in his lap and a round of low laughter trickles through the players. My name is muttered in the same sentence as blue balls and short leashes.
I angle my head down and shift my feet, waiting for Rhys to release Harper without making a scene. Adding fuel to the flames won’t do any good, and it’ll make me look petty.
I’ve had plenty of time to think about the circumstances I’ve found myself back in whilst lying in bed at night. Sometimes I don’t even sleep, I just lie still contemplating my feelings on everything I’ve seen and heard.
Especially since the morning I went to collect Harper from her dorm, only to be told she hadn’t stayed there. She snuck back tohishouse after I’d dropped her off. I could have demanded answers then and there, but I’ve taken a back seat. I’m lying in wait. Watching from adistance during every study session we’ve had at Rhys’ this week. He’ll grow bored soon, he’ll royally fuck up, and that’ll be my cue to swoop in. I just have to wait for Harper to get him out of her system.
That’s my plan. I returned to Waversea with a new perception, deciding to do things differently this time. I’m not making choices based on what Jeremy would want, but rather who I want to be. How to live a life I’m proud of and who I want by my side. That’s why I’m not worried about Harper’s phase with Rhys. He’s in it for a good time, whereas I’m in it for the long haul.
Breaking free from the mindless chatter, Richie grows bold, his voice echoing across the court. “Yo, Rhys! Friday night party back at yours, right?” Scott steps forward, pretending to ponder deeply, clearly playing his part in this pre-rehearsed little performance.
“Dude, haven’t you heard? The only parties Rhys throws these days involve books and bores.” He snorts, and laughter ripples through the team. Harper smiles too, though there’s no humor in it. More like the kind of smile to keep her from baring her teeth.
Rhys moves like a bull at the sight of red, rounding the railing in three heavy strides. Harper’s quicker, ducking beneath the same railing to block him and press her hand flat against his chest. This adds to the team’s delight, causing them to howl. A few make kissy faces, smacking their lips in exaggerated taunts. I slowly lick my lips and take a measured step back, foreseeing how this is going to end. Harper turns slowly, each step measured as she closes in on Scott.
“You know,” she purrs, her voice velvet and venom, “weboresprefer the term intellectually superior.” Before anyone can process the words, her fist snaps up into his throat, followed by her knee slamming into his groin. Scott crumples like a puppet whose strings have been cut, gasping soundlessly as he hits the floor. For a heartbeat, there’s a pure, stunned silence before the gym explodes with laughter.
Harper flinches at the noise, not from fear, but because it must’ve jarred her hearing aids. I stroll around the back of her to reach up, brushing my fingers into her hair and pressing the button on herreceivers to mute them. She blinks up at me, confused for half a second, then sighs contentedly. Her green eyes warm, the way they always do when I shield her from harm. She can stand up for herself, as just demonstrated, but she loves being taken care of anyway. I’m coming to learn that everyone craves a little protection once in a while.
A few of the guys rush to help Scott limp off toward the locker room. The others linger like vultures, waiting to see what Harper will do next. If it’s round two they’re after, they will be sorely disappointed. I wind my arms around the fierce little creature in front of me and jerk my chin toward the exit.
“Think we can get some privacy in here?” My voice goes unheard, no one moving a muscle until Wavershit joins in.
“You heard Scum. Get the fuck out.” he bellows, his shoulders and spine rigid. The rest scatter instantly, skittering for the locker room like ants beneath a boot. Rhys stays, predictably, leaning against the railing, although his eyes are downcast. A frown pinches his features but I’m not concentrating on him.
Tugging Harper towards the bench, I slide my hand into Harper’s jacket pocket, finding her phone. A flick of my thumb activates the mic before I rest it on the railing beside us.
“Are you okay?” I ask, lifting her hand to examine her knuckles. Other than being slightly red, there’s no damage done. I can’t resist pulling her hand up to my mouth and pressing a kiss there. Harper hums softly.
“Just another day,” she tries to laugh off. I’m not laughing though.
“He’s big and ugly enough to fight his own battles, you know. You shouldn’t be putting yourself in harm’s way.” Rhys grunts but doesn’t deny it. Harper is a firecracker in her own right, but only for worthy causes.
“I would do the same for you,” she declares. I shouldn’t approve, but I can’t help my small smile from seeping through. “And I would hope that out of respect for me, you two should stand up for each other from now on.”
“Keepdreaming, Babygirl.” A bitter laugh leaks from Wavershit as he pushes off the railing and strolls away, effectively ending the conversation. Harper watches me carefully, hunting for a promise I’m not able to give her. There is zero chance of that happening.
I can’t defend a man who always puts himself before others and doesn’t care who he hurts, as long as he gets his own way.
“Clayton,” Harper breathes, bracing her hands on my thighs. “I think Rhys has some difficulties coming his way soon, and I know you guys don’t see eye to eye, but he really does care for me. In his own way.” She smiles weakly. “I’m not asking for you to wave a flag around with his face on it, but if you hear or see anyone mocking him, can you shut it down? It’ll be safer for the whole academy if you help me with this.”
I feel myself sag, my shoulder becoming heavy. How that weasely shit has managed to get Harper to see the good in him, I will never know. But she is right. In the interest of everyone in a five mile radius, it would be best to keep Rhys’ precious ego intact.
“I suppose I am your loyal protector,” I nod, and Harper flies into my lap to kiss me. Splaying my hand across her back, I keep her there, allowing her warmth to banish the rest of my doubts. It should bother me that Rhys’ mouth was so recently here, but instead, it spurs me on to replace him with my own brand of kiss. To eradicate him from her existence piece by piece.
Rhys is my opposite, my rival, but I plan on using that to my full advantage. I can give her everything Rhys can’t. Patience and understanding. I can see his faults, observe what he does wrong and then do it better. My protective nature is back in full force, but this time it’s not just from physical threats. I’ll protect her heart, even if I’m not the one who will ultimately hold it.
Chapter Twenty Two
