Page 63 of Worth the Scandal
His eyes lower to me, his grip on my shoulders loosening as he starts to notice people are watching “you are looking at me different before you’ve even heard what I have to say.” He whispers eyeing the fans above us that are just out of ear shot.
“So instead you lied to me, willingly. This whole time?”
He drops his grip on me and his hands curl into fists at his sides. “He had no right to tell you.”
“He had every right,” I snap. “Because you didn’t. Because you still can’t.”
I turn to go, my voice raw. “You want to pretend none of it happened? Fine. But don’t you dare pretend I was something you were protecting. You were protecting yourself. And that’s all you ever do. Typical man in a jersey and boots. Get fucked Asher.”
I turn on my heels and walk away with my head held high. I’ve got a job to do, and now I’ve got no distractions. Right?
“Scarlett, wai—“
Chapter Twenty Six - Asher
Her words are still echoing in my head when the whistle blows.
You were protecting yourself. And that’s all you ever do.
I see red before the kick off even soars through the air.
The crowd is a low hum in my ears, I can hear my heartbeat circulating in my headgear. I peer up through the rough bushy mess of my brows trying to take in some of what this moment means for me, the lights shining down on the field. The weight of the world, the team and now Scarlett sit on my shoulders. I can’t think about Scarlett now I need to focus, this is my chance to shine. I’ve worked too hard to let it slip over the past, over some girl.
But she’s not just some girl. It’s Scarlett.
The moment the ball snaps off the boot of our kicker propelling into the air, I lunge. It’s not about strategy. Not about metres. It’s about pain. I need to hit something, hurt something. And I do.
I run at full speed chasing the kick, the kick is a beauty from Peyton, high ball with length. I’m the second down to the play, I’m taking no prisoners everyone can get fucked. I pour my whole strength and weight into this tackle and it’s slightly higher than they’ll allow,good. My body is numb from the impact, the adrenaline is rushing through my veins, trickling like a wildfire lighting me up from the inside out. The crowd goes absolutelyferal, I can hear screams of appreciation and some undesirable names thrown around from the opposition. Someone’s called me a “Dawson’s Dog” Dawson’s lives for this shit, the mongrel in their players, our reputation doesn’t exceed itself. First hit? Done. Penalty, head high. I don’t care. Who’s fucking next?
The Newcastle Rangers have kicked for touch. They’re about to take a tap and Kieran Pine looks a little like that NBL fucker that’s hot for Scarlett, that’s all the ammo I need to line him up. I’m pulling everything out of the tank for this one. Taps good and he runs, solid as, but I’m a weapon when it comes to this shit. I take off and fly out of the line, he’s barely had a second to register that I’m coming for him when my entire body everything behind it slams into him, and he goes bouncing backward off my shoulder. The ref blows the whistle—yep another penalty. He calls out Caleb off his centre—that fucksticks the captain—and gives him a spray followed by me. I get a lecture like I’m back at school and I’ve spat a paper ball at the teacher or something. I’m breathing heavy, hand on hips sweat dripping after what feels likes substantial time but it’s only the second tackle. I’m told one more and it’s straight to the sin bin. Bet.
I look up at the box to gauge Ted’s reaction.
Coaches are yelling and the trainers are giving us a spray, I block them out. I’m in a tunnel of fury, all aimed at Caleb.
He jogs up beside me after the next tackle, panting. “You need to calm the fuck down, man.”
I snap. “You told her.”
“She deserved to know.”
“You think you’re some fucking saviour, you seedy fuck?”
“Better than being a pussy with secrets.”
“You know I was drugged.”
He freezes. I see it. Just for a split second, something flickers across his face.
“What did you just say?”
I get in his face. “Someone put something in my drink that night. They knew I’d take the keys. Knew I’d drive.”
“You’re out of your mind,” Caleb hisses.
“I didn’t kill her,” I say, dead quiet.
Then I shove him. Hard.
