CODY
A boiling pressure usually only reserved for wrestling matches knocked inside my stomach. He touched her, often, and each time with more familiarity.
Blake and I crossed gazes, and that cocky grin appeared on his face. Like he knew how I felt, but didn’t see me as a contender. And that was good. He couldn’t prepare for a battle he didn’t know was coming.
The bell rang and Blake grabbed Skylar’s bag. She hesitated, and it was all the hope I needed. Maybe she could see it—the corruption and the lies. I wanted to end the pretense right then, but it wasn’t the time yet. I had to be smart and cunning, just like the guy at her side.
I focused on the pain across my pecs from the two hundred pushups Matt made me do in the gym and stood to leave.
Chugger slammed his books on the table, his eyes pierced mine. “Meet us out back before lunch. You know where.”
“Fine.”
Blake had shown me the hidden cove two weeks after we won against Clearview High our junior year. The entire team was there except the freshmen, each with a Dixie cup of vodka. I remembered feeling special, like I was a part of something grand. I sucked down the shot without blinking, and that was the start of my acceptance.
I didn’t know at the time that shot meant giving up my soul.
Life Skills didn’t require books, so I skipped watching Blake fawn over Skylar at her locker. I had to find a way to be alone with her. To gauge if she was everything my mind imagined or if the draw was deeper. Her father. The music.
A loud crash forced my head to whip around. Lindsay stood frozen in the hallway, her books and pens scattered in a halo around her.
“Oops, sorry,” the girl said sweetly, coughing the word ‘slut’ at the end of her fake apology. Her giggle as she stepped over the papers and books was enough to make my ears burn.
Lindsay began picking up her stuff, but a few passing students kicked them out of her reach.
I grabbed the shirt of the guy who’d just sent her algebra book sailing. “Go back and pick it up.”
His eyes widened in fear. “Okay, Cody, I was just kidding around.”
“Well, it’s not funny.” I released his shirt with a murderous glare, shoving him toward the book. I knelt next to Lindsay as she gathered the scattered materials. No one else messed with her. Instead, they made their way down the hall with haughty glances, sidestepping the mess. Students’ loud voices became judgmental whispers as Lindsay and I worked to gather her supplies.
“This is Blake’s doing,” she whispered while blinking back tears. “He called four times yesterday, and I didn’t pick up the phone.”
This girl had a bad habit of giving me information I didn’t want. Information that made holding my tongue nearly impossible. I looked at the cold linoleum under my knees and pulled us both upright. The warning bell rang seconds ago and staying here with Lindsay would get me more than just a tardy slip.
“You good?” I felt guilty for not offering more.
She steadied her shoulders, a pretense of confidence that didn’t match the pale, gloomy shadow across her face. “I’ll be fine. Thanks. You keep coming to my rescue.” She looked up and her eyes were like shards of sapphires: crystal clear but tormented in an alarming way. They held more secrets I didn’t want to know.
*
Blake and Chugger waited for me at my locker before lunch, a clear sign they didn’t trust I’d show on my own. I’d crossed Blake, and now it was time to take the punishment. Like Lindsay.
“Let’s go.” Blake’s voice was a harsh, low, grinding buzz against my skin.
I followed, like the well-trained dog I wanted him to believe I still was.
We continued past the old theater, the grass and shrubs manicured to Madison’s pristine expectations, and rounded the corner to the most secluded part of the building. The part with loud air conditioning units and two large dumpsters. The place hidden in the shadows, so no one could see its ugliness. Or the ugliness that happened here on a regular basis.
Blake cracked his knuckles and stretched his neck. I wondered if this was going to be his version of a woodshed beating until he locked his arms tightly across his chest.
“Obviously, we need to establish ground rules when it comes to Lindsay.”
I didn’t say a word, which seemed perfectly fine to him.
“I don’t want you talking to her or defending her.” His eyes locked on mine. “Or giving her rides home. You understand?”
My hands itched, my nerves burned along my arms. “I understand.”
“Chugger says you thought you were doing me a favor. Explain.”
I wanted to punch that smirk off his face. I didn’t. “I was just thinking of how all of that would look to Skylar. You yelling and carrying on about your ex-girlfriend.” Even then, the word “ex” made his jaw clench. “I had your back, man.” I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not, but I kept my face steady, a mask of respect.
Blake stepped closer and spoke through his teeth. “What did she say about me when you took her home?”
“Nothing. We didn’t talk.”
Blake kept his eyes locked on mine. There was no trust in them. “It’s time for you to pick a side, Cody. You’re either in the circle or you’re out. Something’s up with you this year, and I’m done putting up with your hormo—.”
I cut him off. “I’m in.” Until I take you down.
Blake glanced at Chugger and curved his lips into a victorious grin. “Then you won’t mind proving it.”
Every inch of my skin went taunt. “What do you want me to do?”
“I’ll let you know when the time is right.”
I pushed out the suffocating wind and tried not to recoil from Blake’s friendly slap. I’d play his little game and document every word from his lying, wicked mouth.