Chapter Twenty-Eight
Tyler
As soon as class ends I head to my locker, grab the books I need, and make my way out to my Jeep. Off in the distance I spot Adam and Layla arguing by her car. He keeps reaching for her bag and she keeps squirming to get away from him.
Instant rage blasts through my veins, causing my muscles to flex and my hands to clench into fists. There are at least three hundred people in the parking lot and no one has even made an attempt to help her.
I grip Adam’s shoulder, spin him away from Layla, then slam my fist into his jaw. He spits blood out on the ground and stares at me. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Stay away from her! We’ve already warned you about this,” I growl at him.
He takes a swing at me but I dodge it, grab his hand and twist it behind his back. Adam screams, “Why do you even care? Do you want my woman, Richardson?”
“First of all, I’m not yours,” Layla yells. “Second, it’s not your concern anymore who wants me. But I’m pretty sure he’s the last person who would. Just leave me alone Adam.”
Her words cause me to fumble a little with the task at hand. My grip on Adam loosens enough that he wriggles out of my hold and pushes me back. “We were brothers. That’s what the football team is: it’s a family. You pissed all over that the moment you and your other backstabbing tools got me sidelined. Second string, what a freaking joke. Then you dicks had to pull one better and make up some bullshit story to get me kicked off the team.”
“Wait,” Layla cuts in. “You got him kicked off the team?”
“Coach made the decision. Did I push it along? Maybe. Adam, I don’t give a shit if you’re pissed off at me, Jared, Mark, or even Austin. I don’t give a shit if you’re mad at the whole planet. You did this. The only way you can correct it is by leaving her alone. She’s not property. She’s not someone you can just magically stake a claim in. Can’t you see she’s terrified?”
Layla is trembling by her car. Adam glances at her then over at me. “She’s scared of you. She was just fine before,” Adam snaps.
“Bullshit! I don’t corner women in parking lots.”
“What’s going on over here?” Jared asks from the sidelines.
I turn to Jared. “This one here keeps ignoring what we told him.” I jut a thumb in Adam’s direction. “Before we all become extremely late to practice, I was going to offer Layla here a ride.”
“She has a car,” Adam starts. “It works fine. She doesn’t need your help, Tyler. Just piss off.”
“Layla,” I say.
She nods. “My battery died this morning, Juliet had to give me a jump. I was waiting for her to do it again but she already left. I keep forgetting about her side project for her science class. She gets to bail after sixth period.”
Layla takes a step toward me and Adam blocks her. “No. You aren’t going to keep avoiding me, Layla. We need to talk.”
“There is nothing to talk about, Adam. For the millionth time, just leave me alone.”
“You heard the lady. Go on Adam before I have to hit you again,” I say.
He shoves me and Jared jumps between us before I can take another swing at Adam’s face. “Knock it off. Layla, go with Tyler. Adam, stay put.”
Layla sidles up next to me and we walk off to my Jeep. I open the front passenger door for her and she blushes. “You don’t have to do that kind of stuff,” she whispers.
“What? Open doors or put Adam in his place? Because neither can be helped. I was taught to stand up for the right things and to always open doors for ladies.” I wink at her. “Plus, my mom would totally kick my ass if she ever found out I’d ignored what was going on in the parking lot or didn’t open a door for a girl.” I lean in close because I’m selfish and I want to smell her toasted marshmallow scent. “My mom actually terrifies me.”
I pull back and her face is the color of a Red Delicious apple. Goodness. I never knew I could have such an effect on her.
Once she’s in the seat I shut the door. Jared runs over and hops in the back while I slide into the driver seat. “If we hurry, we might actually make practice on time,” Jared huffs.
“How come you never ride with your dad?” Layla asks.
I use the mirror to judge Jared’s face. His lips are drawn into a hard line. His eyes blaze a bit then he snorts, “Because he’s an asshole.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I guess. He just seems nice in school. Maybe a little stern, but he doesn’t come off as a prick or anything,” she amends.
“Well he is,” Jared says.
“Yep, and Jared doesn’t want to be seen as Coach’s pet,” I joke.
He laughs at my sad attempt at humor. I glance over at Layla and she’s staring at me as if I’ve lost my mind. I smile and return my attention to the road. “Plus, Jared just likes my ride better.”
“Very true,” he confirms with a nod.
“Thanks for the ride and the help with the other thing in the parking lot,” Layla whispers.
I shrug while slowing to a stop at the red light. “It’s no problem. You need to tell Coach that Adam keeps harassing you,” I say.
“He’s right. My dad will take care of it,” Jared says.
“Look, I get it. I just don’t want any more trouble. It’s hard enough listening to what everyone has been saying. It’s even worse knowing that they’re only on his side.”
I grip the steering wheel a little tighter. “Who the hell would be dumb enough to be on his side?”
“All the girls who think he’s the next Abercrombie & Fitch model. I mean, look at my own best friend. I thought she was on my side and she hooked up with him.”
“That’s a poor example because Rachel only hooks up with football players and there are just so many of us on the team. Every dude knows this,” I growl.
“And have you guys hooked up with Rachel?” She asks.
Jared mutters, “That’s never happening.”
“I’m with Jared on that one.”
“Don’t you guys find her attractive?” she asks.
Jared is quick to the punch. “No! There’s only one person I find attractive and it’s definitely not her.”
“Who is it?” she asks.
“That’s classified info and you don’t have clearance,” Jared says.
I throw the vehicle into park and hop out.
“So, what about you? Do you find her attractive?” she asks as she exits and rounds the front of my Jeep.
This feels like a loaded question. If I answer yes will she think I’d actually pull the same stunt as Adam? If I say no would she ask why?
As I’m about to answer her Coach bellows, “Where the hell have you two been? Get in and get changed before I have you running laps all practice!”
“Shit,” I mumble.
Jared and I hustle down to Coach. I don’t expect Layla to follow but suddenly her voice breaks from behind me. I whip around and Coach stares at her then glances between Jared and me. “What’s going on?” he asks.
“It’s my fault they’re late. They came over to help me out because Adam cornered me in the parking lot. I’m sorry,” she says.
Coach Black shakes his head. “That damn kid is really becoming a pain in my ass. Thanks for letting me know. You two get in there and get changed. We’re going to have a team meeting about this right now.”
I glance back at Layla and she smiles. “Thanks again.” She walks off to her own practice.