Chapter 32
The only thing on my mind when I return to school on Monday is how excited I am to have access to gymnastics equipment again. I want to feel the bounce of the spring floor, swing on the bars, flip across the four inches of beam, and barrel toward the vault, sending myself flying.
For me, gymnastics is life. It’s in my blood. It’s what makes my heart truly sing.
Then there’s this guy I’ve been setting the sheets on fire with… and the laundry room… and the bathtub… and other assorted locations. He’s been making me really happy lately, too.
I grin and poke him in the side with the eraser end of my pencil. We’re seated at the same table today in our study hall. I’m anxious beyond belief for the bell to ring to end the regular school day.
“Distract me.”
“Hm?” Beau looks up with a smile from the French assignment we’re both currently working on.
“I’m antsy as hell. You don’t suppose Ms. Morgan will let me go to the locker room early, do you?”
“Probably not, seeing as there are other classes in there right now.”
“Crap. That sucks.”
“You’re super cute when you’re all fidgety like this, though. And by the way, it’s only ten more minutes. I think you’ll make it.”
“Hey. What are you talking about over here?” Xander slips into the seat across from me.
Realizing he’s not going to get any more work done right now, Beau sets his pencil down as he says, “Lyla’s anxious to go run herself ragged at practice. She’s like a corked volcano.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. She and Scarlett are the same type. Always pushing. I bet you’ve been down in the gym a lot, just waiting for practice to—” He pauses, gritting his teeth. “Sorry. Should I not have brought that up or…?”
“No, it’s okay. I’m fine. The gym is where I kicked Marshall’s ass, nothing more. I’ve been back down there since it happened. I’m good.”
“Good to hear.” He shoots me a quick smile.
Micah creeps over—which is laughable considering he’s as big as he is—and slides onto the chair next to Xander. Technically, we aren’t supposed to have more than two students per table for study hall, but Ms. Morgan always seems to give up on enforcing that right around the ten-minutes-to-go mark each period.
Micah blows out a breath. Looks around. Dude is acting all kinds of cagey.
I side-eye Beau and he taps the table in front of Micah. “What?”
“I wasn’t sure if I should say something, but I think I’d better.” Micah clears his throat and glances at me.
My stomach drops out. I feel it coming before he even says a word.
“There’s a rumor circulating.” He pauses, and as much as I’m coming to like the big guy, I’m about to leap over the table and throttle him. “I don’t know who started it, but it’s being said that you and Marshall were seen hooking up in the gym as the party started. And you accused him of assaulting you because you were worried about Beau finding out and blowing your chance with him.”
My eyes flutter closed and I feel all the blood slowly drain from my face. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” My muttered curse is louder than I intend… and it gets the attention of tables around us. Whispers across the room increase.
Micah presses his lips together. “I made the mistake of not telling Daphne stuff and it didn’t go well for me, so I thought it was best to put it out in the open for you so you can deal with it however you choose. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you.”
Beside me, Beau shakes his head. “No man, don’t think twice about it. Thanks for having our backs.”
I suck in a breath. “Better to know now than to find out in the middle of practice.” I roll my eyes. “At least I’ll be aware of exactly what my team is gabbing about and can set them straight.”
Xander squints an eye, hesitating as if he’s debating something. “You know, I don’t think this came from Marshall.”
My eyes flick to him. “Why not?”
His jaw tightens and he shakes his head. “Because he was close to pissing himself when Micah, Griff, and I dealt with him outside the party after you two went upstairs. He was pretty unnerved about having our undivided attention.”
I’m about to say something else when the bell rings. With a deep sigh, I blurt, “I’ve got to get to practice. Thanks again for the heads-up.” I ignore the concerned looks on all three faces as I collect my things and take off for the gym.