“Yeah, I can see that.” She glances over her shoulder, and I look in the same direction to see Mandy staring at us, a grumpy-ass look on her face. “She’s all kinds of pissy. What’s that about, anyway? It can’t be the gymnastics. You either have skill or not.”
“Nope.” I tilt my head in Beau’s direction. “It’s jealousy. She thought she had Beau in the bag—or bed, or wherever—but… he and I have hit it off instead.”
Kit’s gaze travels to Beau before she gives me an amused glance. “Yeah. He can’t take his eyes off of you. Hasn’t since he snuck in to watch. Good for you.”
“We’re kinda taking things one day at a time. I just hope this whole deal with Mandy doesn’t blow up in my face.”
“For real. Okay, girl. I have to run. Go see your man.”
She waves as she walks away, and I grab the small duffel I’d brought with me into the gym and head for the doorway where Beau is still waiting, a smile on his face.
When I stop in front of him, I’m well aware that I’m a sweaty, chalk-covered mess, so it takes me completely by surprise when he wraps his arms around me and kisses my cheek.
“Nice job up there. Fucking amazing.”
“Thanks. And that was just one event.”
“Impressive.”
“How would you know?”
“Come on, Seven, give me some credit. I have a natural athletic ability. I can tell what’s good and what’s subpar. You’re the best athlete on this team.”
I give a little shrug, unwilling to brag about myself.
“But I am curious about something.” His gaze roams down over my body, and I’m suddenly very aware that I’m in a leotard. “What underwear do you wear under something like that? A thong?” An impish grin spreads across his face. Aww, he thinks he’s being cute.
“Hell no. Commando all the way, hot stuff.” I pat his chest and shoot him a wink as I back away from him. “I’m going to go hit the shower. Can you give me ten minutes?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
“Good. I’ll be quick.”
* * *
As I enter the locker room, I catch an odd vibe and I have no idea what to make of it until I turn the corner where my gym locker is located.
I’m speechless. One of the vents at the top of my locker has been bent all to hell and from the bottom, a brown liquid is seeping out. My lips part, and I exhale harshly.
“What the fuck?”
Kit walks over to me with a roll of paper towels from the bathroom. “I know. It was like this when I came in. Everyone’s kind of steered clear of it. I think it’s Coke.”
I take the offered roll and slowly unwind some, putting them on the floor to catch the mess. With a huff, I spin my locker dial and pop the door open. Just as I’d suspected, my book bag is sopping wet—my books, notebooks, everything. But the worst is that I had my school uniform hanging up, and it’s absolutely drenched. I was already concerned with only having the three uniforms and now this. Dammit.
Whirling around, I look at each person standing here, watching me about to melt down. “Whoever did this—whatever this is—you poured it all over my school uniform. All over my books and notebooks.” I press the heel of my hand to the side of my head where it’s begun to thump madly. “I don’t know what’s wrong with the people in this school, but that was completely fucked up.” My anger boils and bubbles over, making me blurt out things I probably shouldn’t. “Some of us don’t have what the rest of you have.” I aim my glare at Mandy, as her sly grin makes me one hundred percent positive she’s the culprit.
“Is there a reason why you’re fixated on me, Thorn?”
My jaw sets, locked impossibly tight with tension. Never mind. I don’t need to give her any more ammunition. Don’t need to let her know how much of an issue she’s made for me.
“Aw, what a sad little look on the Thorn’s face, girls.” She stalks toward me, grinning somewhat maniacally, then in the most irritating fashion ever, she sings loudly right in front of my face, “Lyla’s poor, mom’s a whore.” Emphasis on the last word, loud and clear. Mandy snorts as she watches the blood infuse my face. “Ah, I see that hit home.”
Fighting back unwelcome tears, I gasp, “You’re such a bitch.”
She shakes her head. “I only speak the truth, right girls? All of you saw her mom at the meeting. You can’t deny it, girlfriend. Your pretty mama makes her money from lying flat on her back. I’m just wondering if it’s one of those like mother, like daughter situations.” She taps her finger to her lips, acting like she’s thinking. “Maybe I’d better warn Beau.” She goes to walk away, but I’m not having it.
I grab her ponytail and yank hard, making her stumble backward and fall onto her ass. Still holding her by the hair, I squat down beside her and yank it again. Her head whips back, and she screeches, “The fuck!”