I seethe, “How about my clothes? Have those in your bag, too?”
“I don’t.” His dark eyes connect with mine. I look at them for so long, trying to decide whether or not he’s lying, that I notice little fiery flecks of amber around the pupils. His gaze finally pulls away from mine, only to run down over my body. Heat shoots through me, and I suck in a breath, suddenly very aware that my nipples are pebbling behind the cotton T-shirt and the slightest upward movement of my arms will give all of them a private viewing of my cooch.
He leers at me, wickedness in his smile. “Can’t say I really mind you going pantless, though, if that’s your preference, Red. All that running makes for lean legs and a tight little ass.”
I snatch the pants out of his hand, tear my gaze away, and storm back into the locker room. I pull them up over my legs, then sit down on the bench, lowering my head into my hands. There’s no way around it; I’m going to have to run home before going to work. I shove my bare feet into my running shoes, pick up my empty bag and backpack, and push the locker room door open, fully expecting to see those three dickheads still out here, waiting to mess with me.
When I look around, though, I find that they’re gone.
A single tear trickles from the corner of my eye.Fuck.If this is Xander trying to get rid of me, he’s making a damn good attempt. The place I’d hoped would make me feel closer to my mom is home to someone who wants nothing more than to make me so miserable I’ll leave.Why?
Maybe you’re not worthy of being here after all. Who decided thatyouof all people would get that scholarship? Poor little girl lost her mom, so let’s be nice?
No. Stop.That’s exactly what whoever is messing with me wants. I can’t fall into that trap. I won’t assume that I’m not exactly what they were looking for, that I’m not an asset to the cross-country team.Strength, Scarlett.It’s what Mom always said was one of my greatest assets. I can only hope she meant mental strength in addition to physical, because it’s starting to look like I’m going to need every ounce of both to survive this school.
Chapter 13
The whole school is abuzz Friday morning. The first football game of the year is tonight, and the hallways are a sea of red-and-black jerseys and cheer uniforms.
Aria and a few other cheerleaders pass by Max, Daphne, and me on their way to greet the football players. Their super-short, pleated skirts swish, and they push out their chests, emphasizing the RA rose logo emblazoned across the front of their shirts. I turn my head just in time to see Daphne roll her eyes.
“Do you go to football games?”
She shakes her head. “Screw that. I have better things to do with my Friday nights.”
Max chuckles. “Like what? Your homework?”
“No. There’s this book I want to read, but I haven’t had time since classes started again.” She eyes Max, who is trying not to laugh, and shoves him. “Jerk.”
“God, I love your nerd game, Daphne.” He throws an arm around her, then wiggles his eyebrows at me. “If you need someone to go to the game with, I’ll go. I don’t mind all the grunting and sweating. Like, at all.”
I give him an amused smile. “Coach Lance says our team is supposed to support other sports, and we’re supposed to show up at games, so I guess I’ll be there whether I want to be or not.”
Daphne snickers. “Somehow, I doubt it’ll be reciprocated when it comes to a cross-country meet at nine a.m. on a Saturday morning after a game, you know?”
Max pauses, studying me. “Are you sure going to the game wouldn’t have more to do with a certain wide receiver?”
My head jerks back, and I frown at him. “What? No. Why?”
Max juts his chin in the direction of the crowd of football players and cheerleaders. “Because lover boy keeps looking over here. Mark my words. He’s into you.”
“He has a weird way of showing it.”
“What’s that mean?” He looks at me, curiosity piqued.
I can’t even bear to bring up some of the crap that’s happened. “Nothing. Just… never mind. Anyway, I have to go to the game, so if you want to go, I’d appreciate the company.”
He gives me a funny smile but nods. “Sure, I’ll go.”
* * *
At seven, I swing by Max’s house in Ruth. I’m a tiny bit embarrassed to even drive my truck through this neighborhood. As with all of the other Roses, Max’s family is loaded. When I questioned him, he’d explained that his dad is CEO of a big pharmaceutical company that was originally founded by his great-grandfather. His home is nothing short of a mansion, the architecture is gorgeous, and it’s well-kept. The whole package is jealousy inducing.
He jogs down the driveway and pulls the passenger door open. Ruth’s hinges shriek her protest, and Max laughs, climbing in. “This truck is older than dirt.” He slams the door shut and it creaks again. Loudly.
I cringe, then shrug. “Beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Truth. Let’s go see your boyfriend, shall we?” He gives me a teasing grin.