Nina wouldn’t let go. I spun around, taking one earbud out. “What? I’m in the middle of a workout.”
She twirled a strand of auburn hair between the fingers of her free hand. “I heard you’re taking Montana to the debutante ball.” Her tone was harsh.
I lifted my T-shirt and wiped the sweat off my face. “I am not going to the ball with you. We are not getting back together. When are you going to get that through your head?”
She dug her nails into my arm. “I want you back, Train. I can’t tell you how I screwed up. Please, give me another chance.”
Begging didn’t look good on her.
She might have thought she was inflicting me with pain, but it was just the opposite. Her nails in my skin were keeping me from losing my fucking shit. I eyed the cheerleaders, who were now watching intently. At least I had witnesses if I needed them. I’d known Nina a long time. She wouldn’t cry abuse, but she had changed last year into a person that I didn’t even know anymore. So all bets were off, and I wasn’t taking any chances. “Let go of me,” I said as nicely as I could.
She drilled her evil gray gaze into me. “You never wanted me to let go of you when we were screwing.”
“What do you want?” I knew what she wanted, and I only asked because I was a gnat’s ass away from pushing her.
“I want you to take me to the ball. We can start there. We had future plans together. Remember? College and maybe marriage.”
Nausea shot up to settle in my throat. “We were kids with a pipe dream. Oh, and you cheated on me.”
Her features grew dark, or maybe it was a cloud skating in front of the sun. “I’m not giving up. And I’m not letting a new girl steal what’s mine.” Her bitchiness grew with every word.
I threw my head back, inhaled, then slowly righted my head. “I don’t belong to anyone.”
She huffed and finally let go of me. “We’ll see about that.” Then she stomped away.
Sucking in a much-needed breath, I checked my arm. I had red imprints. I wiped the sweat off my face then wanted to scream. Instead, I growled out, “Women.”
I started a slow jog, pounding one foot then the other into the hot pavement. My head slowly cleared as I honed in on the game—a very important game against a tough team. And I had a scout attending tonight’s game as well. So I decided to run one last lap then hit the showers. When I came around the track alongside the bleachers, I spotted Drew, Nina’s cousin. His carrottop seemed blinding in the afternoon sun. I slowed to a walk. “Hey, Drew. How are you after that lab accident?” I liked the tenth grader. He’d always been nice to me when Nina and I were dating.
“Good,” he said, picking at his fingers.
“What’re you doing out here?” Drew was a nerd who was into science and building things. If anyone were looking for the kid after school, he could be found either in the science lab or the library ninety-nine percent of the time. Maybe he was finally getting over his shyness to ask a girl out. “Are you interested in one of the cheerleaders?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
I grinned. “Good luck, man. I got to run.” I blew past the cheerleaders and didn’t stop running until I was outside the locker room. I was a little calmer, although a long shower would do the trick. But when I entered the quiet room, I skidded to a stop.
Half of the football team was crowded around Derek and Montana while Derek read a passage from Montana’s mom’s book. Man, I opened a can of worms with that book.
I cleared my throat as I pushed two players out of the way.
“My heart beat faster anytime she was in a room,” Derek read aloud.
The guys were riveted, while Montana wore a happy expression or maybe a proud one since her mom was the author.
I snatched the book from Derek. “Stay out of my locker. Now all of you get dressed.” I stuck a glare on each player then Montana. “You, out.” I didn’t want to ask what she was doing in the locker room in the first place.
Her stunning face radiated with a menacing glow. “Still pissy, I see.” She’d changed out of her nun-style outfit and into short shorts.
“Are you looking to practice some moves that your mom outlined in her book?” That appealed to me, especially if she wrapped her long legs around me.
“Nah. I know those by heart. I’m here to make your life miserable. In fact, that’s my mission between now and graduation.”
I grasped her arm. “Come with me.” It was time to settle whatever was happening between us. I knew what my body wanted, but my brain was shouting at me to stay away from her.She’s trouble. She’ll break your heart.
She giggled. “Kidnapping won’t look good on your college applications.”
I growled as I opened the door to the weight room, which was tucked in the back of the locker room.
