As I walk out of third period, I see Micah propped against the locker waiting for me. “So, interesting start to the day.”
“Sure,” I say as I keep walking.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t know who she was?” Micah asks as he steps behind me. I wait a few seconds before I turn to face him. He keeps a smirk on his face as he continues, “You watched her from the balcony for hours, then decided to take a swim at her house. Which just so happens to be right behind ours.”
“If you have a point, get to it.”
The amusement in his tone demonstrates that he’s enjoying this tremendously. “You’re playing with fire, Luca. And you know it. She already has control over you, and you don’t even know the girl. When do you ever go out of your way to piss someone off?”
“And I don’t want to know her.” I need her to hate me.
“Then I guess you won’t mind if I do.” He looks to the side like he’s imagining something. “I’m sure she’d be a decent fuck.”
Before I realize it, I’m in front of him, my hands gripping his blazer as I slam him back against the locker. “Don’t. Touch her.”
My brother just shakes his head, not moving to get free. “There’s my point, and you just proved it. You’re lying to me and yourself.”
He’s right. The mere mention of him touching her makes me want to murder him. Releasing him, I step back but don’t confirm what we both already know.
I’m fucked. He’s got leverage and will play dirty.
12
IVY
Thankfully, I’m heading to the last period of the day. Unfortunately, my schedule change never came through, so it’s still PE for now. Apparently, they have plenty of other extracurricular classes that I could’ve signed up for like choir, auto tech, or even archery. So hopefully I can switch out sooner than later.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I mumble as I spot Luca across the natatorium. If he has PE this period too, I’m definitely out. I’ve already had four classes with him and had to sit at lunch with his arrogant gape on me. The dude really needs to take lessons from his much more tolerable brother.
As soon as I spot the coach, I inform him, “I’m not supposed to be in this class.”
He glances at me then looks over his roster. “Name?”
“Ivy Walker. It’s on my schedule, but it was a mistake. I’m switching out.”
He drops the clipboard onto his desk. “Principal Guidry said you took state your junior year. We’re in a different division, but I’m sure you can still hold your own.”
First Brooke and now Coach. Damn principal must run her mouth a lot.
“I’m not competing. Hence why I want to be switched out of this class. I don’t need any more PE credits to graduate.”
“Belgrave has a set-up for student athletes to have extra time during class to practice. Even if the athletes don’t need the credits specifically for physical ed, it still counts towards electives.” He reclines back, hands folded on his desk. “But I’m curious, why would you stop competing your senior year?”
I go for the easy excuse and point at my shoulder. “Injury. I had surgery over the summer.”
Coach looks at my shoulder then back at me. “Did it not heal correctly? We have a clinic that the team goes to if you want a second opinion.”
“I don’t. I’m out for the season. I wasn’t able to train all summer.”
He looks surprised as he asks, “You don’t even want to try? Muscle memory is there. And with the condition you had to be in to place, you should be able to bounce right back.”
“No, I’m going to switch out.”
His disappointment doesn’t bother me. I can even picture how disappointed my old coach would be, but it changes nothing about my decision.
“If you change your mind, we’d love to have you on the team or just in the class. Get an easy credit.”
There’s nothing easy about this course. I just head over to the benches but don’t get there because a big lug is blocking the path. Leave it to Luca to annoy me when I’m at my limit.
