Neither Remy nor Everett return for the remainder of the game. The final result ends up being Belgrave winning by a touchdown.
I hang back after the stadium clears and wait near the locker room exit. One of his teammates exits so I ask him, “Is Everett still here? I haven’t seen him pass by yet.”
“He left earlier. Said he was heading to grab something to eat with Kendall if you want to call them.”
“Thanks.” It makes me feel so much better to hear Everett is okay. He hardly noticed I was here. But at least I showed. I take off and head to Hannah’s party.
When I get to my car, I grab out my phone.
Ivy: Missed you after the game. We’ll catch up another time, but I wanted to tell you that you played great! Hope your knee is okay.
I make the drive to Hannah’s and not long after I get inside the house, I hear Remy’s grating voice. “Picked the losing team, Ivy.”
Ignoring him, I grab a drink and head to the backyard. The pool is full of people, and I finally spot Brooke over by the firepit. I don’t get a sip down before Cain starts booing me. I just flip him off. He laughs and pats my head as he says, “I’m just teasing.” And I think he truly is. Remy on the other hand, not so much, as he makes a few more rude remarks. But it’s Luca’s judgy stare that pisses me off.
“Pussy went down like a ton of bricks.” When Remy fist-bumps Luca, it clicks.
“You told him to do it.”
Luca doesn’t respond as Remy shrugs his shoulders like he’s innocent before he grins. “If the pansy can’t take the hits, he shouldn’t have been on the field.”
“Why don’t you stop having someone else do your dirty work?” I ask Luca who just turns up the bottle in his hand.
I’m not drunk enough for this. I gulp down a few swallows before I say, “You’re pathetic.”
Luca laughs arrogantly at me. “So is making the chump think he still has a chance.”
“He’s my best friend. I know you can’t relate to doing anything without motive, but some of us care about people and want to be their friend. Not everyone just wants a fuck buddy.”
There’re a few whistles and hoots around us.
He moves towards me and quietly says, “I warned you that there would be consequences if you wore another man’s clothes.”
“You have no right to be this much of a jealous asshole. Stop acting like you have any control over me,” I yell.
He’s calm until he swiftly reaches forward and yanks the jersey off of me before tossing it into the firepit.
Did he really just do that?Sure did. Because I’m watching the material incinerate in the flames.
Luca puts his arm around my lower back, keeping me pinned against him as he utters, “Yes, I’m jealous, possessive, controlling, and don’t share what’s mine. Is that what you want to hear? I won’t apologize. At least I can admit what I want without needing an excuse to do it.”
“I wish you would let me tell you exactly what to do. Because that command would’ve lasted an eternity instead of a mere twenty-four hours.” Before he can retort with some idiotic comeback, I say to Brooke, “Let’s go anywhere else but here.”
“Sounds like a great idea to me.” As soon as we’re back inside, I pour myself another drink then follow Brooke to the formal dining room that’s being used for a beer pong game.
Brooke plays a few rounds as I sit nearby and drink. The more buzzed I get, the more I relax, and eventually I take Brooke up on her request to be her partner.
We’re celebrating our latest score when Everett appears. He immediately looks at my tank top. “Already took off my jersey. I guess we are in enemy territory.”
You have no idea.“Yeah.” It’s a pile of ashes, but I leave that part out. “What are you doing here? Where’s Kendall?”
“Some girls at the field mentioned where Belgrave was partying after the game. I checked at your house, but you weren’t there, so I took a chance you’d be here since you weren’t answering your phone.”
“Shit.” I glance at the few missed calls. “I have it on silent. Can’t hear anything in here anyway.”
“Understood.” He surveys the room before he says, “I dropped Kendall off at home.”
“Why? You were supposed to be on a date.” I smile. “You should’ve brought her along. I’m sure she’d have a good time here.”
