“Nope,” I said, shutting that down. “We’ve got it handled. You should head on to the game.” I knew that’s where she wasgoing. Why else would she be out here in the middle of nowhere? And she hadn’t missed a game yet. As a matter of fact, she came to games that Amber’s parents hadn’t even made it to. I’d never seen an aunt as dedicated as she was.
Christy scowled. I wasn’t sure if she was scowling at me, or if she’d seen the way Amber had just undressed me with her eyes. In a much kinder tone than mine, Christy said, “Don is already on his way with another bus. Thank you for stopping, though.”
But then Amber waltzed right past us and down the aisle toward the girls. “Who’s thirsty? Anybody want a snack while you wait?”
The girls squealed and yelled that they did.
Christy and I shared a questioning look.
Amber sauntered back up the aisle, wearing a devious smile.
My eyes narrowed, and I had a feeling that the pit in my stomach wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
“C’mon, Holden. Let’s put those big biceps to work.” Her voice was seductive. Bile rose in my throat. “I’m going to need help grabbing everything from my trunk.”
Christy’s eyebrow cocked. “You have enough snacks for twenty-six girls in your car?” Her tone was seventy-five percent disbelief, twenty-five percent jealous. There was no need. I wouldn’t be caught dead with this woman.
Amber’s expression went stony as she eyed Christy up and down. “And drinks. If you were a better coach and principal, you would’ve been prepared for something like this.”
Christy’s head snapped back, shocked.
For a second I wanted to lash back, but Amber was clearly playing a game here. I was going to play harder. “Actually, Coach Christy’s the best.” I winked at my girl. “And nice to look at too.”
Amber’s head looked like it might explode for a splitsecond. Then she slid her flirty smile back on like I hadn’t just ogled my girlfriend right in her face and tipped her head at me. “Let’s go, hottie.” She bounded down the stairs and off the bus.
Christy stiffened, her eyes wide like she did not want me going anywhere with this horrible woman.
“You have nothing to worry about. Trust me.” I leaned by her ear. “She’s a literal psycho. Don’t believe anything she says or does. And don’t let her get to you.” I needed to get that in, just in case. Amber was a loose cannon, and I couldn’t guarantee anything when it came to her. I gave Christy a soft smile to ease her worry. “I’ll be right back.”
I was going to nip this in the bud, right here, right now. I kept my eyes trained on Amber as she walked ahead of me. Who knew someone in jeans and tennis shoes could master a runway walk on the gravel-strewn shoulder of the highway, but Amber was putting on a show. She was the very last person I should ever be alone with. But we were in broad daylight with a bus full of girls watching. And I had to do this for Christy.
As soon as we were behind her van, I let her have it. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but it ends now,” I said through gritted teeth.
She looked at me, wide-eyed and innocent as she clicked the lift button on her trunk. “I just thought it would be nice to give the girls some energy for their game. Geez, Holden. Chill.” Then she winked. I wondered how many guys had fallen to their deaths because of that wink. Probably way too many. But I couldn’t worry about any of them right then. I had one person to protect, and I was here to make sure it happened.
“Don’t act like we’re friends. We’re not and we never will be,” I hissed. “And you stay away from Christy, do you hear me?”
She lifted a case of Gatorade from her trunk, bending over way too long. When she turned back to face me, she was wearing a sickeningly sweet smile.
I glared as I let her transfer the drinks into my arms. “I mean it. I’m on to you. You’re not going to do to her what you did to Savannah. I won’t let you.” I should’ve left it at that, taken the drinks, and walked away. But I needed to make sure we were clear.
She grabbed a case of Goldfish crackers, tucked it under one arm, and smiled sweetly. “I didn’t do anything to Savannah but try to be her friend. You’re the one who couldn’t save her. And no worries. Because I’m on to you too.” She trailed a fingertip across my shoulders. I fought the urge to shudder. “And it’s only a matter of time until you let meonyou.”
And there it was.
I clenched my jaw, trying to destroy her with my eyes. “Not if you were the last woman on earth.”
She shrugged and laughed. “We’ll see about that.” Her gaze narrowed. “And trust me, Iknowallabout you and Christy.”
I sucked in a ragged breath.
That one line told me everything. She was behind it all. She’d taken the balls, wiped the security feed, and cut the gas line.
And she’d seen the shirtless kiss.
She grinned, her eyes dark and excited as if to say, “I know you’re going to watch me walk away.”
And I was. But not like that. Never like that.
