“I want to see serious improvement by next practice, okay? That’s it, gentlemen.”
The team broke up and we headed to the clubhouse to change. I could feel Rhett’s black gaze, like icy daggers in my back.
In the clubhouse, I’d just pulled my jacket over my aching shoulders when I felt a presence behind me. I tensed, bracing myself, and turned around. Rhett’s pale skin, dark eyes, and mirthless smile brought to mind a vampire.
“Sounds like you’re really good, Ford,” he said. “Do you want to trade seats with me, so the whole team can see how fuckingtextbookyou are?”
“I’m happy where I am, thanks.”
Rhett didn’t move but stared at me with that odd, maniacal grin. I stared back, unwilling to blink first. From my periphery, I could see the whole team watching. Tucker, Orion, and Dean moved closer.
“Hey.” Rhett leaned in, his head cocked. “What’s wrong with your eyes?”
I knew we’d be on the water with goggles, so I was wearing contacts. I had no glasses to act as a shield that could often make people believe the chromatic difference was just a trick of the light.
Before I could answer, Rhett chuckled. “Let me guess. One is from your crazy dad and the other from your mom. To remember her by. You know…because she walked out on you.”
The blood in my veins went cold, and my hands balled into fists. Rhett read my reaction, and his eyes widened in glee.
“I’m right, aren’t I? Which is which?” He pointed his finger at my left eye. “I’m guessing brown is Mommy.”
I smacked his hand away. “Fuck off, Rhett.”
Shocked, he snarled and shoved me in the chest. “Fuckyou, Ford.”
I shoved him back, and a full-blown altercation would have ensuedif not for Dean moving to stand between us.
“Okay, that’senough.”
To my shock, Tucker pulled Rhett aside. “Let him be.”
“Whatever, freak,” Rhett snarled, and he and Tucker moved off.
“You good?” Dean asked.
It took me a second to tear my gaze off Rhett. “Sure. Never better.”
I finished getting dressed, and Dean and I walked out. At the door, Orion stopped me to clasp hands.
“You deserve all the good shit Coach says about you, all right?” He leaned in, his brown eyes glinting. “Just don’t take Rhett’s seat. I don’t want that bloody bastard behind me.”
I smiled a little. “Thanks, man.”
“What’s Rhett’s deal?” I asked Dean as we headed to the parking lot on the other side of campus. “He seems…sadistic.”
“Nah.” Dean waved a hand. “His dad is in the music industry. Rhett gets to rub elbows with celebrities on the regular. I think it inflates his ego. Not that that excuses him talking shit like that to you. He’s a tremendous asshole, for sure.”
I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I agreed it was only a matter of ego. There’d been something in Rhett’s eyes that set my hair on end. Like looking into twin black holes where no light escaped, only infinite darkness.
I told myself I was being dramatic but also vowed to watch my back.
“You have plans for the Halloween Festival?” Dean asked. “Only a week to get your costume together.”
“I’m not going.”
“You have to go! The costume contest alone is worth it, with big prizes for the winners. Everyone goes all out.”
“I wouldn’t have the first clue what to be.”
