Kenz, Penny, Nat, Izzy, and Vicky wait by the door of the locker room. A burst of relief floods through me. I knew Kenz wouldn’t let me down, but the other girls could have ditched. They want my guys, but that doesn’t mean they want to declare war on the Cheermonsters.
Luke turns me to face him. One hand grasps my arm, and the other the back of my neck. My heart pounds so hard I’m surprised he can’t hear it as I lift my gaze.
“If anything goes wrong, yell.” Luke’s eyes search mine. I swallow. What does he think will happen?
“We’ve got this.” Kenz steps forward and wraps her arm around my shoulders.
Releasing me, Luke ignores the others, leans against the lockers, and looks down at his phone.
I draw in a breath and take off Nico’s jersey, straightening my t-shirt. With a last glance at Luke, I lead my group into the locker room.
Honestly the more I think about it, the more it sounds like a trap.Why not exchange jerseys in the hallway? Then the guys could have come with me. Maybe that’s the point.
“We’re going to be fine, H,” Kenz whispers as we make our way down the banks of lockers to where we can hear the Cheermonsters talking.
I nod because I’m not sure what could happen down here. And even if I yell, I’m not sure Luke could hear me. Besides, what could he really do if a bunch of girls were in a fight? Sell tickets?
Tamping down my nerves, I round the corner.
When we step into sight, the Cheermonsters quiet and take in my posse. Fuck, I have a posse. This is too weird. Sidney and the others have on shorts and t-shirts with their sneakers, ready for their practice. At least I don’t have to see them in my guys’ jerseys again.
Sidney gives me a knowing smile. Ashley rolls her eyes at Kenz beside me. The other two finish tying their laces, but they’re aware of our presence.
I hold out Nico’s jersey to Ashley. She takes it out of my hand and thrusts Eli’s into mine.
“You know you’re temporary, right?” Ashley leans back against the locker with her arms crossed.
“So you keep telling me.” I’m ready to leave. This is the same song and dance.
Ashley smirks. “You couldn’t possibly take it the way he likes. He’ll get bored and come begging for the good stuff.”
“Okay.” I shrug. I’m not sure what she wants from me, but I’m not about to tell her Eli and I do just fine. What happens between me and the guys is not up for discussion.
“You might want to reconsider who you let get close to you.” Sidney smiles at the girls behind me. “There’s a reason we don’t have many friends outside our group and why we each have a guy we get with. It helps maintain order.”
I turn to Penny. She gives me a reassuring smile. Do I think they might try something with a horseman? Possibly, but I’m confident the guys won’t let that stand. And I’m willing to take whatever punishment Eli throws my way because of it. At least I’m not down here alone.
“Noted.” I turn back to Sidney. “Same time tomorrow?”
Her green eyes assess me. So far, I’ve agreed with everything she’s thrown my way. I only popped off one time at her party and I was buzzing hard when I did. But Sidney wasn’t there. If she wants to believe the guys will come back to them, I won’t be the one putting up a fight.
Luke says they’re mine, so I’m going to believe they’re mine. Do I think it will last as long as they claim? I have no clue. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but right now, I’m confident in who they want.
“Same time tomorrow.” Sidney nods and glances at Emma. “You’ll get Jack’s for the day, then Friday you and I can switch before the game. Luke’s orders. You know how he likes to order you around.”
I cock my head to the side. “Of course. I wouldn’t be in this situation if I didn’t.”
Words I can handle. I’ve never been in a girl fight and really don’t want to be, but I’ll hold my own if they come at me. I won’t go crying to the guys to fight this battle unless the girls try to outnumber me.
“Good. Now be a good little pet and go tell your owner I was pleasant to you.” Sidney turns, dismissing me.
Ashley watches me like she’s trying to figure out my game. I guess they don’t believe I’m not playing one. I’m doing what I need to survive this year. Being with the horsemen is my current lot in life. I’ve accepted it.
It doesn’t entirely suck, but it’s also not what I would have chosen. These girls chose to be with the horsemen. Maybe they don’t believe a girl would want to resist them.
Kenz pulls my arm, and we walk away.
“Well, that was anticlimactic,” Nat mutters, clearly disappointed.
