Thor wanders off to the showers while I linger at my locker, grabbing my phone from my bag. I sit on the bench, and a smile lifts my lips when I open my inbox to find a message waiting for me.
Congrats, soccer star. You slayed. So proud of you.
It’s accompanied by an incredible photo I’m assuming Renee took. I’m airborne, my body angled toward the goal, face rigid with determination, and my head tipped forward, reaching for the ball that led to my third and final goal of the match. I might need to print that one.
Thx. We’re all buzzing now.
Can’t wait to hear about it.
Come over tonight after work?
Can’t. Family dinner at the resort
Later then?
She’ll know what I mean.
CYA
I slip my phone back in my bag before stripping out of my muddy gear and heading to the showers.
On the way back, the bus stops at a burger joint because we’re all starving. I smother a groan when the cheerleaders’ bus pulls up, hurrying into the diner after Thor and Riley before Ana can try to stick her claws in me.
We slide into a booth at the back with a few of the other players, and I don’t miss the scowl on Ana’s face when she comes inside and realizes there is no room for her to squeeze her way in. But like I said, she’s one determined bitch, and when I emerge from the bathroom after taking a piss, she’s waiting in the hallway outside. I ignore her, but she steps out in front of me, blocking my way. “Move, Ana.”
“Callan.” Her hand lands on my T-shirt, and I instantly remove it.
“Don’t touch me,” I grit out. “And get out of my way.”
“Please.” Hurt splays across her face, and tears pool in her eyes. “We got off on the wrong foot, and I have been trying to apologize, but you won’t let me.”
I work hard to leash my anger. “I don’t want or need an apology. I don’t want anything to do with you. I respect you as head of the cheerleading team, but that is the extent of our involvement. If you don’t stop this shite, I’ll tell Coach you’re harassing me.”
“You wouldn’t.” Alarm glimmers in her eyes.
“Ana, seriously.” Gwen comes up behind her. “You should let this go before you get in trouble.” Gwen tugs on her arm, and Ana spins around. The two girls share a look I can’t see, but whatever it is, it works because Ana stalks off without looking back. Gwen presses her back to the wall, smiling up at me. “You’re welcome.” She runs a hand down the front of her top and skirt.
“Is that Astrid’s?” I blurt, recognizing the outfit Astrid wore a couple of weeks ago.
“Yes. She lets me borrow her things sometimes.” She preens a little, and her fingers toy with the edge of the skirt. “Do you like it?”
What the fuck kind of question is that? “Ugh, I should be getting back.” I move to walk around her, but her hand darts out, snagging my arm. “I’m glad I bumped into you. We need to talk.”
I shuck off her hand. “The bus will be leaving soon.”
“This won’t take long.” She stands in front of me with her head cocked to one side and her hands on her hips. The position stretches the top across her bigger tits, and I wonder why the fuck Astrid is loaning clothes to her when their shapes are nothing alike.
I cleave a sigh. “What is it?”
“When are you going to take your head out of your ass and make things official with Astrid?”
I instantly see red. Like what the actual fuck? “Astrid and I have an agreement, and it’s nothing to do with you, so butt out, Gwen.” I seriously have a pain in my face today with fucking cheerleaders sticking their noses in my business.
“It is if you hurt my best friend.”
“Astrid doesn’t need you fighting her battles. If she’s got something to say, she’ll say it to my face.”
Her expression softens. “Would she?”
