“Cool,” Michael says. “You’re on my team.”
Matt takes the ball from him. “Sorry. We’re playing Roberts against non-Roberts. You, Gage, and Tyler's friend Seth against me, Jess, and Ty.”
I get why Matt divided the teams that way. He wants Gage and Michael on the same team so they don’t have an excuse to go after each other.
Playing football, even touch, is a good way to work out the pressure I've felt ever since the guys got here. We run the plays like this—Ty blocks for Matt and I run. Matt throws me the ball. I’m fast enough to get a few yards each play before anyone catches me. On defense, I block Michael. He’s too much of a gentleman to mow me over. Matt manhandles Gage, and Ty makes a run for it.
Michael catches on to our plans and sticks to me like he’s my shadow. We’re a few yards from the goal. I go out long and catch the ball. I’m almost in the end zone with Michael getting closer. Something slams into me from the side. I go down hard, but land softly, cradled in Gage’s arms.
He does know how to tackle gently.
He’s on top of me. Not crushing me. “What are you doing?” I ask.
“Looking out for my brother’s interests, and saving the game.” He doesn’t let me go.
“Knock it off,” I struggle under his grip. “I can take care of myself.”
“I’m not sure...” He’s cut off by Michael barreling into him.
I’m thrown sideways. Gage ends up on his back.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Michael is yelling at Gage. “Jess, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I sit up, more stunned and hurt by Michael’s heroics than by Gage’s tackle. I shake myself.
Michael offers me his hand, but Gage is on his feet, toe to toe with him.
I stand up. “I’m okay, really.”
They aren’t paying attention to me anymore.
“This game is touch, not tackle.” Michael says through tight lips.
“Maybe I didn’t want youtouchingJess.” Gage’s hands are clenching and unclenching into a fist.
“She’s better off with me touching her than she is with you tackling her.” Michael’s whole body is red and his green eyes are on fire. I’ve never seen him mad before, but he looks like a volcano about to blow.
“I doubt that,” Gage says.
“Don’t you think that’s up to her?”
“We aren’t on base now, rich boy,” Gage says. “You can’t order me around and you sure as hell can’t order Jess around.”
I’m tired of being talked about as if I’m not standing here, as if I can't take care of myself. “Knock it off! I’m sick of this whole thing.” I turn and start walking away.
“Jess–” Michael starts. I ignore him.
“Alright, boys.” Matt is between them now. “Jess is right. You two need to cool it.”
I keep walking into the house and up to my room. This is stupid. I’m furious with both of them for ruining my Spring Break.
seventeen
Intruder
Idon’t talk to Gage or Michael for the rest of the night. Dinner is pretty silent. Afterwards, Matt takes off with Kendra. Gage and Jasmine stay at my house to watch a movie, probably so Gage can keep tabs on me and Michael. Michael leaves, saying something about meeting some friends from Fort Lewis. I head upstairs to take a long bath.
The house is quiet when I get out. Jasmine and Gage must have left too.
