Anyway, they both play for the same team. And should potentially be friends and have the same agenda.
However, they aren’t–friends, I mean. And theydon’thave the same agenda, at all.
Probably because they’re both forwards for Bardstown High. One is left wing and the other is right and basically, they’re supposed to help each other.
But they don’t because they have this ongoing, age-old contest, where whoever scores the most goals in the season wins.
It’s a matter of pride and honor and a whole lot of testosterone.
I don’t know how it got started, this contest, rivalry, whatever you want to call it, but they both take it very seriously. Their whole team, which is divided into my brother’s camp, the Thorn camp, andhiscamp, the Mustang camp, takes it seriously as well.
So does the whole town.
Whoever wins this unofficial contest becomes the reigning champion. This year it’s my brother – he won by one measly goal last season – who also happens to be the captain of the team.
The whole town treats him like a king.
Which means free drinks, free food at local restaurants, posters on park benches and light poles. Back pats from people on the street and of course, all the attention from girls.
Trust me when I say that these two will go to any lengths to be the winner.
They’ll do anything to mess with each other, ruin each other’s game on and off the field just so they have a better chance of scoring goals.
And for years I’ve heard about it, about their rivalry, abouthim.
I’ve heard how corrupt he is, how evil and twisted. How he’d do anything to win at soccer. How much of an asshole, douchebag, bastard, motherfucker, and all those things he is.
But of course, I can’t call him that. I can’t call him all those names.
I’m a good girl.
I don’t curse.
Besides, my brothers curse enough for all of us.
Hence the name: A Gorgeous Villain.
Anyway, it’s game day and I’m at the soccer field right now.
A little personal confession: I don’t like soccer. Not at all.
I think it’s boring and I’d rather be home right now, either baking cookies or cupcakes, or knitting in my favorite armchair by the fire. Two of my favorite things to do.
Another personal confession: I don’t understand this rivalry either. I don’t understand this whole need to win and be the best at any cost. I mean, they play for the same team, don’t they? If the team wins, they win, correct?
But as I said, I’m a good girl and so a good sister.
I’ll always support my brothers. No matter what.
They’re my whole wide world. I love them to pieces, and I know they love me to pieces too.
So here I am, sitting on the bleachers, watching a game I don’t really care for, just so I can support Ledger and cheer for him.
And also Conrad, my oldest brother, who happens to be the coach of our high school soccer team.
So soccer is not only this town’s sport, it’s also our family sport; my other two brothers, who are away at college right now, played for Bardstown High as well.
This kind of makes me soccer royalty by extension.
