“Yeah, you said that. But what does that mean?”
“It means that I can’t. I’m not…” I look for a suitable word. “Allowed.”
“You’re not allowed?”
“Nope.”
“Well, who is it that’s not allowing you?”
I stare at her a beat before saying, “Look, you don’t live here so you don’t know.”
“What don’t I know?”
“There’s bad blood between my brother and yours.” She frowns and I explain, “My brother hates your brother and the feeling is mutual, okay? So don’t even talk about these things.”
Her confusion has only grown. “What? Why?”
I go to explain the whole thing to her but turns out I don’t have to.
When I can show her.
Because what happens at every game is already happening on the field. The two star players of Bardstown High are facing off against each other.
You’d think that ever since Ledger became the captain, he would try to steer clear of all kinds of fights and arguments. At least on the field. But no.
Because Reed doesn’t let him.
Ever since Ledger became the captain, Reed’s aggressiveness on the field has only grown.
I’m not sure what brought on the current argument but they’re standing toe to toe.
I can’t see their expressions from here so all I have to go on is their body language and it is not looking good.
There are tense shoulders, rigid backs. Wide, battle-ready stances and folded arms.
I can read my brother like a book and I know he’s angry. I know that the vein on his temple must be pulsing as he says something, or rather, snaps it at Reed.
Who, on the other hand, appears completely relaxed.
Reed looks like he doesn’t care that Ledger is almost up in his face. He doesn’t care that Ledger looks like he might hit Reed at any point.
But I think it’s all for show.
It’s all to provoke Ledger, to show him that he can’t get to Reed, to mess with his head.
Reed’s successful too because in the next second, Ledger shoots his hand out and pushes Reed back.
Oh God.
And finally, we have a reaction.
It pulses through Reed like a current, obliterating his relaxed persona, making him rigid and unforgiving. And when Reed takes a threatening step closer to Ledger, Ledger does the same, bringing them back to standing toe to toe, their bodies sweaty, their heads bent toward each other as if they’re exchanging confidences rather than threats.
The two beasts, the Mustang and the Thorn.
Just when I think that they’re going to start punching each other, someone steps in.
My oldest brother and their coach, Conrad.
