We make an escape while the silence is still hanging thick in the air, and for the millionth time in my lifetime I'm glad to have a friend like Charlie.
We take the steps quickly, rounding for the exit and I don't look back even as I hear a commotion behind us.
Jennifer rounds the corner just as we're escaping and we almost bump into her.
"Charlotte! Slow down." She huffs, looking at us with fright. "Why are you running?"
"Sorry, mum." Charlie murmurs. "Gotta go."
Charlotte side steps her mum, pulling me along with her and then I hear Jennifer let out a huff and then, "Asher, why are you out here? Is the game done? I didn't think I was in the toilet for that long."
Only then do I glance back and see Asher staring at me, trying to say something with his eyes that I can't decipher.
Chapter 12
Tip twelve; just fucking kiss them. (After consent though - stay safe out there)
Asher
My fist connects with his face and the sound is wrong.
Too loud.
Too sharp in the sudden silence of the arena.
Bone against bone. The crack echoes up the stands and the world freezes around it, like everyone inhaled at once and forgot to let it go.
Samuel stumbles back into the railing, shock splashed across his face before the pain catches up. His mouth opens like he's about to say something else, plead his innocence.
He doesn't get the chance.
Because I heard him.
All of it.
Lie back and take it.
Rumours.
Dain said she wasn't even-
That name.
Dain Chambers.
It lands like a fucking sucker punch to the gut.
Dain, who runs his mouth every time we play his team.
Dain, who cheap shots our buddies and laughs when refs look the other way.
Dain, who thrives on humiliation.
Dain, who treats girls like collateral damage and then plays the victim when someone calls him on it.
And now he's touched Ivy.
Fuck.
