Then it was: “You’re just a fake—like you’ve been your entire life. I guess you’re good at that role.”
And: “Chicken Coop, do you like your snobby school? Too bad the SCH babes have to go looking at Riggs for real men.”
Why had Madeline chosen him? Out of all of the guys who would’ve been happy to take her to homecoming, she’d chosen a guy I had bad blood with.
I threw a pass that went short. While we jogged to the next huddle, Henry said, “What’s the deal with Mullins? Why does he keep yelling stuff about Madeline to you?”
My hands curled into fists. “He’s going to the dance with her.”
“And you’re going with Dahlia,” Henry said, “So why does it matter?”
Jasper joined us. “Do you really have to ask?”
A sudden flash of understanding went across Henry’s face and he groaned. “Seriously, Nash? This isn’t the time to second-guess your dance choices. Get your head in the game.”
“It is,” I said.
“If it was,” Henry said, “you’d be calling a play, not glaring at the defense.”
My gaze snapped back to the forming huddle, and I drew in a deep breath to clear my mind.
Jasper patted my shoulder. “The best way to put Mullins in his place is to crush his team.”
As though I wasn’t already trying to do that. “Okay, we’re running Red 28 Sweep.” I slapped my hands together. “Let’s move the chains, guys.”
My teammates nodded and we took our positions. TC paced near the line of scrimmage, his eyes locked on me like a wolf sizing up prey.
Did TC even like Madeline or did he just like the idea of taking her away from me?
TC jogged in place and swung his arms as though he had energy to spare. The guy was all smug assurance. “The next one’s for Madeline,” he called.
I clenched my jaw. “Yeah? You practicing your slow-dance footwork or something?”
TC chuckled darkly. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she knows how much better I am than you—on and off the field.”
The ball snapped, and my mind clicked back to the game. I dropped back, scanning the field for my wide receiver. The pocket was collapsing, but I spotted an opening. Two seconds after I launched the ball, TC crashed into me, driving me into the turf with a jarring thud.
Pain smacked through me, pushing the breath from my lungs. The hit was late, and the ref’s whistle immediately screamed.
“Unnecessary roughness!” the ref shouted and signaled a fifteen-yard penalty.
TC stood over me, smirking. “Sorry. Guess I couldn’t stop in time.” He extended a hand. I swatted it away and got to myfeet on my own. Punk. It took everything I had not to knock the self-satisfied expression off his face.
“Careful,” TC said, his voice mocking. “Wouldn’t want you getting too banged up before the dance, pretty boy.”
My pulse pounded in my ears. “And it would be a shame if you broke a leg and couldn’t go.”
“Not happening,” TC said. “Just like your love life. Mine, on the other hand? I’ll make sure it’s real good tomorrow night.”
I stepped toward him. Jasper took hold of my arm. Apparently, he could tell I was about to do something that might get me ejected from the game.
“Ignore him,” Jasper said. “It’s just jealousy.”
He meant because I was a better player, because my team was better. But I heard the meaning he hadn’t intended. I was letting TC get to me because I was jealous of his date with Madeline.
I didn’t want the guy anywhere near her.
I turned and stalked away from him.
