Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Bex dribbles the ball, sweeping it between her legs as she looks for the open player. Dodging the girl guarding me, I pivot my foot, my hands in front of me to intercept the ball. With a quick dribble and roll to my right, I slip past my opponent about to make the layup when someone kicks their foot out in front of me.
I fall flat on my face, my chin hitting the court hard. An intense pain shoots through my skull, forcing my eyes shut. The ball rolls beneath the basket and hits the padded wall in the gymnasium. I blink a few times to regain my vision, and then Bex is standing above me calling my name.
She holds out her hand, which I gladly accept. When I rise to my feet, I have trouble standing. Clutching her shoulder, I suck in a deep breath, wondering what just happened.
“I think someone tripped me,” I say.
She grinds her teeth. “It was Jackie.”
“What is wrong with her?”
“It’s because of Drake. Apparently, she’s been telling everyone on the team you are his new whore and that he sees her on the side.”
“Are you kidding me?”
She shakes her head, helping me over to the bench. “I overheard her talking to Crystal and Dawn.”
Still somewhat delirious, I can’t even think straight. Bex’s words make little sense. Why would Jackie do this to me? I did nothing to her. Not unless you count dating Drake. But he was fair game, never hers to claim. I knew dating Drake would put a target on my back. Though, I never expected my own teammates to hold grudges.
After practice, we hit the showers. I’m exhausted from jet lag, my schedule is still out of whack even after a week back on campus. The three-hour time difference hits me every time.
Jackie grips the edge of her locker, so I take this as an opportunity to pay her back for the shit she pulled on the court. Pushing on the door, I slam her fingers against the wall. She cries out in pain, stumbling backward as she grabs her hand.
Her eyes meet mine, and a fire brews behind them. “You fucking whore,” she spits.
I laugh in her face. “I know you tripped me because you’re jealous that I’m with Drake. News flash, Jackie, he’s mine. So cut the shit already.”
She snorts, a guttural laugh escaping her chapped lips. “He was with me before the break. Maybe you should ask your boyfriend where his loyalty lies.”
Intense emotions bubble up inside me, the rage monster wanting to take over. My dad taught me martial arts as a kid to help curb my anger issues. They bullied me for the few years we lived in Texas, and after I finally confessed the truth, my dad not only got the girl’s father transferred to another duty station but also taught me how to defend myself.
Memories of my past come flooding to me, crashing over me like breaking waves. My entire body trembles as I stare at Jackie. Luckily for Jackie, Bex is at my side, tugging me back over to my locker.
She cups my shoulder and spins me around to face her. “Tay, don’t let her get to you, okay? She’s nobody. Drake is with you, not her. No matter what she says or does, you know she’s just making shit up to piss you off.”
“I know… but why does it hurt so much to hear her talk about me… about him like that. I want to rip her fucking face off.”
“It’s not worth it,” she assures me. “You could get into more trouble than just thrown off the team if you fight Jackie.”
“Yeah, I know.” Furious, I blow out a puff of air. “She knows how to press all the right buttons with me. You know, Drake never even touched her. So, it’s not like he was all that interested in her. I don’t get why she’s so obsessed with him. That was two months ago when he sent her those pics.”
“It’s in the past,” Bex reminds me.
I nod. “I knew this would happen when I told him we could be together. That’s why I wanted to keep our relationship a secret. His life is too public. Everyone stares at me like I’m some whore, and now I have to hear it from my teammate.”
She taps my shoulder with her fingers and flashes a quick smile. “It will all blow over. Go hit the showers.”
If only I could believe this will all blow over, but I have a feeling the worst is yet to come.
Chapter 14
Drake
After Taylor’s fight with her teammate during practice, our relationship has taken its toll. We’re still together, I guess. But it’s hard to tell with how distant she’s been this week. I don’t blame her. I knew the risk when we first started dating. Though, that doesn’t make this situation suck any less.