“And what a perfect name for your alter ego,” Fred said as I just smiled at her. And then the video ended.
“Oops,” Michael said with extra emphasis. He blinked innocently up at Mr. Hart. “Wrong video. Sorry. I’ll just save that one for next week’s project on how lying and cheating affects the human body. I’m sure my brother would have a lot to say for that one—especially since the girl that’s been catfishing him for months is in this very class. That’s right—CurrerBFighting is a girl. Beth Frye, to be clear. Surprise, brother.”
I bolted up from my chair, tears springing to my eyes. Every eye was on me, waiting for my response, but a lump had permanently lodged itself in my throat. I couldn’t even look at Gabriel. This wasn’t how I’d meant to tell him. There was no coming back from this. If Michael had just let me tell him myself, we could’ve avoided this public humiliation for all of us. But no, he had to do what he always did—tear me down for everyone to see. Except this time, I had it coming.
All of my lies had come back to haunt me.
“You’re a...” I thought of all the terrible names I would’ve liked to throw in Michael’s face. All of the words that could’ve earned me quite a few evenings of cleaning Mr. Hart’s tanks. Instead, I curled my lips and glared at him. “You’re the worst, Michael. You’re a bully and a jerk. And worst of all, you’re a terrible loser. You’ve bullied me for years, just because I beat you in a video game. Grow up and get over yourself.”
Haughtiness simmered in his eyes as he lifted his chin and stared back at me. “And you’re a wannabe gamer that has to hide behind a boy’s name to get anyone to take you seriously.”
Tears sprung to my eyes. I hated that he was about to make me cry, especially in a room full of our classmates. I wanted to wipe that smug look off of his face. Instead, I forced myself to look down at Gabriel. He was watching his brother with his mouth slightly ajar, shock spilling into his features. Oh, how I wished I could’ve made this all go away. It wasn’t fair that he was being put in the middle of this fight. I never should’ve catfished him. I never should’ve used my fake profile to get information from him. And I should’ve been braver and told him the truth a long time ago. He deserved so much better.
“I’m sorry,” I said, drawing his gaze toward me. A pang went through my chest when we made eye contact and his jaw tensed. “I really didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
Mr. Hart stood up, dropping his clipboard on the desk in front of him. “All right, that’s about enough, Michael.”
“I agree, Coach.” Michael crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve had enough of her, too. We all have.”
My heart couldn’t take any more. I snagged my backpack and made a break for the door before the tears could begin to fall from my eyes. A few people called my name, but I was gone before anyone could stop me. Down the hall I ran, zooming past open classrooms and a few students mindlessly wandering on bathroom breaks. Finally, I made it to the parking lot and found my little Chevy. I’d never skipped school before today, but nothing held me back as I threw that car into drive and peeled out onto the street, needing as much space between me and the Corrigan brothers as possible.
Chapter Twenty
I wasn’t sure where I was headed. By the time I figured it out, I’d been driving for an hour. No one could contact me. I’d immediately deleted the Battlegrounds app from my phone and then shut it off. Complete silence. There was no doubt that Charlotte and maybe even Lexi were texting me like crazy. I didn’t want to talk to them. I didn’t want their pity. Not after the way I’d messed everything up. I needed to be alone with my thoughts. And there was no better place to be alone during the school day than the Rock Valley after-school club.
The manager, Carl, practically lived at the club, so it was open nearly all the time. Some of the homeschoolers used it during the day for their school work, but the best part about it was that at this time of day no gamers from Rock Valley would be there. I didn’t need the audience there to hackle me as I did this.
My sister’s boots made clacking noises on the hard tile floor as I marched through the entryway. The entryway where Michael had obviously filmed my conversation with Fred. How smug he must’ve felt, getting that on camera. I thought I’d saved myself when I’d identified him as the wrong twin, but he’d already known about my deception. He was savoring it for a more public time to jump on me. And he got it, all right. He’d flayed me right in front of his brother and by the end of the day, the entire school would know about my pathetic lies. If there was one thing I could say about Michael, it was that he sure had a natural inclination toward cruelty.
It took mere seconds for me to find my intended target. With a flare of my nostrils and a deep breath, I walked up to my profile name on the tournament board. CurrerBfighting was still there. It was a big flashing neon sign pointing to all of my lies. I dug my finger under the edges and tore it off, leaving only the corners still stapled to the board. Piece by piece, it came apart in my hands. However, the satisfaction I thought I’d feel at ripping it to shreds didn’t come. And as I stared at the remains littering the floor, tears once again filled my eyes.
No more gaming tournament.
No more Winter Ball.
No more Gabriel.
It was all over. I’d been the one to put the last nail in the coffin.
“Beth? What’s going on?” someone called.
My eyes were too blurry to make her out as she walked toward me, but I still recognized her voice. “I’m so sorry, Fred. I can’t be in the tournament tomorrow. I’m just taking down my name.”
“Why?” She stopped in front of me, concern strong in her voice. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I messed up. Bad.”
My chin quivered. I clenched my jaw to try to make it stop. A tear trailed down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away. My vision had finally cleared enough for me to see the worry etched on Fred’s face.
She put a hand on my shoulder and directed me toward the cushy recliners near the bookshelves. “Come and talk to me. I’m sure it’s not all that bad.”
I was one hundred percent sure that even a conversation with the amazing Fred couldn’t put back together what I’d broken, but I let her lead me to the chairs. And once I’d sunk into the baby blue plush pleather cushions of one of them, the tears really started coming. I couldn’t stop them. It was like a monsoon. Fred darted away to grab a box of tissues and she placed them gently in my hands. As I dabbed at my eyes and cried into my fist, she waited patiently in the recliner next to mine, until every last tear had been dried up.
“I’m so sorry,” I said with a hiccup. I’d been saying a lot of apologies lately. Some, too late. “I never cry like this. Especially not in front of someone I just met.”
She bent toward me with a caring smile. “Seems like you needed it. Please don’t apologize. I remember what it was like being in high school. The pressure. The disappointment. The feeling like it’s never going to get any better than this. Just know that it won’t always be that way.”
I nodded along, although I couldn’t see how my situation was ever going to get any better. Michael was still the nasty bully he’d always been and now I’d lost Gabriel in the process. There was no coming back from this.
“Why don’t you tell me why you tore your name off of the board?” Fred asked, nodded at the shreds of paper on the floor.
I took a shuddering breath. “All I wanted to do was prove to everyone that girls could game. And that I could be the best, even if they all hated on me. It was my kind of revenge, you know? Secretly enter the tournament. Show up at the final round, take the trophy and the prize right out from under their noses. That’s how it all started. But everything got so messed up and now Gabriel’s going to hate me. And he’s the only boy I ever really liked.”
Fred blinked hard, her frown deepening slowly as she tried to make sense of my story. Smoothing out her black skirt with the palms of her hands, she crossed her legs and the
n clicked her tongue. “I’m not sure I understood all of that, but what I do know is that if this guy is worth any of those tears, he’ll come around. He’ll understand.”
Another massive hiccup racked my chest. I pressed a hand to my mouth, holding in the next one I could feel coming. “I don’t know about that. If it were me, I’d have a hard time forgiving him.”
“Well, then, it’s a good thing you’re not dating yourself.”
Fred’s red painted lips curved into a soft smile. It was such a ridiculous statement that a giggle slipped out of my lips, just as another hiccup came, making for a loud and extremely embarrassing noise. I clamped my hand over my mouth, my eyes widening. This was so not professional. But Fred only tilted her head back and laughed.
“Oh, man, all of this makes me glad I’m not single anymore,” she said, wiping under her eyes. “Thank goodness for my husband.”
I leaned into my seat, willing my body to stop shaking. “Does your husband mind you gaming?”
Fred pulled her head back, as if insulted by the very idea. “Are you kidding me? We met at a Dungeons and Dragons game night. And we built our relationship on late night take-out and Halo campaigns when we were first dating. He knows I’m a born gunner and he’s particularly good at the sneak melee attack. But in the one-on-one battle, he doesn’t stand a chance against me. I think he’s actually pretty proud of that fact.”
I giggled again, which seemed a lot safer than allowing myself to break into tears again. “You’re lucky.”
“Yes.” She nodded firmly. “Yes, I am. But if he were here, he’d tell you he’s the lucky one.”
It was good to see that someone like Fred could be exactly who she was with her person. Maybe, if I’d told Gabriel the truth sooner, he could’ve been that person for me. If he really meant what he said about wishing I was in the tournament, he would’ve cheered me on.
“Now, can we talk about this?” Fred pointed to the few paper shreds I still clutched. Reaching over, she grabbed a few of them. “I’d really like to see you stay in this tournament. It might encourage more girls to get involved.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know... I don’t think that’s a good idea. He’s in the final round.”
“And like I said, if he’s worth all of these tears, he’ll root for you. Just like you’ll root for him.”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I glanced back over at the bulletin boards where Battlescar13 was printed. The very sight of it made my stomach clench. “I don’t know...”
“Then, how about this, Beth.” She slid to the edge of her chair and pinned me with her stare. “Can you honestly tell me that you’re not going to regret dropping out of the final round tomorrow? You believe he already hates you. So how could dropping out of the tournament make it any better? You’ll just be punishing yourself. You deserve this win. For all the gamer girls at Rock Valley who have come before and will come after. You all deserve to be respected. And dropping out disrespects all the hard work you’ve put into this.”
I was going to bite right through my lip. What Fred said made sense. Dropping out wasn’t going to change anything. Not if Gabriel already hated me for lying to him. It was the one thing I might actually still get right.
“I guess so.” I sniffed slightly. “But it’s not going to be easy.”
She patted my knee. “Nothing worth having is ever easy. Believe me, I know that better than anyone. I’ve clawed my way through a male-driven field and found myself bursting through the glass ceiling. And now, I’m in this special position of being able to turn around and give a hand up to the next group of women following in my footsteps. Women like you. It’s not easy to break through that ceiling. You’ll bruise your head. You’ll get a few scrapes. But trust me, the view is worth it on the other side.”
I felt a grin tug at the corners of my mouth. “Well, when you put it that way...”
“It’s all about the view.” She smiled triumphantly. “And about putting your nay-sayers in their place. Even if you don’t win tomorrow, you’ll have made a huge step forward.”
“One small step for Rock Valley girls, one giant leap for woman-kind?”
She laughed. “Yep, exactly.”
The tears on my cheeks had evaporated, leaving behind dried tear stains that I wiped away. Talking with Fred had made me realize this wasn’t just about Gabriel. Even if I hated what had happened between us, there was more at stake. I’d set out to make a point. If I backed away now, it would all be for nothing. I had to show up at the tournament tomorrow morning, even if it hurt.
“Thanks for the pep talk,” I said, standing from the recliner.
“You’re welcome.” She followed suit and stood beside me. “Although, to tell you the truth, I was never good with the pep in high school. There’s a reason I didn’t make it on the cheerleading team. I think we can thank them for all my free time that led to my obsession with computers.”
I laughed, feeling the soft warm caress of hope once again. It seemed that one didn’t have to fit into the typical girly box to be successful later on in life. Fred seemed happy and confident about who she was. I wanted that. I didn’t want to feel insecure about not measuring up to the standards I’d made for myself. The standards that my friends had never expected me to meet. They loved me for me. Just like my family did. I didn’t need that pressure anymore.
“Thank you, Fred,” I said, backing away toward the door. Suddenly, I didn’t feel the need to be so alone anymore. “This really helped.”
“You’re welcome, kiddo.” She winked at me. “Good luck tomorrow. Whatever happens, I’m proud of you.”
I waved at her and then headed out the door with my phone powering back up in my hand. I didn’t even look at the slew of incoming messages as I opened up a group text and sent it out.
Me: It’s official: girl’s night at my house tonight.
In the morning, it’s battle time.
Nothing is going to stand in the way of my victory.
By the time I got to my car, I had a few replies.
Charlotte: Heck yes! I’m there!
Lexi: I’ll totally be your gaming cheerleader!
Whatever you need.
Charlotte: Glad to know you didn’t let today get to you.
Today had gotten to me—for a little while. But I was going to be strong. Stronger than Michael Corrigan ever imagined. Strong enough to face him tomorrow morning. And strong enough to face the boy I’d fallen for.
It wasn’t going to be easy...but maybe that was the point.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Are you sure I can’t put a little bit of gloss on your lips before we go in?”
Lexi glanced worriedly at me as I tugged my beanie tighter around my ears and marched toward the club doors. My crazy blonde curls were pulled back into a messy bun, a testament to how poorly I’d slept last night. Blame it on the pound of sugar I’d consumed with a greasy pizza or the thought of seeing Gabriel again, but I’d tossed and turned all night.
“No, I’ll pass on the gloss,” I said firmly. “I just want to get this thing over with. The sooner I see Gabriel, the faster I can focus on winning the tournament.”
She hesitated, gloss in hand, and then stashed it in her purse with disappointment written all over her face. She’d been trying to primp me all morning. I was pretty sure it was her way of showing she cared. Last night, during our third chick flick, she’d confessed that she felt responsible for the whole catfishing ordeal. As if it had been her idea. No, that blame lay with only me. I’d been the one to use Gabriel and I needed to take responsibility.
“Tell you what,” I said, softening my voice. “You can do whatever you want to me for the dance tonight. Go crazy.”
Lexi squealed so loud she almost made me take back the offer. But it was too late. The offer was out there, and she was going to take full advantage.
“Honestly, I’m so glad you’re still coming tonight.” Charlotte wrapped her arm around mine and somehow managed to keep u
p with my long strides. “It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
I nodded firmly. “I think talking to Fred has changed my view on those kinds of things. It’s probably going to be hard going without a date, but it’ll be worth it to spend time with you girls.”
Charlotte and Lexi both smiled radiantly at me as we stepped inside the club, driving home the point. So what if I’d lost my hot date? That didn’t mean I had to stop living. There would only be one Winter Ball of my junior career. I couldn’t let things pass me by, just because it got a little difficult. I was going to start putting myself out there. It would be worth it.
Just like facing Gabriel.
My feet slowed to a stop just inside the lobby and I took in all the changes they’d made since my unannounced visit yesterday. Four large projector screens had been set up on the far side of the club, with rows of chairs, couches, and recliners behind it for the observers. Ten desks with computer monitors had been set up in a long row to the side. I could only assume that was for the competitors. At least two dozen people already milled about the room, the noise of their excited chatter making the anxious pit in my stomach turn over.
But that was nothing compared to the anxiety that flared when I spotted Gabriel standing off in the corner, leaning against the wall. He wore a navy sweatshirt with the hood pulled up, his hands tucked into his pockets. A determined expression haunted his face. He was watching his brother chat with a couple girls only a few feet away. His dark eyes never left his brother’s back.
It was now or never.
I marched toward him and desperately grasped at the confidence I could feel leaking out of me. Another girl might have ignored him. Might have ghosted him after that humiliation in anatomy class yesterday. But that wasn’t me. He deserved a solid apology. It wouldn’t fix what I’d done, but it was the right thing to do.
Dare You to Catfish the Hockey Player (Rock Valley High Book 6) Page 15
