Instant concern filled me, for not only thinking about how Mercedes would be okay with Austin getting hurt, but thinking of Paxton taking a hit like that too. A hit, that could cause a guy his size to break something. I knew all too well the kind of force it takes from someone that size to break someones bone. I had been on the end of that scenario more times than I could count. My eyes scanned the animated crowd filling the grounds as we continued to pave our way through the masses, and I tried telling myself that I wasn’t looking for a certain someone. I continued to follow Lucy, until we stalked up the bleachers and we found some seats right in the middle of the main grandstand.
“Uh, it seems we’ve already lost Gabe to the dark side,” Mercedes sighs as she points out Gabe below, chatting to the same huge guy he winked at earlier. And by the colour of said guys shirt, it’s apparent that he’s on the other team as well. Obviously, it wasn’t a rivalry that was felt between the spectators then…
“You know Gabe, he’ll hit it and quit it before game time.”
I grin at Lucy, before nervously glancing around the stadium. The sea of maroon and blue were like the contrasts of Fall and Winter, as the stands fill with supporters from both teams. It’s obvious that the town takes this sport seriously though, a thought which somehow moves to Paxton and how loved he must be in this place. Not only was his family a big deal at the Academy, but being football royalty would mean he really is so far above any league I could even begin to try and understand; let alone be a part of.
“Ooh, this should be interesting,” Mercedes mutters, pointing to the field where our Academy Cheerleaders are waving their pom-poms.
“What’s happening?” I shake my head, wondering what I’m looking at, when I see Amber being approached by an opposing cheerleader decked out in the Eagles colours. It looks like they are having some kind of standoff, until moments later, both girls are circled in support by the rest of their respective cheer squads.
“Is something going on?”
“Oh, it’s not only the footballers that have this rivalry, but the families and cheerleaders too. Rumours went around last year that Amber was fooling around with the Eagles QB, which she denied of course.”
“Ofcourse she would deny it! As if The Reed’s would have anything to do with her or her family if that were true,” Mercedes snaps angrily.
“What do you mean?” I ask, before Lucy continues.
“Well not only are the Eagles our biggest football enemy, but the QBs family, The Dawsons, came into money suddenly, and basically started trying to get stocks in everything within the elite empire. They wanted parts of everything owned by all five families, hoping to push themselves into position number six on the board. Stocks from the Westwoods, Lewis’s, Crawfords, and Stratfords, which they managed in really shady ways. But the wanted more. They wanted to go for the crown, which is why they tried targeting The Reeds.”
I nod slowly. “Reed, as in Paxton’s family?”
Lucy nods sadly. “Obviously the Reeds’ didn’t appreciate trying to be undermined in this town, because everyone goes through the family here. There’s a system of hierarchy that’s been in this town for generations. And the fact that the Dawson’s weren’t born into money is a huge no-no, and not to mention they were building their portfolio by getting their foot in the door in the other families money. And most of it wasn’t done legally either. There were rumours that they were into the drug scene, had ties to the mafia…”
“So many rumours,” Mercedes adds giddily.
“So, despite the Academy families here doing untoward things in their businesses – it’s private. No one would ever dare talk about such illegal stuff associated with their names, and the businesses they run have been in their elite families for generations... Well, out loud anyway. It’s just an unspoken rule of respect.” She shrugs, before continuing. “So, when The Dawsons come in, trying to get onto the Reeds’ board aiming for the chair – let’s just say all - hell broke loose. The rivalry was always bad, but this just took it to a whole new level.”
I shiver. “And Amber…?”
“Well can you imagine what it would look like if the Queen Bee of this school, the one who is supposed to be in line with the elite, and who has been obsessed with the only son of the Reed name - was sleeping with the enemy?”
I could imagine.
“I mean it just shows how stupid she is, because all she wants is to be by Paxtons side, but does the one thing that would ensure she couldn’t ever be. The only reason anyone would do anything with that family is to piss off the Reeds.” Lucy sneaks a sad look at Mercedes, before turning her attention back to the girls on the field. “Like I said, of course the bitch denied it.”
“Wow. So, what happened after?” I ask curiously, causing Lucy to glance back at me.
“Well, nothing could be proved and well, the Eagles girls didn’t want her skanky hands on their QB either. So, both sides hate each other and it shows on and off the field.”
I glance at the girls retreating from each other on the field, moving back to their places in front of the respective side-lines, when Gabe plonks himself on the end next to Mercedes effectively ending that conversation.
“New record Gabe?” she asks wiggling her brows suggestively.
He shrugs. “I like to hit it and quit it. What can I say? It’s an art form. And also, number nine from the Eagles.”
“See, what did I tell you?” Lucy whispers, causing me to chuckle softly with her.
“What happened to being over casuals?” Mercedes swipes, her brow raised high.
“Well, until my knight-in-shiny-leather-pants knocks me on my ass – I have needs girl,” he shrugs casually, causing us to crack a smile.
Moments later the announcers start, and the crowd roars when the Academy Angels take the field. They jog out in unison, their helmets dangling from their hands, and filling out their maroon jerseys and white tight pants to perfection. But my eyes barely notice anyone except the guy who stands out right in the centre of their pack. His dirty blonde hair effortlessly styled, but still loosely hanging down the side of his face; and that permanent scowl which tells the world to piss off. My heart thumps with every stride of his long legs, that it isn’t until he stops near his coach, that the real world comes crashing down on me in force. That gaze of his, the one that seems to strike through me, looks up towards the crowd, stopping only when it seems pointed in our direction. It was almost like he knew where I was, his eyes penetrating mine so precisely. But that was impossible. He’s looking in this direction sure, but I doubt he really sees us from down there… Right? When Austin joins him, I shake my head, forcing my gaze away from him, along with any thought at all to do with Paxton Reed.
The more I’d heard about him and his family, only reinforced how out of his league I was. So, I straightened my shoulders and tried hard to focus on something else. Anything else. There was no other choice now.
And he’d made sure of that.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Paxton
It’s hard to understand how I knew where Hendrix was sitting, when the sea of people in the crowd all but consumed me. My name was on their lips as they chanted loudly, their eyes taking me in like I was the damn answer to their prayer. Their arms flailing about showing their excitement and their bodies draped in our Academy colours proudly, keen as anything to see us in action. But somehow, through all that shit, I still saw her. Her long hair was down, which only seemed to illuminate her gorgeous face more like she was under her very own spotlight. From here, she looked so meek and innocent, those full lips and big eyes completely overwhelmed by the scene unfolding before her. But she wasn’t that girl. I couldn’t deny the feeling in my chest that she was so much more than that, and every single day she was slipping further and further from my reach.
I’d spent as much of the week trying to avoid her, so I didn’t have to force the scene of Amber and me in front of her. I didn’t even know why I gave a fuck, but I felt guilty e
very time I saw Hendrix avert her gaze from me like the very sight of me was hurting her. She wasn’t mine. But fuck, if I didn’t care that my actions were hurting her in some way. I felt oddly protective of her. She wasn’t like most of the charity cases that were fed to us here. After trawling through her file from our private investigators and what little information I could find on the net, Hendrix James – didn’t have the warm happy home life I expected she would have. There was a lot about Hendrix James that wasn’t what it seemed. She’d had it hard. And that made her worth more than anything because she broke free from the shitty-hand she’d been dealt to build the life she actually wanted. In a lot of ways, she was what I wanted to be. I couldn’t hate her even if I tried to. I fucking envied her and wanted to protect her strength with a type of force that I barely knew I was even capable of feeling.
“Let’s do this fuckers!” Banks hollers, as we take our formations, and I try and focus on the one thing I could actually control in this moment.
Kicking ass on the field.
And fuck, if it didn’t feel good.
The game was close, but we edged out the Eagles by two points, and I’m not too proud to say I fucking owned it out there. And whilst I tried hard not to think about a certain girl in the crowd watching us tonight, I couldn’t deny that I played harder out there knowing that she was.
“Reed! Great game son!” Coach barked, hitting me on my pads. I gritted my teeth hearing my last name and the word ‘son’ coming out of his mouth; but whilst my body was tense – the mask on my face was the indifference I showed too easily. I began tossing my shit in my bag, hearing my teammates commend me, praising my graces like the god they thought I was, as my eyes involuntarily glanced up to the stands where I hoped someone was still watching me. My breath held as our eyes met, and it was the first time I felt my chest puff proudly, like I hoped she thought I played my fucking heart out there tonight. I wanted her to see me for someone other than the shitstorm I’d shown her so far. I wanted her to be proud of everything I left out there. How I bled my soul right here before her and where everyone could see me. I was vulnerable out here. I may have heard the rants and cheers from the team and the crowd trying to swallow me, but it was only her eyes I actually felt.
Right down to my very soul.
“Great game Paxy,” Amber swoons, as she kisses my cheek and grips my forearm. I didn’t react, but I didn’t push her away either; despite every nerve in my body wanting nothing more. I grunted angrily, as it also meant I was forced to tear my eyes off Hendrix like I’d had to for days now. I wanted to bide my time as much as possible with Amber, and let her think she was getting her way until I was sure that Hendrix was safe from any of her backlash. I didn’t know if Amber had planned to use the information she had on Hendrix – but I know Amber. She was a heartless, spoilt rich-girl who enjoyed nothing more than to show everyone she was boss. And that fact alone meant Hendrix wouldn’t be safe from her wrath, and I had to try and make sure that she was.
“Well, isn’t this sweet? The king and queen back together.”
I snarl at the comment from the cocky son-of-a-bitch from the Eagles. The QB Emmett Dawson. A guy I actually had no beef with, other than the fact that our team was fucking better than his. My father had enough issues about the Dawson name in this town – but if anything, I hoped his family stirred the pot a little. Anything to help get my fathers attention off me and my mother. Not that I would ever admit that. Most of his beef with me though, was what went down with Amber when they were fucking. I think he has a big-old soft spot for the devil herself, and hates that I’m in the way of that. Not that I give a shit, and I’m definitely not the one in his way. It’s the politics in this town that wouldn’t allow it to happen. But Amber still denies they were fucking to this very day. But like I said - I couldn’t give a fuck about any of that. Not that anyone else knows that ofcourse.
“And what’s it to you Dawson?” Amber asks, tucking herself closer to my side.
“You’re looking good Amber. Although from memory, you look way better when you’re on your back.”
“You fucking watch yourself you poser!” Banks snaps as he shoves in between us and pushes his chest back. Meaning, I didn’t have to do a damn thing.
“You wanna’ go there rower?” Dawson goads getting in Banks’ face.
I didn’t want Banks fighting him, or thinking he had to protect Amber. Not that he would. Banks didn’t need a reason to get into a fight – he loved the rush like candy to a baby.
“Banks, he aint’ worth it,” I spit, grinding my jaw and playing the part.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think it’s worth it. How would it look if everyone knew what a slut you let parade on your arm?” Dawson bites at me, a smirking grin taking over his pretty-boy face.
“Paxy, are you going to let him speak to me that way?” Amber whines, causing me to shiver internally. I know I needed to keep her on side for now, but I was in no way going to start a fight with this guy when what he is saying is more than true anyway.
“I don’t care what he says. He knows his place. And it’s in second. That’s all that matters.” Now whilst I was mainly talking about the game, he didn’t know that, nor did everyone around me. So, when he threw his weight behind a punch aimed for my cheek suddenly – I was almost not expecting it. Almost. I dodged left, but Austin, the loyal fucker to a fault jumped in and tried to shove him away – copping the hook to his chin instead.
“Fuck it’s on!” Banks yelled, and both teams jumped into a full-on brawl. I heard Amber squeal and dart off somewhere, but my focus was on my friend as I dragged Austin up off the ground.
“You good?” I asked, cupping his nape. He nodded, the shiner already starting to appear on his face.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here.” I jog to the side-line and grab my bag, just as both Coaches and the umpires pull the teams apart.
“Banks!” I holler, grabbing is attention as he throws one last punch into a guys’ stomach before tossing him to the ground.
We take off across the field, ignoring the coaches yelling for us to come back. We wouldn’t get into trouble for this. We never did. But we would cop a reaming from Coach about the fight either way, and I was in no mood to deal with that now when I had enough on my plate already.
“Fuck that felt good! I love smashing those guys!” Banks barks, laughing hysterically like a madman. I didn’t know why he felt this love for violence. I mean, I get it, I had the urge to pummel something on too many occasions too; but I didn’t unleash the fury like he did.
“I say it’s time to party fuckers!” he adds, tossing his things into Rivers car, where he sits in the drivers’ seat patiently and tosses his smoke out the window.
“We’ll meet you there.”
When River tears out of the carpark, causing a dust-haze so thick he was invisible to us, Austin and I slid into my Mustang.
“You sure you’re good?” I ask again, watching as Austin hits his head against the back of the headrest.
“I hate Dawson.”
This I knew, but why – I still didn’t know. We’ve always had a rivalry with the Eagles, but since our last year of high school – Austin had made his hatred for the Lake Shore QB more than known. We all noticed the change, but I’d always put it down to ego and family rivalry. There was some heavy shit going on with our folks, so I assumed maybe Austin had just hit his boiling point. But it’s like that with us. Sometimes we let each other have our own secrets, and sometimes, we share the burden. We trusted eachother enough to know that if it was really important, something that would affect our friendship and all – we would let eachother in. It wasn’t my business to know everything about my friend and what ticked him off, so if he wanted to hate the QB of our enemy – he was more than welcome to. The thing was – I too, expected that same respect in return. It was unspoken, but never truer. But I couldn’t say his reaction tonight, didn’t intrigue me just a little.
“You and me both Aus’, but y
ou know I had him covered.”
I tear out of the carpark, much the same as River had. We headed out of the main town toward the coast, mostly in silence until Austin heaved out a loud breath, like he had been holding onto it for some time.
“I couldn’t let people hear that fuckwit talking shit about your girl like that,” he grunts quietly like he knew what he was saying was only an excuse.
“You know I couldn’t give a fuck what he says about Amber. I’ve told you what’s that’s about with her.”
“He still had it coming…” he mutters, not offering anything further.
“You sure you want to come tonight?”
“Fuck yeah. A tonne of alcohol is exactly what I need.”
And for the first time in awhile, I couldn’t agree more.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hendrix
As we headed to the after party at the beach, I felt jittery in the backseat of Lucys’ car like my entire body was covered in ants making me squirm. Whilst I enjoyed the game more than I thought I would, the atmosphere, and the laughs between my new friends – my mind was stuck on the events that unfolded afterwards. We were frozen in the bleachers as the two teams got into a full-on brawl, my stomach sinking violently, for two main reasons. The first, was that it appeared the fight was between that Dawson guy and Paxton (and over Amber no less) and the second, was that I felt sick when I saw Austin take a solid hit to the face which resulted in him being knocked to the ground. Lucy, Mercedes and I all jerked to our feet with a shocking gasp as his body fell lifelessly, but moments later Paxton took off with him toward the carpark. I couldn’t help it, but the big-lug was a kind of friend to me now, and I really wanted to make sure he was okay. I understood violence more than a girl my age should, and knew how each strike felt instinctively. That every second both Paxton and Austin were down there felt more like an eternity.
Broken Wing (Arthur Academy Book 1) Page 17
