I hadn’t had a chance to see who was around or who was listening to our conversation. Frankly, I could care less about gossip anyway. But after Emma’s statement, I surveyed the students nearby and found Quinn standing several lockers down and across from me.
She blinked my way, and pain gripped my chest. I felt awful that I’d given her two black eyes. Nevertheless, I didn’t know what to make of the girl who had pin-straight butterscotch hair. She’d rendered me speechless the day before when she’d spouted off facts about the Celtics. I’d wondered all night what else she knew about the game. Maybe her knowledge of the game was the reason she’d been surprised that I played ball.
Tessa waltzed up to Quinn, and everyone in the hall stopped what they were doing. “What happened to you? Did one of your pigs get the best of you?” She laughed hysterically.
Celia, who was hanging with Quinn, said, “Get lost, Tessa.”
“You’re just as frumpy as she is. Oh, and you’re off the cheerleading team,” Tess said with pride.
Celia rolled her eyes. “I already quit. Remember?”
Quinn hugged the books in her arms as though she were trying hard not to give Tessa a shiner.
Tessa pursed her lips. “Both of you are lowlifes.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and left Celia and Quinn standing in the dust.
I clenched my fists to prevent myself from saying something. I didn’t get in the middle of fights, especially where girls were concerned. But girls became a memory when I spotted Chase bobbing his way toward me.
The warning bell rang.
Emma and Ethan said goodbye, oblivious to Chase storming through the crowd, which was dispersing in all directions like rats in a sewer.
I was only two doors down from my first-period class, so I didn’t have far to go.
With his wet mud-colored hair, he settled in front of me, crossing his arms over his letter jacket. “We don’t need you on the team. So stay away.”
When I’d gotten out of bed that morning, I’d made the decision not to play. I’d decided to take the year off and work. I’d also decided that I would take the job offer at the farm for the holidays, but only because I liked Liam. I wasn’t sure yet about his brother, Carter. Not only that, I’d overheard Mom talking with her sister about moving to Georgia, but not until the school year was over, which was one reason I didn’t want to get too involved in sports only to be uprooted once again.
But considering Chase’s glower, I was wavering in my decision. Maybe I would show Coach Dean what skills I had on the court. Playing would also keep my shooting game in tip-top shape.
I was about to reply when I spied Quinn and Celia walking over.
Chase followed my line of sight. Then he let out a laugh that could probably be heard in the next town over.
Quinn’s cheeks turned red.
Celia snarled. “Say one smart-ass thing, Chase, and I’ll knee you in the balls.”
Chase didn’t pay Celia any attention. Instead, his laughter died as he rested a finger underneath Quinn’s chin. “Who did this to you?” He sounded as if he cared. “Tell me, and I’ll take care of them.”
Quinn’s forehead furrowed.
Mine did as well.
In one breath, Chase was an ass, and then in the next, he was genuinely concerned. Whatever his reasons were, I didn’t like him touching her.
I grabbed Chase’s arm. “Leave her alone.”
Chase shrugged out of my hold. “Or what, Maxwell? If you think you can swagger into Kensington and take over, you’re wrong. I own this school. So don’t get any ideas that you or your siblings can do what you want here.”
I laughed. I wasn’t one to get into fights or even throw the first punch. I tried to mind my own business, play basketball, take care of my siblings, help Mom, and hang out with my friends. But I didn’t have any friends at that school. I wasn’t playing basketball, and for some reason, I didn’t want to mind my own business. Since my dad had passed, anger had been building inside me, bubbling and simmering underneath the grief and sadness.
Whether or not Chase was an excuse to unleash my ire, he deserved to be taken down a notch.
Before I could respond, Quinn’s small, soft hand was in mine. “He’s not worth it.”
Chase’s face twisted as he laughed. The sound felt like a sharp knife piercing my skin. “Quinn, you know very well you don’t stand a chance against my sister, Tessa. She will swallow Maxwell up and spit him out, and then he’ll be mincemeat to you. Besides, you’re better with me.”
Quinn giggled as her hand tightened around mine.
I almost choked. Things were starting to make sense. Chase was just as domineering and cocky as his sister. Still, he sounded confident that I would date his sister. Hell would freeze over before that happened.
Quinn made a low noise in the back of her throat.
I should’ve defended her honor, but she had me riveted to the floor. I liked how her hand felt in mine—soft, calm, and delicate. For someone who came off as shy and stuttering and spat out facts easily, she was certainly showing a side of her that I would guess was shocking her more than me.
She squeezed my hand as tightly as she could. “Your sister can do all the damage she wants.” No mincing words that time.
“Hell, yeah,” Celia shouted.
The hall had thinned out, but a few onlookers hung back, watching.
Chase’s nostrils were moving in and out. “For your sake, Quinn, I hope she doesn’t do too much to you. We all know how you run anytime she picks on you.”
Her grip tightened even more on my hand.
I got in Chase’s face. “How pathetic that you have to stoop to threatening a girl. If you want to take this outside, I would be more than happy to oblige.”
Quinn let go of my hand, slipped in between Chase and me, and used her whole body to push me back. I went willingly, or else I would have shoved the dude into a locker. I didn’t have anything to lose except disappointing my mom, which I didn’t want to do. But she would understand if I were defending a girl’s honor. Hell, my dad would’ve been proud of me.
“T-tell your s-sister she can give me her best shot.”
I smiled as Quinn exhibited her toughness through her nerves. I was also shouting “way to go” in my head.
Chase studied Quinn as if she were nonhuman.
A teacher, short and chubby, cleared her throat. “Quinn, inside. The final bell is about to ring.”
Without so much as a passing glance, Quinn scurried into class.
Chase and I were in a standoff until the bell rang.
“This isn’t over,” Chase announced in a hushed whisper.
I didn’t think it was. “I’ll see you on the court, then.”
He reared back, shook his head, then stalked off.
I couldn’t say what he was thinking, but one thing was certain—he would see me on the basketball court.
The entire school day dragged by like the slow-moving turtle I had in my aquarium at home. I felt as if I hadn’t been able to breathe since I walked through the school doors that morning, actually since Tessa had practically thrown herself at Maiken in the hall. It wasn’t hard to hear that she’d invited him to her annual holiday gala. Her parents always hosted the rich, richer, and richest to their estate during the holidays. My family wasn’t on that list. I couldn’t say I was surprised that Tessa had asked Maiken. After all, he was a Maxwell, and they had money, or at least Eleanor and Martin were wealthy.
Regardless of stature, I’d been searching out Maiken any chance I had. I wanted to apologize to him. I’d never intended to grab his hand. Frankly, that move had shocked the lights out of me. I wasn’t that type of girl. But for some odd reason, when Chase had been throwing down the gauntlet at Maiken then me, my hand had had a mind of its own.
Normally, my modus operandi was to cower. But I realized my breaking point was Maiken. He somehow had given me the courage to stand up to Chase. I wasn’t sure if it was a fluke or not.
/> Regardless, I tapped my chest a couple of times, took in a gulp of the stale air that always lingered in the sports complex, then expelled it from my lungs.
I could hear the cheerleaders practicing inside the gym. They weren’t as loud as the whistle Coach Dean kept blowing. I peeked in through the sliver of a glass pane on the door. I was there to meet Liam and nothing more. He was my ride home.
Tessa and the rest of the cheerleaders were watching head cheerleader Brianna Masters do a routine.
My gaze shifted from the squad to the court. My heart did a little dance when I spotted Maiken going in for a layup only to be blocked by Chase. I was curious if Maiken had decided to play because I’d told him to. As soon as that thought entered my mind, it left quickly. The only one who actually did as I said was my dog, Bo.
The boys pushed each other before Chase waved at Maiken in a taunting gesture.
Coach Dean blew his whistle. For a second, neither boy moved. They just continued staring each other down. I wouldn’t even begin to guess who would win a fight. Chase and Maiken were the same build.
The high-pitched sound of the whistle trilled again. Liam darted down the court to Maiken and Chase. I rushed into the gym as if I could stop a brawl. The cheerleaders seemed to be holding their breath as Coach Dean stomped to midcourt.
“Stevens and Maxwell,” Coach yelled. “Get your asses over here.”
“Maiken, this isn’t the way to get on the team,” Liam said.
I spotted Celia in the stands, sitting by herself as she too waited for one of the boys to throw the first punch. I climbed up two rows and joined her, biting my lip.
She quickly regarded me. “Maiken would win for sure.”
Maybe so, but I didn’t want to see anyone get hurt.
Maiken wiped the sweat from his forehead with his T-shirt. The anger on his face could probably frighten one of my farm animals.
Maiken jogged to center court. Chase took his time. He too had tons of tension jumping off him.
I wanted to scream at them both. But I wasn’t the right person to knock some sense into them. I was the one who ran from confrontation, although I hadn’t that morning with Chase. As I recalled how I’d stood up to him, I felt as if a pack of wolves were chomping on the inside of my stomach, mainly because if Chase had relayed my message to Tessa, I wasn’t ready for her to give me her best shot. I wished I could take back what I’d said.
The team huddled around Coach Dean. He launched into plays rather than reprimand anyone, although he had no tolerance for fighting. He’d almost kicked Liam off the baseball team one year for doing just that with a boy who no longer attended Kensington.
“I can’t believe I ever wanted to be a cheerleader,” Celia said in a low voice. “Look how some of them appear scared.”
“Well, Tessa has that effect,” I said. Brianna wasn’t much different, but she wasn’t as bad as Tessa, although Brianna didn’t take flack from Tessa, and the only reason Tessa didn’t spit fire at Brianna was due to Brianna’s seniority as captain of the squad.
Celia leaned back to rest her elbows on the bleachers behind her. “Was I like that when I was cheerleading?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t pay much attention.” Only because I was so mad at her for ruining our friendship. “What are you doing in the gym anyway? I thought you were going to help your mom at the bakery.”
Her mom owned a bakery in town that was always busy from early morning to early afternoon. She closed at about the time school let out then baked and prepped for the crowd the next day. My mom often purchased baked goods from her to sell in the farm store.
“I wanted to talk to Liam and apologize for coming on too strong,” she said.
I sought out my brother, who was facing me and standing next to Maiken. But Liam became a dot in my vision when Maiken looked over and waved at me.
“He likes you,” Celia said. “And by the way, I know I’ve said this a million times today, but I’m proud of how you stood up to Chase. Oh, and how you held Maiken’s hand.” She let out a dreamy sigh.
I couldn’t believe myself either. His hand was strong, big, and warm. I’d wanted to hold his hand forever.
Celia tapped me on the arm. “Here comes trouble.”
I flinched out of my daydreaming to find Tessa ambling our way.
Argh!
She fixed her high ponytail. “You’ll never get him, Quinn. Remember, Quinn never wins.”
“He d-d-doesn’t like you.” I used my church voice.
She pouted, sticking out her red bottom lip. She always wore bright-red lipstick. “Aw, she still stutters.” Then her face turned mean and evil. “Come anywhere near my territory, and the next three years of high school will be hell for you.” She left before I could respond.
Then again, I didn’t think I could speak. She had that effect on me. What happened to sticking up for yourself? I couldn’t worry about that. What bothered me more was what Tessa would do if I continued to show interest in Maiken. So far, words had been her only weapon, and she belittled me every chance she got. But I was afraid she would do more to win Maiken over. Sure, Emma had said her brother was only being polite to Tessa when he’d smiled at her, but he was a boy, and Tessa was a pretty girl.
Maybe Momma was right. I should skate again. Maybe then I could beat Tessa at something and shut her up so she would leave me alone. But as the thought occurred to me, I dismissed it for all the reasons I’d listed—money, time, and my schoolwork would suffer.
“She isn’t going to let up. Is she?” I asked Celia.
“Unfortunately, Tessa will always be a thorn in your side unless you show her you can stand up to her.”
I believed I was damned if I did and damned if I didn’t. If I stood up to her, she would only get witchier. If I ignored her like I had been, she would continue to lash out here and there. The key was not to bring attention to myself by talking to Maiken or showing that I was interested in him.
You’re supposed to have fun in high school. What kind of fun is that? You already held his hand. He waved at you. He seems different than the other boys who just want to get in a girl’s pants.
Or maybe Maiken had stuck up for me with Chase because he felt sorry that he’d given me black eyes. Maybe that was why he’d waved at me a few minutes ago.
My dilemma vanished when Maiken came over with Liam in tow.
“Maiken is going to work at the farm.” Liam sounded excited, as if he’d just gotten the new truck he’d been wanting.
Celia and I swapped a wide-eyed look. Then Celia hopped up. “It’s time to get Maiken familiar with farm animals.”
Maiken’s fear shined brighter than the sheen of sweat coating his face. “Is there an initiation before I can start? Aren’t I only helping customers load trees in their cars?”
Liam, Celia, and I busted out laughing.
Liam slapped Maiken on the back. “Part of helping is cleaning out the pigsty.”
Maiken’s jaw came unhinged. “You’re kidding, right?”
It was fun to tease Maiken, but I didn’t want to scare him off. “Of course he’s kidding.”
Chase hustled over.
Maiken blocked him from my view. “What do you want?” His tone was brittle.
Chase scooted around Maiken. “Quinn, I wanted to apologize for this morning.”
If I was surprised that Maiken would be working at the farm, I was even more dumbfounded that Chase was apologizing. Then I realized Liam or Carter must’ve heard what happened earlier that day and had probably put the fear of God into Chase.
When Chase regarded Liam, I knew I was right. But I wasn’t about to condemn Chase for his apology, even though it was forced. So I said thank you like a proper girl would and smiled.
He left without even spitting out barbs at Maiken like he had before school. I should have also thanked Chase for being his evil self. He’d forced me to step out of my comfort zone. But I tabled that thought and focused on Maiken, who was shrugging on his
sweatshirt and collecting his sports bag.
Celia nudged me with her shoulder. “Go talk to him.”
I could count on one hand the number of boys I’d liked and not had the nerve to talk to—one, Alex Baker. I did want to apologize to Maiken, though, but when Liam and Celia strolled out of the gym, leaving Maiken and me alone, my mouth became bone dry.
The other players and cheerleaders had left. Even Coach Dean had packed up and was nowhere to be seen.
Maiken hiked his bag over his shoulder as he closed the distance between us. His hair was damp with sweat, his cheeks were rose-colored, and his wolfish grin was heart-stopping. “So do I need to know about the farm animals or clean the pigsty?”
I smothered a giggle as my nerves took over. “Did you know pigs are smarter than dogs?”
He let out a loud laugh, warm and infectious. “My sister Charlotte would love you.”
“How many siblings do you have?” Momma had mentioned a number, but all I could remember when she started talking about how the Maxwell family was growing was something about fielding a team.
“Seven,” he said as we walked out of the gym.
Silence followed us outside and into the freezing cold. Maiken visibly shivered.
I couldn’t say I was immune to the cold temps, but they didn’t bother me as much as they would someone who had moved there from a warmer climate.
Without thinking, I grasped his hand then froze like an ice sculpture. I swallowed the fur ball that had suddenly collected in my throat. Twice in one day. The first time I’d held his hand might have been an accident, but the second time might mean it was becoming a habit—one that would keep a smile on my face and tingles in my belly.
Regardless, I immediately withdrew my hand. “I d-didn’t mean to do that.”
He grinned, and his blue eyes brightened like the sun at dawn. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re different.”
I pursed my lips, hunching into myself. It was hard for a shy girl like me not to take that the wrong way. Not only that, but one of the football players had said the very same thing to me before he asked me out when those nasty rumors were going around school about me being an easy target to get under the covers.
My Heart To Touch: A Maxwell Family Saga - Book One Page 6
