Scoring Wilder(54)

"All right, rookies. Today we thought you three should learn the art of hygiene," Tara began, pulling three unopened toothbrushes out of her purse.

What was she talking about?

"Those field house bathrooms could be a lot cleaner," she continued, handing us each a toothbrush. "So we'd like each of you to clean a stall, and then when that's done, you can tackle the bathroom floor."

Becca groaned. "I'm sorry, do you think you can get away with this? The costumes were funny, ha-ha. You had your fun, but this is ridiculous and you know it."

Emily just stood there gaping, like she couldn't believe the circumstances she'd stumbled into. I felt guilt hit my stomach. She wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.

"Becca is right. I'm not doing this. You guys have watched too many ‘90s movies," I said, tossing the toothbrush to the ground. Tara could kiss my ass.

Tara's gaze traveled from the toothbrush sitting on the ground, slowly up to my eyes. The sardonic grin eclipsing her features was a warning of things to come.

"Come talk to me for a second, Bryant," Tara said, wagging her finger and turning to walk away so we could talk in private. I followed after her, mainly so I could tell her how crazy she was without being overheard by anyone else, but the next thing out of her mouth stopped me dead in my tracks.

"If you don't pick that toothbrush up and follow my orders as your captain, I'll have no choice but to go to Coach Davis with some disturbing news."

I rolled my eyes. "What are you talking about, Tara?"

She ran her finger back and forth across her lips, and in that moment, I realized how truly cold-hearted she actually was.

"Let me tell you what I'd be forced to tell Coach Davis," she began, making sure to keep her voice soft enough that no one could overhear her, "I went to a party the other night and saw both you and Liam there. That wasn't a big deal considering it was an LA Stars party, but then to my horror, I saw the two of you go into his room, and when you came out it was very clear that the two of had been having sex. Now, because I'm not sure how intelligent you are concerning this matter, I'll spell it out for you.” I bristled at her harsh tone. “Liam makes most of his money from endorsement deals— Endorsement deals that are completely contingent on his public image. The LA Stars might not drop him, but you better believe those companies wouldn’t want him as a liability. He was supposed to be volunteering not trying to get laid. And you, our sweet little rookie, would be kicked off the ULA team so fast you wouldn't even have time to clean out your locker. Coach Davis made it perfectly clear that any relationship between a coach and a team member was off-limits."

In case that wasn’t enough, she just kept adding layers of icing to the cake as the blood drained from my face.

“Can you even imagine the headlines they’ll run? LA Stars player takes advantage of ULA freshman…”

I stood there, gaping and trying to piece together just how conniving one person could be.

"Oh, and I have quite a few witnesses that can back up my claim. I mean, how stupid could you be to have sex at a freaking LA Stars party? Really, Kinsley, you made it all just too easy."

I looked up into her narrowed eyes. "You're such a bitch."

Her smile told me she took that as a compliment. "I hope you like cleaning toilets, Bryant," she said before turning on her heel and heading back to the group. I didn't say a word. There was nothing to say. In that moment, Tara held all the cards. But soon the tables would shift. I wasn’t going to let her get away with it. There was a way to beat her at her own game, but not until I had time to think over my options. With my chin raised, I walked back over, bent down, grabbed the toothbrush off the concrete, and headed to the bathroom without a word.

When Emily and Becca followed me after a moment, their gazes bored into the side of my head.

"I'm really sorry, guys," I muttered, opening the toothbrush. This was freaking ridiculous. How did Tara have time in her day to mastermind shit like this?

"It's not your fault," Emily answered with a frown. Poor Emily, she had no clue what I'd brought her into.

Becca caught my eye and I sighed. "I'll explain it later," I mouthed, and she nodded solemnly.

It was the worst morning of my life and it was hardly 5:00 A.M. I reluctantly tore open my toothbrush and got to work in the bathroom, letting my mind wander toward ways of torturing Tara to death. I was thinking that old fashion method where the four horses pull your body apart would fit nicely for her.

To ensure that we were actually cleaning, Tara would check up on us every few minutes. She’d poke their head in, mutter a snide comment, and then leave again. After what felt like hours, she finally came in and told us to stop.

"That’s enough. We're going to go run some laps before practice."

The three of us followed behind her and I could hear Emily sniffling behind her. Tara was making her cry. I was making her cry.

"Emily, it's okay. I'll run for you like last time."

Tara laughed. "No, Bryant, I think you three should all run. I think your friends should realize how selfish you really are."

The word selfish struck a chord as Emily’s tears ran down her cheeks. Was I being selfish for pursuing a relationship with Liam? I didn’t think it would hurt anyone.