When Our Worlds Collide (Our Worlds #1)(103)

“Kennedy’s looking pretty hot lately. I should have gotten in that when I had the chance. She practically begged me, you know.” I grab Craig by his baseball jersey slamming him against the metal lockers.

All of our teammates sit watching, waiting for me to throw a punch. I want to. I would have found great pleasure in breaking his nose. I’m not going to let some worthless dickhead take away what I’ve worked hard for. Tonight’s game is too important.

I still have ahold of his jersey as I slam his body back a little rougher this time against the lockers. “Don’t you ever speak about Kennedy like that again. Don’t look at her in the hallways. Don’t talk to her. Don’t even think about her,” I yell causing everyone’s watchful eyes to bulge from their sockets.

Craig shoves me back causing me to take a few steps to balance myself. He leaves the locker room before I can say anything else. My teammates give me the much needed distance. No one asks any questions or makes any comments. I don’t like the way he talked about Kennedy, what he insinuated. There’s this menacing gleam in his eyes every time her name passes his lips.

I turned away from everyone’s questioning glances and plug my headphones back in. Let The Bodies Hit the Floor screams into my ears. I need to relax before I blow my one shot out of this town. Dan walks up beside me leaning against the locker beside mine. I know he has something to say. He always has something to say.

“Just spit it out, man,” I sit down on the bench resting my head in my hands. He follows me sitting down next to me.

“What was that all about? First you punch him in the hallway when you and Kennedy first get together and now this? You haven’t gone to any of his parties. You avoid talking to him at all cost, so what’s the deal?” Dan questions my recent behavior.

Should I tell him? Trusting him isn’t the issue. It isn’t my story to tell, but it would be nice to have someone else to watch out for Craig for me after his little outburst. I’m going to have to ask Kennedy if he’s said anything to her. When I’m around he keeps his distance. I still catch him watching her from now and then. Nothing to significant. Just enough to piss me off.

“It’s nothing. Craig’s just been acting differently these days. I don’t like it,” I brush off his question.

“That’s bullshit. Remember that Craig was your best friend before Kennedy came along. Whatever it is it can’t be that bad.” Dan pats me on the shoulder leaving the locker room to head towards the field.

It can’t be that bad? If he only knew just how bad it actually is. It’s times like these that I wish Kennedy would just tell someone. She should have reported it the night it happened. I can’t ask her to though. I’d be a hypocrite. I can’t manage to tell a soul about my father, so why should I expect her to tell her secret. We are one in the same.

My anger is at a whole different level at this point. I can’t stop my fist from slamming into the locker in front of me, not really caring if I fuck up my hand. I’m angry at my father for beating the shit out of me. I’m angry at my mother for not saying a damn word about it. I’m angry at Craig for what he has done to Kennedy and I’m angry at Kennedy for not doing anything about it. I’m finding myself becoming more and more angry about everything. At one point all these secrets are going to catch up to Kennedy and me. It’s all going to boil over and we’ll both get burnt.

I run out of the locker room and nearly crash into Coach. “Whoa, slow down,” he yells as I practically bulldoze him.

“Sorry, just have a lot on my mind. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going,” I explain shaking out my sore hand.

“Everything okay?” He asked while looking me over again like he had in his office. If he only knew that I just punched a metal locker he’d probably beat the shit out of me.

“Yeah, just nerves.” I don’t stick around to have any more of that conversation. Ever since he’s called me into his office he’s been too attentive. He even called me over after practice one day this week just to see how things were going. Coach is always getting into our business, but he is usually more subtle about it.

I reach the field scanning the field for Kennedy. She always stands in the same spot on the fence beside Violet. I don’t see Violet standing with her. Craig’s leaning against the fence. He obviously doesn’t understand what I mean by don’t talk to her or go near her. This is the last shit I need right now.

Kennedy notices me before he does. A nervous tense expression is readable all over her beautifully innocent face. What the hell was he saying to her that made her uneasy? She glances between the two of us leaving Craig standing on the fence. She makes her way over to me. Craig turns to grin at me.

Piece of shit.

“Graham…” Kennedy grabs my attention.

“What the fuck is he doing talking to you?” I yell loud enough to gain the attention of the crowd that is gathering around the bleachers. Kennedy comes through the fence running directly into my arms. Coach will yell at her if he sees her on the field this close to game time.

“Listen to me, don’t worry about him. I’ll explain everything later, but it’s under control. I think he’s just trying to get a rise out of you and it’s obviously working,” she whispers in my ear while still being wrapped in my arms.

“Yeah he’s getting a rise out of me. I practically kicked his ass in the locker room before he came out here.”