Gold (All that Glitters #2)(23)

Right before the end of the first half, the cheerleaders were jostled closer to the football team to accommodate the marching band and all the alumni members of the football team, band, and auxiliaries—dance team, flag line, and baton twirlers. A figure moved to stand next to her, and she glanced up, surprised to see Eric.

“What?” she demanded. She was already on edge, and she and Eric did nothing but argue. “I’m really not in the mood today.”

Eric frowned. “I was coming to see if your dad was here. Coach wanted to talk to him after the game, but he wasn’t listed with the alumni players.”

“Yeah, he’s not here.”

“All right. I thought you said he was coming.”

Bryna closed her eyes and breathed out before answering, “My stepmother is sick, so he couldn’t make it.”

“I see. I hope she’s okay,” he said with sincere concern in his voice.

She rolled her eyes. “I hope she falls into a vat of acid.”

“That’s pleasant,” Eric drawled. “What did she do to you?”

“Nothing. Broke up my parents, married my dad, and moved into my mother’s house.”

“So then, that’s your stepbrother?” he asked, pointing to Pace.

Bryna nodded. “Unfortunately. Why?”

“They’ve been recruiting him. I think he’s going to be here next year.”

“Don’t f*cking remind me,” she grumbled. “I can’t stand the thought of that creep being here.”

“He’s a good ball player.”

“So was O.J. Simpson,” Bryna deadpanned.

Eric actually laughed out loud. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. His whole body seemed to relax with it. “That’s true.”

Suddenly, Bryna felt uncomfortable. She wasn’t supposed to be comfortable around Eric Wilkins. He was the prick who always picked fights with her. She knew his secrets, and he despised her for being that girl.

“Anyway, Pace is an *,” Bryna said.

“I noticed that.”

Bryna looked up at him in shock. Most people thought Pace was an angel. He put on a good act. She didn’t think many other people could see through it. Certainly, no one in high school had. Her own father couldn’t see through the bullshit.

“Well, have to go. Thought I’d check for Coach,” Eric said quickly before disappearing into the crowd of football players running toward the locker room.

Pace approached her at the end of the game after the Gamblers had come out victorious, and she did everything she could not to scratch his eyes out. Being around him made everything worse. She was going to have to find a way to get him to leave.

“Good game,” Pace said. “I’m really liking it here, sis.”

He blatantly leered at her in her cheer uniform, and she momentarily wished she were more covered up. He was so disgusting.

“Don’t get any ideas, *. You’re not coming here next year.” She hoped that saying it out loud would make it a reality.

“Oh, I have plenty of ideas,” he said, looking her up and down.

“You’re disgusting.”

“Babe!” Andrew cried. He appeared at her side in that moment.

Without a second thought, he threw his arm around her waist and crushed his lips down onto hers. She breathed in the kiss in slight horror because Pace was watching. He had made it clear that he was out to sabotage her all over again. She didn’t want him to sit around and watch everyone who was in her life.

She took a step back when he released her. “Hey.”

“Who’s this?” Andrew nodded his head at Pace.

“I’m her brother,” Pace assured him.

“Stepbrother.”

“Cool, man!” Andrew cried.

“I didn’t know Bri was dating anyone,” Pace said. He sent Bryna a questioning look.

“We’re not dating,” Bryna said automatically. She had been saying it since Andrew told everyone they were sleeping together.

Andrew seemed to believe her less and less.

“Same old, same old, huh, Bri?” Pace asked.

“Fuck off, Pace,” she snarled. “Come on, Andrew. Let’s get out of here.”

Pace laughed at her retreating back. “See you tonight at Posse.”

She shook her head and kept walking. She was not going to let him get to her any more than he’d already had.

“What was that all about?” Andrew asked once they were a safe distance away from Pace.

“Nothing. He’s an *, but he wants to play football here next year.”

“Cool!” Andrew said.

It was as if he hadn’t heard a word she said besides football. Ugh!

“Oh my God!” Stacia shrieked. She rushed toward them and attached herself to Bryna’s other arm. “Who was that guy? He’s mega hot!”

“Stepbrother, S. Don’t touch him with a ten-foot pole,” Bryna demanded.

She stuck her bottom lip out. “You ruin all the fun!”

“He’s still in high school anyway.” For two more months. If she could help it, he wouldn’t end up here.

Stacia shrugged. “Fine. Forget I mentioned it. Let’s find Trihn and get ready for Posse tonight! Sorry, Andrew, I need to steal your girl.”