The Stand-In Boyfriend (Grove Valley High #1)(71)

“Actually, Jessie should just come over too,” Aaron says.

I shake my head. It’s too late now, and besides, I’m pretty sure Jessie just wants to hang out alone—and so do I. I want to find out what’s happening with Courtney, and I could do with putting some distance between me and Chase. “Nah, we already made plans.”

Sophie turns to me. “You’re right, I’ll be there.”

“You really don’t have to. You’ll have more fun with Mark.”

She snorts. “Well I know that, but Chase might have a heart attack thinking of you and Jessie alone together. It’s best I’m there to babysit.”

I glare at her. What the hell is she talking about? Yes, I know Chase isn’t Jessie’s biggest fan, but she knows Chase and I are only faking it and we definitely do not need a babysitter. Plus, as much as I’d like to think Jessie can’t resist me, he’s proven that’s not the case numerous times. I’m starting to think more and more that Chase and I should just end this, no matter what he says about Courtney and Jessie. I hate to think of us not hanging out together so much, but the more I consider it, the more complicated everything seems to be getting. “Don’t be ridiculous,” I tell her.

She waves me off and straightens up, looking over my shoulder. I turn to see Abigail approaching with Sarah and Sasha and just about manage to hide my inner groan. She hasn’t said anything to me since Chase talked to her, but I can always feel her glaring at me and I just know she’s waiting for me to mess up in some way.

“Hey,” she greets Aaron, barely even looking at me. “What time later?”

Aaron’s eyes swing to me, but I don’t say anything. I don’t care if Abigail hangs out with them tonight. It’s her who’s turning us into rivals, not me. “Um…”

Abigail’s eyes narrow on him and she turns to me. “What? I’m not even allowed to hang out with my friends now because of you?”

I blink. “I’m not going.” I force my voice to stay steady. She always makes me so nervous. “You can do what you want.”

“Oh, thanks Livy—so glad I have your permission.”

I swallow while Sophie scowls. “Back off,” she tells her.

“Livy!”

I turn around and see Hallie hurtling toward me. Her entire face is lit up and she has Maria and Tia trailing after her.

“Did you hear?” she demands, inching her way into our group so she’s closer to me.

I shake my head. I have no clue what she’s talking about.

“Kelly Raynore is coming to town and agreed to run a practice with the team.”

I swear I nearly fall over. “What?”

She jumps up and down, the giddiest I’ve ever seen her. “I tweeted her last night to say I loved her and she should come see us when she’s in town and she replied and said she’s here next Wednesday and would love to run a session with us. Coach just confirmed it!”

“Oh my God!” Kelly Raynore is one of the stars of the US women’s team. She might be far from the best known of female athletes, but she’s one of my heroes, and she’s from right here in Florida. “Oh my God, that’s amazing!”

“I know!” she tells me excitedly. “I actually love her. I need to go tell the others.”

She turns around and starts to follow Tia and Maria away when Abigail mutters, “Dyke,” just loud enough for us all to hear.

I feel like all the air has been sucked out of me. She didn’t really just say that, did she? She did not just say that to my friend.

Hallie freezes, dead still, and I see Tia and Maria slowly turn around, eyes narrowed in on Abigail. Sophie has her mouth hanging open in disbelief, and Aaron and the rest of the guys are looking at Abigail in disdain. She just gazes around defiantly, not taking it back, not looking guilty. She clearly doesn’t give a damn about what she just said or how much she could have just hurt Hallie.

“What did you say?” I ask, my voice ice cold.

Abigail looks bored. “What? It’s not like it’s not true.”

She has got to be kidding. “Apologize,” I demand firmly.

Abigail scoffs and turns to face me fully, her eyes meeting mine. “What for? It’s not a lie. We’ve all seen the way she follows Sophie around like a puppy. She might as well just admit it.”

There’s a shocked gasp from Sophie and when I glance at Hallie, she has her lips pressed together in a thin line as she blinks rapidly, trying to stop the tears from falling.

How dare she? How dare she say something like that in front of all these people when she doesn’t even know Hallie? How dare she question Hallie’s sexuality when it’s something Hallie has never even mentioned to her own friends?

Abigail shrugs like she hasn’t a care in the world. “We all know she’s a dyke. I mean, look at what she wears.”

That is it. That’s too far.

“That ‘dyke’ happens to be one of my best friends,” I tell her, stepping closer. My voice might be low, but no one else utters a word and they can all hear what I’m saying. “And why do you think that, huh? Because she doesn’t walk around with her chest, legs, and stomach out all the time? Because she’s stronger than any of the guys here right now and is able to defend herself against anyone and anything? Because she cares more about looking after her grandparents in the morning than spending an hour getting ready for school?” I shake my head. “You didn’t know any of that, did you?” I take another step forward. “Or is it because she’s a soccer player? Because that soccer player took us to state last year. She’s the one who got us there, who dragged all of us along with her and never once blamed any of us when I missed an open goal and Tia got sent off for a dirty tackle, because she never would. She would never blame us. She’s the one who led us to the state finals this year and made sure we won it, because she led by example. That soccer player is the one who is going to be remembered in this school long after she’s gone for being the best female player we’ve ever had, for getting a full-ride to one of the best colleges in the country, and I’d bet money on her one day representing our country.” I’m breathless but I take another step closer to her, my eyes staring into hers. “You won’t be remembered, Abigail, I can promise you that. You might be remembered for a year or two as the biggest bitch this school has ever seen, but it certainly won’t be for anything good.”