Page 36 of Her Devils

I watch Kiara leave, her fists clenched as she mutters angrily that this isn’t fair.

We all exhale, relieved that the drama is over, at least for now.

“This is why mixing work and sentimental relationships is never a good idea,” Kyle remarks. “I guess some people will have to learn this the hard way. I’m going to double-check the diving lineup and see if the team needs anything last minute. See you at jumping time.”

I don’t know whether or not Kyle meant what he just said as a dig to Mom and Kenneth.

Mom looks at her business partner and co-owner for a long moment before pinching the bridge of her nose and taking a deep, calming breath. “See you in a second, girls,” she says, getting inside the bus with her eyes fixed on her phone that just pinged with a text message.

“What the fuck just happened?” I ask Sarah once we’re alone in front of the Cove Angels’ bus.

She shrugs, showing me her phone, which is opened on a social media post. “I know just as much as you do. Kiara came here screaming at Darrius. Someone posted this video last night and tagged her.”

I watch footage of what I assume was last night’s meet and greet. Darrius is at the bar, obviously flirting with a blonde in a pink latex minidress.

Their faces are extremely close to each other as he leans in to whisper something in her ear. The girl giggles, and they leave hand in hand, headed toward the bathroom building right outside the tent. Darrius opens the door and ushers the girl inside.

We keep watching as the video speeds up, showing different people coming in and out of the building.

The reel goes back to normal speed ten minutes later, when the pair comes out of the main door.

Darrius zips up the fly of his jeans before wrapping his arm around the girl and walking out of the frame for a few moments. We see them again as they kiss right before they board the shuttle for the hotel.

“I know I shouldn’t feel sorry for Kiara, but fuck,” I say. “I thought Darrius really liked her.”

Sarah doesn’t share my feelings of partial solidarity toward our ex-bestie. “I’m just going to say that she’s getting what she deserves. Kiara might be a bitch, but so is karma, and I don’t feel sorry for her. Besides, she knew full well that Darrius wasn’t known for being the best boyfriend material before she decided to stab you in the back while you were away.”

I look at my best friend. “What do you mean?”

Sarah sighs, pulling me into a side hug. “I know you’ve always thought that Darrius was perfect, and he could do no wrong in your eyes, but come on, Len. Since you came back from France, you must have heard the gossip. Why do you think he and Lisa were on and off all the time? Rumor has it that he cheated whenever he was away at competitions.”

I admit that I heard some stuff once I came back from France, especially from Peyton and the Devils. “I don’t know, Sarah. I guess I thought the rumors were exaggerations, but I’ve been seeing a totally different side to Darrius since I came back.”

“All I can say is that maybe him turning you down wasn’t so bad after all,” Sarah replies, “because I swear to God, if he treated you like dirt after you waited for him for years, I would have put ghost pepper extract in his fucking body wash.”

“Sarah!” I exclaim, laughing but also looking at her with a little bit of fear. I love Sarah like a sister, but I wouldn’t want to cross her. She’s really scary when she’s angry.

“What?” Her smile is the picture of innocence. “You’re my best friend, the only person who’s never betrayed my trust, and I’m protective of the people I love. I’m sorry Darrius is such a disappointment, but you have to agree that Kiara is getting what she deserves.”

I can’t argue with that. “Dating someone who’s constantly under the spotlight definitely has its downsides.”

My mind goes to yesterday and the way the Cove Devils’ fans welcomed their idols.

“Are you thinking about one of your D.I.L.F.S.?” Sarah giggles, reading my mind.

“Did you see those hashtags too?” I ask her with an eye roll.

“It would be impossible to miss them. Your guys are totally trending, Len. Not even rock stars have so many adoring fans.”

I nod sheepishly, but I should know that nothing gets past Sarah’s observation skills.

“Lenley, care to tell me which Cove Devil you are dating? I’ve been trying to figure it out for a few weeks now, but I officially give up. Yesterday on the bus, Peyton was just pretending to sleep, but he didn’t take his eyes off you the entire ride here. You left the meet and greet with Channing, and this morning you came out of the athletes’ locker room. Only the skydivers are allowed in there, and our passes don’t open those doors.” Her blue eyes are fixed on me as if she could read my mind just by staring. “Who did you follow into the locker room? I know it wasn’t Darrius, because he was just here. Peyton and Channing were still at breakfast when we left to set up everything over here, so...”

I watch her without saying anything, and she crosses her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowed.

“Lenley, did you spend the night with Jameson Walton? He was the only one missing this morning, and he jumped into the pool with you on the memorial museum’s opening night. Are you dating him?”

This is fun, so I smile as I shake my head. “I’m not dating Jameson.” I mean, technically it’s the truth, since the guys and I aren’t dating.

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