Page 79 of Her Devils

Peyton and Penn both had identical scores in wingsuit performance, and it was decided that there wouldn’t be a tiebreaker round.

The Cove Devils took first place in freefly, but the Angels beat us in freestyle.

We have the same chances of being chosen to be a part of Team USA at worlds, but there’s always the risk that when the selection is made, not all of us will get the call.

Being national champions goes a long way toward earning a spot on the national team, but there are other criteria that are taken into account. That’s why Ken has been so hard on us about improving our image and shedding the heartbreakers label. The bigwigs at national levels don’t want the headaches and the potential for troublemakers in one of the most prestigious teams in the world.

There’s a huge event to conclude the national championship with all the specialized press, sponsors, and benefactors of our sport.

It’s just the last bit of fanfare before the real fun starts tonight. Star Cove is going to be one huge party all weekend, from glitzy, black-tie shindigs, to underground, drug fueled ragers. Everyone wants to celebrate an event that put our little town under a huge spotlight in front of the entire country and the world.

“Of course the Cove Angels would get to host the press events and the biggest party,” Peyton mutters as I park my truck in a spot reserved for the athletes.

“At least we got a reserved parking spot,” I soothe him. “Gina has been treating us like one of her own. You can’t complain about their organizational skills.”

“It’s the least they can do, since we weren’t really given a choice to attend this whole freak show,” our captain says, stepping out of the vehicle.

“What’s up, dude?” J asks, grabbing Peyton’s shoulder in a brotherly gesture. “You look like something is bothering you. We’re national champions in all our specialties, and we accomplished the first big goal we came here for.”

Peyton’s scowl deepens for just a fraction of a second. “I know. It’s just... The Angels did as well as us. We’re basically tied, and that probably means that we’ll have to deal with them at worlds too. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to work with Penn.”

I hate to be the one to burst my best friend’s bubble, but I can’t bite my tongue. “There was always a high chance that we’d have to deal with him at worlds. Team USA is huge, and unless the Angels performed terribly, it was a given that we’d be teammates at worlds.”

“Yeah,” he bites out. “We did great, but we didn’t destroy our rivals.”

I don’t blame him for his feelings. If anything, I completely get where he’s coming from. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. We might have to play nice at worlds, but we aren’t friends, and we’re still going to make him pay for what he did to you and Lenley,” I assure him.

“Ha.” J snickers. “You’re scary when you’re out for blood, Chan.”

I’m not even sorry about how much I want to kick Penn’s ass. “Well, fuck. You’d also be out for blood if you found Penn trying to shove his tongue down Lenley’s throat on your way up to her balcony.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” my friends ask in unison.

I tell them what happened the night before nationals started.

“And you didn’t think about telling us?” J doesn’t look as detached from the situation as I’d have expected from him. He’s such a control freak that he can’t handle not having all the information.

“I didn’t tell you because you guys are big on remaining totally focused on our jumps, and I didn’t want to mess with your concentration.”

There’s a malicious glint in Peyton’s eyes. “And was she into it?”

I swear to God, my best friend is so full of shit. He says it’s fine for Lenley to flirt with Penn, and he even encouraged her to kiss and tease him, but you should see the relief that washes over his face when I answer his question. “No, it didn’t look like it. She was pushing him away and telling him to go home. She called him out on his sleeping around and on the way he treated her.”

Jameson fidgets with the lapel of his suit jacket. “And how did he react?”

The memory of Penn’s chagrin puts a smile on my face. “He was desperate. He kept denying the evidence and begging her for a chance. He was so mad when he saw me climb up there and realized Lenley is fucking all of us.”

Peyton’s smile widens. “Good. We might not have obliterated Penn in the air, but we definitely got in his head.”

He’s right, but I think Peyton is being shortsighted when he thinks that Lenley is still in love with Penn.

I think our girl is starting to really see her oldest friend’s true colors, and if I have to judge by the heat and the passion of our night together—and of every night during nationals—I would say she’s just not that into Darrius Penn anymore, whether or not she realizes it.

And talking about the devil, or the angel to be precise, Penn is holding court with the press when we enter the Cove Angels’ HQ.

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Lenley

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