Page 104 of Against The Rules

Video: Wide receiver Tyler Matthews, standing in front of an unknown cheerleader, who ignores him as he holds out a pink rose for her, before dropping it at her feet.

Comments:

@beaverfanatic: Does he think he’s on the bachelor? What the hell is this

@themainbeav: No wonder these assholes keep losing. Kids these days have no respect for the game

@beaverlover: I’m cuter than she is. I hate cheerleaders

@stevethebeavfan: what a simp. Absolutely pathetic

@matthewsbrolover: what wouldn’t I give to be her

@themainbeav: hey @matthewsbrolover, you single? I got a rose for you

CHAPTER 43

SAVANNAH

Kelsey got hit hard.

I watch her carefully the rest of the game because she’s clearly shaken up, and I feel terrible for her. There’s a piece of turf stuck to her lanyard, and her hands tremble slightly as she takes notes.

The rose from Ty sits on the bench under her, forgotten, but still pretty.

The game ends, and Kelsey sits there still, pale and dirty.

“Hey,” I say, crouching next to her, surreptitiously retrieving my pink rose and putting it in my poms. “You okay?”

“No,” she sniffs. “Yes. I mean, I am. That just… it was a lot.”

“I know the trainers checked you out, but are you sure you’re okay? Do you want some ice? We can go grab some ice for you.”

“I’ll be okay, Savannah, but thank you. That’s really sweet of you.”

“I mean, that was scary!” I say, brushing off the compliment. “I would want someone to check on me if I were you.”

“Thank you, though, seriously.” She tilts her chin at me, her eyes narrowing. “Have you had time to think about what we talked about?”

“I—”

“Savannah Durand,” Rebecca calls from the stands directly above us. “My office. Now.”

“Uh-oh,” Kelsey says, reaching for my hand. At least, that’s what I think she’s doing, until she twists the rose out of my grasp. “I’ll hold onto this for you, yeah?”

“Good idea,” I say.

“Yes, ma’am,” I yell up to Rebecca. Shit. Fear snakes around my chest, and a hole opens up in the pit of my stomach.

“Like getting called to the principal’s office?” Kelsey asks, face full of sympathy.

“Worse,” I say, collecting my Beaver Cheer branded water bottle and hustling off the sideline.

The walk to Rebecca’s office, next to our locker room in the stadium, is a blur of competing emotions. I didn’t do anything wrong.

I’m innocent!

Other than the fact I broke a cardinal cheer rule and am not only hooking up with a player but am also married to the guy. Fucking hell, what if she found out? What if Jacob told? What if…

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