Page 176 of Cruel Steps

“You’re cute when you get all team-spirited,” Colter said, kissing my cheek.

The five of us took off in the direction of the stadium. We were stopped every few feet by people wanting to talk about the game or their support for me to win. Surprisingly, it was about even who got stopped for once. We were almost to the parking lot when three guys in blue football jerseys entered our path. Holden, Colter, and Cody all tensed, and when I scanned their jerseys, I realized why.

Royals.

“Kincaid, I’m surprised you found your way here, considering you haven’t been able to find the end-zone all season.”

The one in the middle stepped forward, his face red at Holden’s comment. His teammate on the left held him back.

“Funny, Adler. Your daddy seems to think differently,” Kincaid spat.

Holden’s nostrils flared. I squeezed his hand, reminding him I was there. I didn’t know if it worked, but he didn’t take the bait.

“Good luck with that. He always did bet on the wrong hand. Though, I suppose you’re used to that since your daddy had to buy your spot on a team.” Kincaid jerked forward, his teammate holding him back.

“Anything else to say, Kincaid?” Colter asked, stepping in front of me and Holden.

“Ah, is someone feeling left out? Seems even your girl prefers your best friend over you.”

I stepped up and took Colter’s hand. “Two’s greater than one, or have you not gotten to that lesson in math yet?” I shot back.

Cody snorted, covering his mouth, and Colter grinned. Kincaid’s face became redder, and his eyes lowered to roam over my body.

“You let your bitch talk?” the Royal on the left asked, chuckling like a hyena.

“Watch your fucking mouth,” Holden seethed, stepping forward.

“Oh, we found his soft spot! Adler’s a simp. Fucking pussy whipped.”

“You want to say that again, Kincaid?” a voice behind us asked. I looked over my shoulder to see most of the seniors and juniors on the team standing behind their quarterback.

“Nah, man. We were wishing Adler a good game. No harm, no foul.” Kincaid held up his hands, stepping back. He smirked like he’d gotten exactly what he wanted. I didn’t like it. I hated that they knew about me and worried they’d use it on the field. But I couldn’t stop it, so it was pointless to fret over it.

Once they were gone, the team clapped Holden and Colter on the shoulders as they headed into the stadium. Our group followed, more solemn than we’d been. Jenny and Cody headed into the locker rooms, leaving us alone.

“Meet us after the game. Don’t run off anywhere,” Holden said.

“I won’t.”

He searched my face, something flashing in his eyes, but it was gone before I could ask about it. He kissed me hard, stealing my breath and curling my toes before handing me to Colter. He brushed my hair back, smiling sweetly at me. He rocked his hard-on into me, reminding me how much he enjoyed watching.

“I can’t wait to see you in your dress. Love you, Merbear.”

“Love you, Colter.”

His kiss was soft but just as passionate, leaving me panting and wishing we had time to steal away for more. With a slap to my butt, he followed Holden into the locker room, leaving me with wet panties and no relief.

CHAPTER

FIFTY-TWO

EMERSON

The Wolfettes ran through the routine a few times before heading to the dressing room to prepare for the game. Nervous anticipation filled the room as we headed out to the field. The results were almost here.

The cheerleaders gave us a nod of respect as we passed, and I gaped at Jenny, causing her to snort. I’d learned real quick there was a tense competition between the cheerleaders and Wolfettes that spanned decades. Hayward only had funding for one group to attend Nationals, and for the past three years, it had gone to the cheerleaders. Leigh was determined to change that this year, keeping the icy tension between the Wolfettes and cheerleaders in place.

Jenny leaned closer once we got to our spots. “I have a feeling you have something to do with that.”

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