Page 99 of Cruel Steps

She breathed, and I watched as she gripped the wheelchair. “I want my brother to be happy. He’s spent so much of his time and energy on football. If you can get him to see there’s more to life, I’ll be the first one in line to support you.”

“Wow. I didn’t expect that.”

“I know. But I’m not as much of a bitch as I portrayed. It became easier to pretend to be someone else than to face the truth.”

“What about Colter?”

Her nostrils flared, and she paused before answering. “I can’t force him to like me.”

“How hard did you hit your head?”

Hope snorted. “Wow, way to joke about a traumatic brain injury.”

I shrugged, smiling. “I mean, can you blame me? This is not the Hope I’ve known for years.”

She sighed. “No. I can’t.” Her eyes moved to the side, and I saw her mom’s car approaching. It must have given her the courage to say the last bit. “I don’t have a right to ask this, but if you could not parade Colter around me, it would help me get over him. I know it’s hypocritical, because I would be doing it if it was reversed. But you always were better than me, Emerson.”

“Not really. We were friends once, and I remember you being a pretty good one until you weren’t. But I can be respectful.”

Hope nodded, and I realized I didn’t feel worse about myself for once. Rose exited her car, and I helped her with the wheelchair. Hope grabbed my arm once her mom went to put it in the trunk. “I doubt I’ll ever earn your full forgiveness, but I want to try. Thank you for giving me a chance to make a difference. I won’t let you down.”

She pulled the door closed as her mom shut the trunk, and Rose waved bye to me. I stood there, staring at the space they’d occupied long after their car was gone. Hope didn’t want to let me down? Maybe I was the one who’d hit my head.

A group of students laughed as they walked toward the parking lot, and I broke out of my paralysis. I glanced at my watch and cursed. If I didn’t hustle, I’d be late for practice. I hadn’t cared earlier but didn’t want to earn a demerit since I couldn’t quit now.

By the time I made it to the dressing room, I had five minutes to change and warm up. Throwing my bag into the empty locker, I cursed when I remembered I hadn’t brought anything. Biting my lip, I glanced at the one with my name on it. I might have something in there, but the thought of sticking my hand into it filled me with unease.

“Everything okay, Mer?”

I startled at Jenny’s voice and clutched my chest. “Holy cow! You scared me.”

“Sorry.” She cringed. “You just looked a bit lost.”

“Uh, yeah. I didn’t bring anything, and the thought of checking my locker wasn’t high on my list.”

“Want me to look?”

“Would you mind? I believe I have a tank and shorts shoved in the back.”

“No problem.” She skipped to the locker, and I turned and pulled my hair up. I didn’t want to watch her. I surveyed my outfit. It wasn’t ideal to dance in, but I’d danced in worse.

“I found shorts, but no shirt.”

“Ah, well, that’s better than jeans.”

I took the shorts and changed, leaving on the cute top I’d worn to school. I looked a bit ridiculous, but I was out of time. Hustling out of the locker room, I slid into the back row as Kimmy and Leigh called the girls to attention.

“Look who decided to show up,” Kimmy said, crossing her arms. Leigh rolled her eyes and ignored her co-caption.

“Great. Now, I can make the official announcement. Wolfettes, let’s give a wolfy welcome to our newest sister, Emerson!”

“Awoo!” the girls howled. Or at least most of them did. There were about three that glared at me. Kimmy’s face turned bright red, and I worried for a split second she had a heat stroke.

“Your shirt is out of regulation,” she spat.

“Sorry. I forgot my stuff at home and only had shorts in my locker.”

“You’ll have to take it off then,” she demanded. Leigh stared at her, her mouth open slightly. But I didn’t want her to fight my battles.

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