Page 70 of Cruel Steps

“It doesn’t have to be this way, Hope.”

Her face contorted into a sneer. “That’s where you’re wrong. I finally have everything I want, and I’m not going to let you take it.”

I stepped back, her words like a blow to my chest. “I… I… I…”

“I… I… I… Fucking spit it out, Muppet.”

Gulping, I straightened my spine. “Did Holden talk to you?” I asked instead.

She laughed again, and the sound was unhinged. “Oh, yeah. We had a good laugh about that. I can’t believe you believed him. You’re just as gullible about guys as you were with Lex Harrington. Seriously, Emmy, did you think the star quarterback, the King of Hayward, would be into you?”

My face fell, my heart falling out of my chest.

“Ohh,” she pouted, “you did.” She stepped forward and patted my cheek. I was too stunned to stop her. “That goes for Colter, too. We’re practically engaged. I just let him have his fun, but that’s over now. Enjoy the game, Muppet. I can’t wait for everyone to see how much of a loser you really are.”

With those parting words, she turned and strutted away. Her dance uniform sparkled, reminding me how low I was. Nothing about me sparkled right now. Hope stopped before turning the corner and blew me a kiss.

Anger burned bright, erasing the self-loathing. I didn’t need Holden or Colter. I tugged my phone out and brought up the earlier message to send a reply.

Emerson: I changed my mind. Is it too late?

BlackDiamond: No. I can still do it.

BlackDiamond: You sure?

I didn’t have to think about it. I shouldn’t have stopped it in the first place. Hope deserved to feel a little of what I’d experienced for years, consequences be damned.

Emerson: Do it.

If I was going down, I’d take her with me.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

COLTER

I anxiously glanced up and down the sideline, looking for my girl. She hadn’t messaged since I told her about the surprise I’d left. The Magic eight-ball toy and wolf keychain weren’t much for someone of her status, but I’d hoped she’d like the sentimental value, anyway. I’d left the Magic eight-ball on “All signs point to yes” with a sticky note that asked if Mer would enjoy her date tonight. I’d been so confident when I’d hid it in her locker, but now I felt foolish. She hadn’t come to kiss me before the game started. So, had she hated it?

“Donovan, get your head in the game!” Coach yelled, and I jumped back to attention. Holden scowled, his mood plummeting the longer Mer didn’t show. We hadn’t had time to discuss the new development between them, but I knew it had to mean something if he was willing to send me pictures of them in bed.

Thoughts of what they’d done whirled, and my cock twitched against my cup. Now was not the time to get turned on!

I nodded as the play was discussed, but I had no clue what anyone had said. Holden nudged me with his shoulder, and I vowed to focus. I might not care about winning games, but he did. Holden needed the team to do well. So, for my best friend’s sake, I’d focus and worry about Mer later.

Thankfully, our defense held the Bulldogs on third down, and special teams took to the field to receive the punt. I bounced on my toes as we waited to see where we’d take the field. The kick was caught on the forty-yard line, giving us a decent starting position. The offense ran onto the field, slapping the special teams as they left, and lined up in formation.

I bent my knees, my hands resting on my thighs, and immediately fell into game mode as I waited for Holden’s familiar cadence. I often wondered if, years from now, I’d hear his deep rumble in my sleep.

“Blue, 42. Blue, 42, hut.”

The ball was snapped, and I took off, focusing on the D-man I was meant to block. I shoved him, watching intently for the rest of the play. Spinning out, I ran around the outside when I spotted a hole and looked back to Holden just as the ball landed in my hands.

It hadn’t been the play called, but with Holden and I, it didn’t need to be. The second I saw the intended target—the wide receiver—blocked, I found a hole and took it.

With the ball secured in my arms, I took off, conscious of the defender on my ass. My legs pumped, and I could feel the Bulldogs closing in, so I jutted left and went out of bounds. I’d made it to our thirty, giving us the first down. Out of breath, I tossed the ball to the ref and headed to the sideline. Jacobs jogged onto the field in my place, and I took the offered water bottle from the team manager. I watched the next play, eager to return to the field as the Bulldogs defense held our guys to two yards.

“Donovan, you’re back in,” Coach shouted, and I trotted out onto the field before he finished. Holden nodded, slapping my shoulder in the huddle.

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