Page 75 of Dare To Break

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“Welcome to the team,” Lacy squeals, throwing her arms around me.

I return her hug back, and try to muster up some excitement, but all I can think about is the phone in my pocket.

Has he texted back yet?

Linda shakes her pom poms in the air. “Go, Roosters.”

The coach for the cheerleader squad is talking to her assistant behind us on the field. I’m not sure how I managed to impress them enough to add me to the team.

“We need to start training you tomorrow.” Lacy steps back, bouncing with her excitement. “Choreography is the key. Every scrap of free time you have needs to be dedicated to learning our moves.”

My eyes widen as I realize the enormity of what I’ve just taken on. “But I need to study. And I have Mr. McIntyre’s art project to do.”

Tina snickers. “Already changing your mind about wanting to be one of us?”

“You’ll have time for that,” Lacy assures me. “We’ll make it work. You’ll soon be out here with us.”

Why did I let Miles talk me into this? Performing in front of hundreds of people is not what introverts do. Oh god, this is going to be my worst nightmare, isn’t it? I’ll end up puking.

I quell the urge to breathe into my hands and lie down on the grass. “That sounds amazing.”

“Nice bracelet. Did a six-year-old make it?”

Gaze lowering at Tina’s sneer, it’s only then I realize I’m fingering the charms on my bracelet. “My best friend made it for me.”

She pulls a face. “Let me guess, she’s still in Nowhere, Michigan?”

“For fuck’s sake, give it a rest.”

Turning at the words, I see Jace walking toward us, with Evan and Brad behind him.

For one brief second, I make eye contact with Jace. We’ve not really spoken since I started dating Miles. I’ve caught him looking at me, though.

I chew on the inside of my cheek, tug the phone out of my pocket and check for messages.

Still nothing.

He’s ignoring me.

An arm drops over my shoulders. “Is that Miles? Did you tell him you made the squad? Are you texting naughty things?”

I flatten the cell screen to my chest, hide it from Evan’s view and push him away. “That’s between me and Miles.”

He laughs, circling around Brad, who’s got his arms around Lacy as he kisses her. “Where is Miles?”

“He had some homework to catch up on.” I lie quickly, knowing he’s off on a video call with his boyfriend.

“We have half an hour before lunch,” Linda announces, interrupting us. “Does anyone have any plans for the afternoon?”

Jace shrugs. “We could always celebrate Arabella getting on the cheer squad by going for a swim in the pool.”

“Are we allowed to do that?” Still clutching the phone, I fall into step with the rest of them as we move back toward the dorm.

“Duh, we’re allowed to use all the school facilities.” Tina flips her hair over her shoulder. “They provide a lifeguard on weekends.”

“That reminds me. Did you hear about Bret?” Evan shoots us a sideways glance.

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