Page 60 of Chasing Football Dreams

Duncan's parents were waiting for us when we left the stadium. They were still comprehending my whole kidnapping story and that I was the daughter of a famous football god.

I smiled when Ivy came to hug me. She was using less ASL and concentrated more on talking.

"That was quite a game," Ivy said, smiling at Duncan.

"A memorable one," I noted, counting all of my bruises.

"Ivy?" I noticed the way Duncan's shoulders jumped when Monique crossed the parking lot.

Xander instinctively moved in front of Ivy to keep Monique away from her. I was standing between Duncan's parents watching the scene unfold.

Monique smirked at Xander. "You can't keep her away from me,"

"She doesn't want to talk to you,"

Monique rolled her eyes. "Let her tell me that,"

"Fine," Ivy huffed, stepping out from behind Xander.

"You can hear me?" Monique asked shocked.

"You would have known if you were a true friend," Ivy spat, her words still a bit stammering.

"Your brother, held me away," Monique accused, casting her narrowed glare on Ducan thinking it would scare him.

"No, he was the only one who tried to protect me because he didn't fall for your schemes," Ivy said, using her hands.

"It's his fault this happened to you,"

"No, it's yours. You fed me drinks like it was water. He only wanted to help me even when I was naive," Ivy stepped into Xander's arms.

"We are done, Monique. I never want to see you again,"

"Oh, so now you are too good for me since you got your hearing back?"

"Where were you when I was in the hospital?" Ivy almost shouted.

"That's enough," Duncan stepped in. "I am not going to let you upset her. Leave. You heard her. You are done,"

Monique's eyes landed on me, and I saw the snarl on her lips. "Have fun living in my shadow,"

I frowned at her remark. "What shadow?"

"You will never be me, Diner Girl,"

I quirked my shoulders. "Like why would I care being anything like you?"

"At least my family isn't broken,"

"I would take my broken family any day over your desperate life, bullying other people because of your insecurities,"

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Benjamin’s house was huge. It felt like I was standing in the middle of a palace belonging to a king.

"Does anyone else find it strange that he got a live DJ?" Andrew asked, exhibiting the scene.

Long tables were spread out on the side stacked with fancy cocktail food. I was surprised no servers were walking around offering food and drinks.

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