Page 35 of Keeping Score

“I would have fucking ended the son of bitch before this ever got out.” I wave my hand around the stadium gesturing to the screens displaying the video. “But no, you wormed your fucking way back into my life like the snake I always knew you were and fucked me over so good. You broke my cardinal vow and I didn’t even have a fucking say in the matter!” I scream in her face. “You are done, Leah, there will never be an us again. You know better than anyone what drugs mean to me and still you fucking played me. Well done, baby, that was the one play I didn’t see coming.”

“You’ve been fucking my sister?” Corvin pushes in front of me, blocking his sister from my view. I take a shuddering breathas I brace for this shit show to blow up in front of everyone, except I don’t get a chance to answer.

“Your sister is a fucking slut and has been fucking your best friend for years!” I whirl around to Gary using the bench seat to try to push himself to his feet. I don’t think, I just act. I close the space between us, and hold his hand on the bench with my own as I apply all my weight to stomp down on his elbow relishing in the scream that tears from him when his bones break.

“You’ll never throw another fucking ball again, your career is over, you cunt.” I’m rushed from all sides, coaches and players step in to break up the fight. Shouts are heard from all around but I can’t keep the smile off my face knowing I just ended the fuckers dream of making it big in the NFL.

“You’re done!” The sound of his voice has the hairs on the back of my neck rising, I turn my head to the side to see Victor Hayes standing right there. The bastard looks murderous, he stands there in his thousand-dollar suit, brown hair slicked back to try look young but his brown eyes betray him and show his age. I feel Saint and Crue stiffen on either side of me as they let go of my arms, they know what this means for me. “You are going to fucking pay for that, you have no idea what the fuck you have just done!”

Leah

I stand tucked into my brother's side as we watch the exchange between Gary’s father and Darius. Instead of looking fearful that one of the richest men in the whole state, shit maybe even the whole country, is standing there promising to ruin his life, Darius just smiles wide looking slightly unhinged.

“Oh, so you only care aboutthatson?” Victor’s upper lip twitches.

“I’m going to make sure you spend the rest of your life rotting in a jail cell,” Mr. Hayes seethes. Gary is on his feet again, thanks to the help of his team mates, clutching his arm to his chest. It brings me great joy to see he is in agony—serves the bastard right. I did as he told me to, okay well maybe I got two out of five off the field but how was I to know only Saint and Darius drink that particular protein shake that I put the powder in! Before the end of the last quarter everyone’s phones began to ping withincoming messages. The moment I felt eyes on me I just knew what happened before I even opened the link.

“As long as you’re in the one next to me,” Darius says like he isn’t worried.

“You broke my fucking arm!” Gary screams. Darius just shrugs and smiles at both the Hayes men.

“You’re lucky that’s all I broke, you rapist.” Gasps ring out around us and I drop my gaze in shame.

“That’s bullshit and that video proves it!” Mr. Hayes tries to defend his son. Darius steps forward until they are chest to chest. Corvin releases me as he and Beck move in closer ready to pull Darius back if he swings at Gary’s dad.

“No, that video just proves that you put your son up to it. You tried to use your golden boy to fuck me over and keep me quiet, except now, it won’t work.” Victor eyes Darius with careful scrutiny.

“You have no idea who you just fucked with,” Victor growls.

“I know exactly who I picked a war with and believe me, I’ll fucking win this,” Darius spits.

“Someone call the cops, Dad I want his ass arrested,” Gary yells like a little bitch. Darius tears his gaze from Victor to look at Gary.

“Fuck,” Corvin mumbles, almost like he knows what is about to happen.

“Daddy won’t let his son get arrested, he was talking out of his ass. He can’t afford the publicity right now with the sale of his company being announced in a few days.” Victor’s eyes widen, Gary frowns and scoffs.

“I’m not getting arrested, you dumb fuck, you are!” Darius shakes his head and tsks. I look around us to see everyone has stopped and are watching this scene instead of stepping in, I guess this just proves that the five of them really are the kings and no one touches them.

“You didn’t hear me, dipshit. Daddy won’t let his son go to jail right now.”

“I am his son!” Gary screams.

“No, you’re one of his sons.” I suck in a sharp breath as I look between the three of them with wide eyes.

“What the fuck, Dad, what the fuck is he on about?” Gary demands, but Victor is too busy staring at Darius in shock.

“You picked the wrong twin, Victor. I promise you, I will outshine you and your pick of the litter. When I’m done fucking you over, you won’t have two pennies left to scratch together.” Gary stares at Darius for a second before snapping his gaze to his father who is grinding his teeth so hard I fear he may snap them. “Watch your back, Hayes, well as best you can because you won’t see me coming when I end you.” Darius turns and stalks toward me. He doesn’t even spare me a glance as he shoulder checks me on his way out. Crue, Beck and Saint shoot me pitying looks before they race after their friend.

I feel sick. Darius and Gary are twins. One raped me and the other one I’m in love with.

Corvin’s coach goes to him and whispers something in his ear, Corv nods and marches to me gripping my arm and dragging me from the field. I don’t question him when I hear the sounds of sirens in the distance, somebody really did call the cops.

The second we get in the car and Corvin peels out of the lot he starts. “Tell me Gary was full of shit and you haven’t been fucking my best friend behind my back for years?” Just as we are about to hit the street, Corv slams on the breaks lurching us both forward but thanks to the seatbelts we both jerk back in ourseats. “Fucking hell,” he snarls as he winds his window down. I look up and my heart leaps at the sight in front of me. “Either get the fuck in the car or move your asses!” Katie and Cody exchange a quick glace before they both race toward us and climb in the back. I turn in my seat and look to each of them.

They both smile awkwardly and shrug. “We thought you might need some friends to talk to,” Cody says. Too choked up by their show of love for me, I turn around and look over at my brother as he white knuckles the steering wheel and speeds down the road. I frown when he doesn’t turn down the street that will lead us to his house.

“Where are we going?” I ask hesitantly.

---