“I know, Dad.”
“Luckily, my friend Alex Finch who’s a retired marine was available on short notice. He will drive you wherever you have to go. Tell Tate I said hiring a driver was a good call. The Bentley will remain in the garage.”
“Yes, Dad.”
He sat on the sofa and pulled me into his arms. “I never knew my little girl would go through so much just to get through high school. You really think the crazed girl is mixed up with Marisa and Mason?”
“I have a gut feeling.”
“Mr. Finch will give you a taser and mace. He specialized in explosives. He will sweep the vehicles every day. He’ll also keep an eye on surveillance at the house. Don’t give anyone other than Tate the new gate code.”
“Got it.”
THE CROWD ROARED, STANDINGto their feet as Haven Saints number one shooting guard made another three.
Cupping my hands around my mouth, I shouted from behind the team bench. “Go, Lake.”
My friends and I consumed a mountain of snacks much like we’d done at the football games. Tate ran up the court in his navy and white jersey, hands in the air ready for the ball. Stephen passed the ball to Tate, he dribbled then made the jump shot.
We cheered.
“Keep up the good work Haven Saints,” I yelled.
A sickening feeling swept over my body. Someone was watching me. Didn’t know who. I kept my cool offering a weak smirk to Mr. Finch guarding the gym double doors.
Tate appeared cool calm and collected on the outside. On the inside he was beating himself up. I knew because we spoke before the game. Tate wanted to skip the game. He definitely wasn’t in the mood to go bowling later. He persuaded Stephen and a few other players to hang out.
I was thankful for Mr. Finch coming to my aid on short notice.
“Are we playing guys against the girls tonight?”
“Yup, and I’m bringing a date.” Trevor smirked.
“Oh, I wonder who it is,” Megan giggled.
“It’s a surprise. She doesn’t attend Haven Saints either. The chicks at this school are crazy.”
We burst into laughter.
“Rocco, Kelsea seems sweet.” I bumped his shoulder.
“That’s because she is. Everyone’s not crazy like Regina,” he laughed.
“Watch your mouth, geek boy,” I heard from Ms. Alabama.
A cold chill swept up my spine. I peeked over my shoulder. “Get lost, bitch.”
“I heard you were a spunky little thang.”
She wore a ton of dark eyeshadow and that damn deep red lipstick. Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. Her short skirt and low cleavage blouse left nothing to the imagination. I glanced up in the bleachers.
“Who told you that?”
“That little gossip girl Jaime.”
I nodded. “It appears you’re in the wrong section. Slutty and desperate sit in the nosebleed section.”
She balled up her fists. “You little-”