Page 16 of Disorderly

When I started the new section of the routine, Cami hissed as she glared at me, but I returned her venom with a smirk. I didn’t like the spotlight but that yearning to be in the shadows couldn’t compete with my need to put forth 100% effort. So, each move I performed, I did it with precision and a beaming smile on my face. My cheeks would probably hurt for days after the game, but that was a small price to pay for wiping the bitchy smirk off Cami’s face.

After my last round-off, I took a deep breath as I shifted into the pirouette-type spin. The moment I faced the crowd again, I dropped into the splits, lifting my arms above my head in a Y shape, shaking my pompoms. The crowd went wild as my chest heaved. Crap. If I was going to keep this up, I needed to increase my cardio workouts and that was something I really didn’t enjoy.

Still not able to believe that I stood in front of a giant crowd at a football game—one that I performed in front of—my gaze rose up to the stands, landing on Jason, Jarrod… and Peter. My heart stuttered as they cheered, staring at me with giant, proud smiles on their faces. Individually they were all men who were hot with a capital H, capital O, and a capital T. But together, mere mortal men didn’t stand a chance. It was why they were always surrounded by groups of women and in Jason’s case, men who wanted them. I’d grown up watching it. It didn’t matter that they were all different. From Jason’s heavily muscled body covered in tats and his three-day-old permanent scruff along his jaw to Peter and Jarrod’s clean-cut good looks with different body types. While Peter spent hours in the gym to bulk up even if he never matched the size of Jason, Jarrod took a different approach, focussing on muscle tone to go with his sleek swimmer’s body. During the day they dressed differently befitting their jobs, but during their relaxed time, they weren’t that different. Jeans, a t-shirt, or maybe a polo shirt for Peter and Jarrod, but otherwise their clothing was almost a uniform, cementing their friendship and closeness for all the world to see.

“Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing? This is my squad. You don’t get to make up your own routines.” I wasn’t sure if it was the nasty tone, the spit in my face, or the strong finger poke to my chest that pulled my gaze from the guys, but it took me a second to clear my head and understand that BBB was furious with me. Not that I really cared, but still, I could have done without the unexpected and unappreciated shower.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Mrs. Swindon jumped into the fray, wrapping me up in a hug. “That was perfect, Katy. It worked even better than what I imagined when we planned it this afternoon.” She released me but kept one hand on my shoulder as she turned to face Cami. It took a lot of effort, but I managed to keep from laughing at the look on Cami’s face. Her face couldn’t have been more pinched if she’d filled her mouth with sour candies. The ones that make the sweat bead up on your eyelids but taste so good that you still try to smile while eating them.

“Y-you created that routine this afternoon? It was amazing.” Cami’s teeth ground together as she spit out the words. It was obvious she was trying to repair the damage her outburst caused, but from the pointed glare on Mrs. Swindon’s face, I figured it was a little too late to try to make nice.

“It was, wasn’t it. Now that I know Katy’s skills, I think that we’re going to adjust a number of our cheers.” She gave my shoulder a quick squeeze before releasing it. “And I’m thinking that we may need to restructure the leadership of the team as well. Breathe some new life into it since we’ve got this unique opportunity. I’d planned to make the changes next year, but this will give us time to gel. Maybe we can even enter some competitions next year.”

“That, um, sounds great. I can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned.” I could almost believe that BBB was sincere, but I knew better. This was her senior year and her and Cheryl had made big plans for it. Plans that were now completely falling apart.

As Cami and Mrs. Swindon walked over to where our drinks were stored, I returned my gaze to the stands hoping to watch the guys while they watched the game taking place on the field behind me. I bit my lower lip as I wondered if Jason would somehow get me alone so we could kiss again before he headed back to his job site.Maybe he’ll even come over tonight and spend some time in my bed like he’s done in the past. Hmm, I wonder what kissing him while laying down will feel like?

Arms wrapped around me from behind, squeezing me to death while pulling me from my thoughts. “I’m so glad you joined the team. Please bring those hotties to every game. Once they see how flexible I am, I’m sure one of them will grace my bed.”

“Kailee,” I exclaimed, breaking her hold on me as I spun us to face the field. Over the years I’d grown used to the girls around me making comments about the guys, but now that we were older, legal for Jason and Jarrod, it bothered me. My stomach clenched and I wanted to gouge my friends’ eyes out. Suddenly all my dreams about more kisses from Jason turned to ash. Kailee was so much more worldly than me, with all the experience while all I had was what those two guys did to me at the pool. Actually, all the girls probably had more experience than me. Would that be enough to entice Jason—or Jarrod—into being with them? I know Jason said that he’d wait for me, but what did that mean? Was he still sleeping with others while I tried to talk them into being with me? Were they willing to add to the other girls’ experience? The experience that he said I needed.

The more I thought about it, all the good feelings, the high that roamed through my body from performing in front of the crowd were drowned out by the pit of despair I found myself in. I couldn’t stay out in the field any longer. There wasn’t a way I could keep a smile on my face. And without it, how could I perform out on the field for our big show during half-time? Jason, Peter, and even Jarrod would know that something was wrong, and they question me about it. If not after the game, then certainly sometime during the weekend. And this was something I definitely didn’t want to talk to them about.

“That new routine was killer. And the look on Cami’s face… priceless. I’m so glad I talked you into joining the team.” Kailee hip checked me as the other girls grinned. “We’re going to have such an awesome year.”

The other girls crowded around, blocking me from my escape. All their eager chatter kept my thoughts from travelling down its previous spiral. Maybe I could do this. I’d just have to keep my thoughts focused on other things—like the game that I knew almost nothing about. And since Mason was the main reason that I agreed to be a cheerleader, I figured I owed him to at least watch and cheer him on. The rest… I’d continue to do what I did best… ignore and deny.

Chapter Twelve

Katy

I glancedat the clock on the scoreboard. Only thirty seconds left, and we were down by three points. An amazing feat considering the team we were playing against were last season’s Winnipeg High School League champs. It was extremely hard for a school to have back-to-back championships, but everyone thought Sturgeon Heights was set up to go for a third championship.

Kirk snapped the ball. Danny stepped back, looking for an open receiver as Dave blocked him from being sacked. Danny released the ball, a long spiral that had the crowd taking a collective breath. My hands balled into fists. My short nails dug into my palms. The pain kept me grounded as I watched Mason leap into the air, catching the ball. His feet landed as he started his run. A player raced towards him, but Mason feinted to the right, allowing a teammate to tackle the other guy.

“He’s at the fifteen. At the ten. At the five. Touchdown!”

The crowd went wild as the team cheered, jumping up and dog piling on Mason. The referees came over to tell them there was still time on the clock to convert the touchdown, but I don’t think anyone really cared. The girls around me were jumping and cheering, screaming Mason’s name. And I joined them, happy for my friend. This was the perfect way for him to return to Voyageur Bay.

After another minute or two, the team returned to the field and set up for the kick. Issac took it, putting the ball between the posts, ensuring our win by four points. The buzzer rang, ending the game. And I took a giant breath, releasing all my tension. The first game was done and over with. I’d lived through it. Now I couldn’t wait to leave, to go home and relax.

People surged around me, pushing, and jostling me.What the…?I stared as schoolmates and townspeople walked and ran out onto the field surrounding the team. High school football games were an unknown to me. I always made sure to have another plan for those few home game evenings, so I never expected them to behave like what I’d seen on TV shows. With everyone—or a good portion of the crowd—on the field, the noise became deafening. What I’d been able to block out earlier, came roaring in, setting all my nerves on end. I felt the first hints of panic begin to take root. My chest tightened and sweat popped, covering my skin.

Two hands landed on my shoulders. I bit back a scream as my muscles clenched, ready to race me away to safety.

“Relax, Baby Girl, it’s just me.” Jason’s lips brushed my ear as he directed his raspy voice into me, allowing me to hear him despite the crowd.

My breath rushed out along with the tension in my muscles, causing me to collapse against his body.

“Are you okay?”

I stared up at the fuzzy-around-the-edges Peter and nodded. “J-just wasn’t expecting all the people.”

A look of concern filled his eyes. He lifted his hand, reaching for my face. I waited for the caress I knew would come. A high-pitched laugh pierced the sound of the crowd as one of Cami’s friends bumped into him, shattering the bubble we were in. His hand dropped to his side while she giggled. “Sorry about that Mr. Evans.” She attempted to brush her hands over his chest and side, but he stepped away, nearly landing on Jarrod. “Wasn’t that a fabulous game? Are you guys going out to celebrate our big win?”

I watched as her gaze roamed over Peter and Jarrod. A look of lust heated her gaze until it landed on me. Jason’s hands were still on my shoulders and her gaze narrowed into a slight glare when she noticed. Ugh. These girls were all the same. The fell into one of two camps with almost no one in between. They either tried to ingratiate themselves into my life, trying to become my friend so they could get closer to Peter and Jason. Or they viewed me as competition and attempt to tear me down, telling me how ugly I am, how I could never get a guy to fall for me. And when my body started to change—my boobs coming in later than the other girls—the comments changed, making fun of my new dimensions. It had been part of the reason why I wore the baggy clothes even though I never mentioned that part to Jason.

“It was a great game, Krissy. As for celebrating the win, we already have plans for this evening.”

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