Page 60 of I Blame the Rival

“Don’t do that.” He clenches his jaw, the volatile temper simmering just beneath the surface, “Don’t make it sound like it’s my fault.”

“I didn’t say it was your fault.”

“Like hell you didn’t.” Vector shakes his head, “I’m not the villain you paint me out to be. I did what needed to be done.”

“I know you did. But why are you still hurting people now?”

I stare at him, feeling my earlier joy slink away. My brother’s actions have always been a source of tension between us, but that’s because he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand that every sprained ankle, every broken bone he’s left in his wake have all landed on my conscience. That every person he’s hurt has snipped away at the tattered edges of my soul.

Vector rolls his eyes, “You make it sound like I go around assaulting people. The only people I’ve hurt are the ones who deserved it.”

“Did Cody Ellsworth deserve it?” I fire back the question, frustration cutting through me, “Did any of the players you put in the hospital deserve it?”

“Lacrosse is a contact sport, Sky. It’s supposed to be aggressive.”

“Butyoudon’t have to be aggressive.” My teeth snap together, “Haven’t we seen enough violence?”

The tension in the air ignites the fire in his eyes.

“You’re blowing it out of proportion.”

“Am I? Tell me, when was the last time mom went to see one of your lacrosse games?” I give him a bitter smile, “That’s right. She stopped attending your tournaments after that goalie had to get emergency surgery. All because you couldn’t control your temper.”

“You’re one to talk.”

He bares his teeth, bending down so we’re eye-to-eye, “You think I don’t know about the box of crayons you keep hidden under your bed? I know exactly how many pencils you’ve broken drawing scenes that would make grown men cry. I’ve seen the evidence, Sky. You might act like you’re better than me, but deep down we’re the same.”

“No.”

I shake my head, taking a step back from the monster living inside me, “I’m not better than you. I just choose to express my anger in ways that don't impact other people.”

“Not all of us get that choice.”

“There’s always a choice.” I breathe out a sigh, “You just have to be strong enough to make it.”

He glares at me, the fury in his gaze identical to the one we used to see every night before our mother would start to cry.

“For fifteen years I had to stand by and watch mom take beating after beating because I was too weak to do anything.” Vector shakes his head, his pale blue eyes darkening, “I would rather die than watch someone else lay a finger on her ever again. The same goes for you. If someone messes with either of you, I’ll fucking destroy them.”

I stare at him, seeing the stains and shattered pieces even my brother isn’t strong enough to hide.

“Then that’s your choice. Just don’t drag me down with you.”

Chapter 13

Lacey

“Let me get this straight: you invited your new boyfriend and school rival to come support our lacrosse game today?”

Wesley blinks, his face breaking into a dimpled smile, “That’s fucking sick.”

Trip rolls her eyes, “A lot of people come to the season opener. Just because we aren’t competing against Silverwood doesn’t mean their students can’t show up here.”

My brother leans over and tugs the lacrosse jersey his girlfriend is wearing. Trip’s jersey is identical to mine except for Wesley’s player number engraved along the back. The school’s trademark tiger roars from the bright orange material, and as cheesy as it sounds, it really does add to the excitement of game day.

“But think about the implications of this monumental event. Two rival schools coming together over one couple.” Wesley pretends to wipe away a tear, “Billy would be so proud.”

Trip wrinkles her nose, “Billy?”

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