Page 133 of Blood & Betrayals

“I’ll time her, Ash,” the cheerleader with the mousy hair offers sweetly, though I can feel the dislike in her gaze.

“Okay, Tarran. Thanks!” Ashley says. “Alice! You’re up next.”

“Sorry!” I mouth to Alice as I follow behind the angry cheerleader.

“Okay,Summer, let’s see how fast you are.” She starts the timer without giving me any warning. I roll my eyes but immediately push into a run, setting a quick but even stride. My instincts call on me to lean into my powers, but I push them away, unwilling to utilize my natural abilities. Keeping them contained and dormant has become second nature, but what used to be a dull ache has become a dangerous, dark tempest desperate to be free.

I glance at Connor because not looking at him when he is in my vicinity is an impossibility. Irritation stabs at me when I see that the cheerleader who is supposed to be timing me is standing next to him with her hand on his arm. She throws her head back and laughs, the sound harsh, annoying, and overly loud even on the busy field. I change course and run over to them.

“Hi, babe!” Connor says, brushing her hand away and wrapping his arms around me.

“Hi, big guy.” I smile up at him.

“You’re supposed to be running,” the cheerleader grumbles.

I look at her. “And you’re supposed to be timing me.”

She tamps down her fury and turns her gaze back to Connor, fluttering her eyelashes unashamedly. “Anyway, Connor. I had a really good time with you at Finch’s party. We should hang out again soon.”

Connor blinks at her, seeming genuinely confused. “Oh, sorry, Tarrow. I’m not on the market.” He squeezes me and playfully bites my cheek.

“It’s Tarren,” she mumbles under her breath.

I laugh and swat at him. “My big guy looks sexy on the field. No one can resist him,” I say, wrapping my arms around Connor’s neck.

Tarren clenches her fists and stomps off, her braid swinging furiously against her back.

“You know, I’m probably not going to make the team now,” I quip, running my fingers through his blond locks.

Connor frowns. “Why?”

“Because Tarot hates me. And because you fucked up my times by being so irresistible that you attracted sour cheerleaders.”

Connor laughs, the sound full and joyous. “It’ll be fine, babe. Ashley is very fair when it comes to her girls!”

Connor leans in to kiss me, but Zach throws the ball, hitting Connor in the back.

“Hurry up, dickwad,” Zach yells.

I laugh softly and press a soft kiss to Connor’s lips before pulling back.

“Summer!” Ashley calls.

I sigh and try to hold back my eye roll. I press one last kiss to Connor’s lips before jogging back to the group.

Ashley claps her hands, grinning widely. “What a great effort! We’ll review all the data and announce our picks at the end of the week!”

Before Ashley even finishes talking, Alice grabs my arm and pulls me toward the exit. I try to get her to wait so I can say goodbye to Connor, but she just growls at me and walks faster. I wave at him as we pass, and he winks at me.

Alice slows down once we are outside the stadium. “Well, I hated every second of that,” Alice grumbles.

“I know, but I appreciate you doing it with me, Al.”

Alice mumbles something that sounds like, “You’re welcome,” and I can see the smile playing on her lips. I wonder if anyone has ever shown her gratitude before.

We stop at the cafe on the way home, and I order a very berry smoothie for myself and a tropical spiced blood smoothie for Alice. I pull out my phone, about to pay when a large shifter approaches. His dark eyes are fixed on Alice as he taps his card against the machine.

“Actually, we got it,” Alice growls.

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