Page 30 of Beautiful Defiance

13

LEIGH

The next day, in gym class, I eye the corner where Seven and his ex-girlfriend Allison disappeared to, curious as to whether the two will get back together.

Hannah and her friends went on and on about how Seven hasn’t had a serious relationship since his ex-girlfriend cheated on him with a football player from Delridge High their junior year.

That’s the ultimate betrayal for someone like Seven, but maybe he’s willing to overlook Allison’s lapse in judgement and forgive and forget. From my spot by the bleachers, it’s obvious Allison was crying. Seven pulled her to him, then led her away from our curious stares.

If they are getting back together, good for him for giving her a second chance, though the thought doesn’t sit well with me. Thankfully, my better side wins out over the vindictive, jealous Leigh Kim.

I shouldn’t be a softie toward a cheater, but had Thomas not cheated on his wife, I wouldn’t be here. So, I’m willing to give someone a second chance to learn from their mistake. Thomas lying to Principal Staudinger should be strike two against him, but I can understand his point of view for keeping my rap sheet under wraps.

Seven returns to the gym, and the guys are back on for their game of hoops. The girls are sitting on the bleachers, watching them.

We have a substitute teacher for PE, and she’s awe-struck by Seven and his friends, giving them a free pass to do whatever they want for the last period of the day. That earned her points from the girls. They shelled out dating advice and makeup tips.

I’d rolled my eyes. Even the teachers are under the reigning king’s spell.

Seven grabs a basketball off the floor, and pushing off the toes of his shoes, he shoots. His shirt rides up and shows skin. The girls stare and point at his six-pack abs. Fan their faces, too, when his shorts slide down his hips.

These girls and their out-of-control hormones. Proud of myself for being immune to the king’s charms and rock-hard body, I pick up a ball and toss it, knocking his ball away from making the second shot through the hoop.

He glares. “You have a problem with me or something, Safari?”

I smile, happy to be hating on one another again.

“Or something, Nobody.” I smack my gum. Twirl pieces of hair between my fingers.

Collective gasps echo in the gym that’s suddenly gone quiet.

“How about a game of PIG?” I ask. “Or HORSE? Up to you which animal of preference I kick your ass in.”

More gasps from the girls. The guys look me up and down and snicker.

“PIG, and we up the ante with a bet.”

The girls get off the bleachers and crowd us. They’re interested to find out what Seven will do to me should I lose.

“Fine, but the bet stays between us.”

Hannah whines. “Not fair.”

“It’s not up to you,” I tell her. “Unless Nobody is too chicken-shit and needs witnesses.”

“Pfft. As if.”

I hold back my smile.

“Come here.” I crook my finger.

Seven heads my way. The sea of girls part. I step up to Seven and am so close, I catch a whiff of male and sweat.

Leaning in, I say near his ear, “If I win, you teach me to drive. If I lose, you get back the lucky coin I ‘borrowed’ from your pants pocket.”

He lurches back. “What the fuck, Leigh?”

Hannah sets her hands on her hips. “What did she say? I have a right to know, Seven. She’s staying with my family, and if they’re in danger because of her, I’ll have to tell my dad and Henry.”

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