Page 20 of My High School Rebel Boyfriend
Harper Dent, in her tiny volleyball shorts, was frog jumping across the floor with one of the twins.
CHAPTER 8
HARPER
MOM MADE ME STAY HOMEfrom school on Friday, and I didn’t complain. I was wiped out, telling her I might have a touch of the flu. I didn’t tell her about my double training because I knew she’d freak out, but I was determined that I’d be smarter about it next time. No more lows, meaning I’d fuel up properly, test myself and adjust my medication accordingly.
Ebony had surprisingly video-called me that evening. Usually composed and articulate, she was jabbering like someone who was hyped up on caffeine and sugar.
“Harper, Titan asked me to train with him tomorrow morning, but Shavaun has a flute lesson and I don’t wanna go on my own. Well, Mom wouldn’t let me go on my own for starters, so could you? Are you okay or are you still sick?”
“Hey, slow down,” I said, trying to comprehend what she was asking. “What?”
“Titan is going away for the weekend, but he wanted us to hang out together.”
“Uh huh.”
“So he suggested training in the morning. I mean, Mom would agree to that, I think. But I can’t go by myself. Would you come with me? He said you did some training with him the other day.”
“Yeah, I did,” I said, “and he nearly killed me!” Actually, that had been Mitchell.
“Well, it would be good for us, wouldn’t it? For the tournament next week?”
“Yeah, it would.”
“Well, he’s going to practice hoops or something, so he said we should go in at nine. I could come and pick you up.” She joined her hands in prayer position. “Pleeease?”
Maddie had done a light training session after school with the girls which I had missed. I didn’t want to be left behind. “Yeah, that should be fine. As long as it’s okay with your mom.” I didn’t want to get on the wrong side of Mrs. Christopher or for Ebony to get into trouble. The twins had hinted that their parents were old-fashioned, so I took that to meaning dating wasn’t encouraged. Mr. Christopher was a pastor and I knew they went to church every Sunday and sang in the choir, and unbelievably their internet got turned off at night. I’d been aghast, I had no idea youcouldturn it off.
I made sure I had a good breakfast, granola with berries and yogurt, and I packed several juice boxes, a banana, nut bars and candy. There was no chance I’d have a low. I’d make sure I took regular breaks and snack while training.
Ebony was driving her Mom’s purple cube car. It was kind of a laughing point amongst the volleyball team, well, to be honest, the whole school. It didn’t rate on the cool scale, but Ebony and Shavaun joked about it as much as anyone.
This was my first time having a ride in it. I put the hood up on my jacket as I ran down the path to her car pretending I was trying to be incognito, and I looked around before getting in, as if the neighbors were watching.
“Purple Cube Pickup,” Ebony announced as I opened the door. I admired the purple seat covers and the purple leaf shaped freshener that I presumed was emitting the grape scent .
“Wow, it’s very purple in here,” I said, buckling up.
“Very purple,” Ebony said, unable to contain her smile. She had twisted her hair up into a bun, clipped with a butterfly bow and had dangly earrings. I doubted their suitability forvolleyball.
It wasn’t until we arrived at the gym that it dawned on me that Ebony wasn’t planning on doing a whole lot of volleyball. Sure, she was in her workout gear, but as Titan greeted us and immersed us in a cloud of spicy man cologne, and Ebony blushed the color of a tomato I felt myself sinking into a familiar position—that of third wheel. First with Maddie and Peyton, and now with these two.
I took off my sweatpants and jacket and left them gazing into each other’s eyes, slightly annoyed at myself for not thinking it through. I was only there as a smoke screen, and it was hard to feel gracious when the air between them sizzled with electricity.
“Shall I warm up?” I’d stripped down to my shorts and t-shirt, but neither of them seemed to hear me. I started a jog around the gym. This prompted Ebony to take off her hoodie, and she joined me on the third lap. Titan dribbled his basketball from one side of the court to the other barking out encouragement.
After five minutes my goosebumps had disappeared, and my body heat had risen. Titan stopped us and I took a sip from my juice box to ensure I didn’t have a repeat of the other day.
“Can you remember the plyometrics?” he asked me. “Let’s do those.” He put his ball down and demonstrated for Ebony, then placed a gentle hand on her back as he corrected her form. It was sweet, but I found myself riled with irritation again. We set off across the court doing frog jumps, forcing my negative energy into every leap. Titan stopped Ebony at the half way point, seemed she needed to keep her shoulders more upright. Titan guided them into position. I carried on.
That’s when the doors burst open, and Mitchell Finlayson called out something as he made his way in, his arms full with bags, cups and a basketball. It was all very much déjà-vu, though he was wearing tights and shorts and a black hoodie and he frowned at the sight of me, though smiled as his eyes averted from Titan to Ebony.
Titan went over to him and they fist bumped and did that stuff that boys do when greeting one another. Ebony edged up next to me,breathing hard, though I wasn’t sure if it was due to exercise or Titan’s presence.
“Sorry, you didn’t tell me we were having company,” Mitchell said, looking a little embarrassed at the two cups that were on the tray.
Titan grinned. “Just a little extra training for the ladies.” He took the tray from Mitch and offered it to Ebony and me.
