Page 1 of The Dollmaker
Savannah
Homecoming…
Standing on the football field with my squad during halftime is exhilarating. Having all these people watching us put on a show sends a chill up my spine. Our boys are winning tonight, which only makes the thought of the after party more thrilling. The atmosphere is electrifying as I wave my pom-poms, leading the squad into our routine and killing it by the time we finish.
Panting, I take a sip of Gatorade as the boys come back onto the field. Jeremy scoops me up into the air, spinning me around before pressing his lips against mine.
“You look hot out there tonight, Sav,” he purrs, licking my bottom lip. “Strawberry? Damn girl,” he laughs, licking my lip-gloss from his lips.
“Thanks, babe, now get out there and win this,” I cheer as he places me back onto my feet, smacking my ass before throwing his helmet on and going back to the team. Sitting on thesidelines, we cheer for the boys as they make touchdown after touchdown.
“You seem really happy tonight,” Tatum says, hip bumping me, and I shrug. Tatum is my best friend, and she knows what I found out this morning. I should be a fucking mess, but this is what I do—act like everything is perfect when my life is literally crumbling. I put on the mask and smile while I’m literally dying inside.
“You know I put on a good front. Plus, I won’t let my personal life interfere tonight. We’ve been waiting for this since last summer!” I yell as the crowd cheers around us, along with the band playing in the stands, making it super loud out here on the field.
“It will all be okay. I’ll talk to my parents,” she says, trying to reassure me.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m already eighteen. I don’t need a guardian. I'll figure it out. At least they left me the signed papers for my trust fund. It was the least they could do. Fucking assholes,” I say, and she shakes her head.
“I can’t believe they abandoned you. Just left you a note and not even a goodbye.”
“I was blindsided. They were always absentee parents. Lorraine was more of a mother figure to me. I spent more time with her than with my mom. Now she’s gone, and I’m left alone,” I huff.
“I can’t imagine how you feel, but I’ll say Savi, you put on a great front. If I wasn’t your best friend, I’d never know you were going through that,” she says.
“Well, I’m thankful for you and for Tri–” I say, stopping mid-sentence as my eyes go wide from slipping up. Her mouth drops to the floor, and I shake my head.
“Tripp? As in number 24 on the team, Tripp?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“Nope. I don’t know what you are talking about,” I say, and she hip checks me.
“Spill, bitch! I need all the juicy details,” she laughs, and I sigh, knowing if I don’t tell her, she will bug the shit out of me all night about it.She’s relentless.
“He moved in eight months ago. After Dad died, my mom started dating his dad and blah blah blah. I think Gerald is the reason she left with him. Yes. She’s wealthy, but he’s stupid rich. I hope they are happy together wherever they end up,” I tell her as I pick her jaw up from the grass.
“Does Jeremy know about this?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“Nope, I don’t need the extra bullshit. You know how he gets when he’s angry.” I raise a brow, and she nods.
“Yeah, I get it. But–” She grabs my hand, stomping her foot like a child. “Tell me you hooked up.”
“No, girl! This is not a stepbrother romance story. Jeez,” I lie. I am not telling her my stepbrother has fucked me six ways to Sunday. Not happening.
“Ugh, you are no fun!” she pouts.
“You read too many fucked up books,” I laugh, and she follows suit.
“You don’t even know the half,” she adds, and I shake my head, focusing back on the game. I keep telling myself I need to end things with Jeremy so me and Tripp can be together, but I’m afraid. He already scares me when he gets mad. He put his hands on me a few times and I’ve tried to walk away, but he always knows how to rope me back in.That makes me weak, doesn’t it?His excuse is always, “Stress from football. Pressure from football.” It’s always the same shit. I need to find an out. I wish he would just break up with me, but no, he won’t. I’m his ‘perfect cheerleader’. Rolling my eyes, I place my mask back onand cheer for my man even if my eyes are on number twenty-four.
“Oh, shit! Oh, shit!” Tatum yells as the clock runs down and our offense does their thing.Come on, come on. Let's win this!
“Wahhhooooooooooooooooo Fuck yes!” she shouts, and the crowd goes wild as Jeremy scores the winning touchdown.
“Time to partyyyyyy!” I shout as the squad runs to the middle of the field to the guys.
Later that night, I’m dancing with Jeremy after being crowned Homecoming King and Queen. The twinkle stars shine bright above us as the DJ plays a slow song. He grips my hips, pulling me closer to him.
“Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight in that dress?” He smiles down at me.
