Page 125 of The Rivals' Touch

As I pull my foot over my head and perform a scorpion in the air, Legacy watches me intently from her spot on the ground. Although I can avoid her most of the time, it’s impossible at practice.

Legacy decided the team should squeeze in one last session before tonight’s game. So here I am, avoiding her gaze and doing the best fucking scorpion possible. I used to be head cheerleader for a reason.

Cassie lowers me down, and we finish the rest of the routine while Legacy looks out for imperfections in our timing.

When the song ends, she clears her throat. “It looks good. More than good, actually.” Her long legs are more tanned than usual, and I struggle not to sweep my eyes over their smoothness.

She flicks her long hair from her shoulder and says, “Take five. Have a drink.”

Sweaty and parched, I pick up my water bottle and unscrew the lid.

“Remi.” She’s behind me, keeping her voice low.

As I turn, I lower the bottle and wipe drops of water off my lips with the back of my hand. “Yeah?”

“How long are you going to ignore us?”

“I’m not ignoring you, Legacy. There’s nothing more to say. We’re over.”

She starts to talk but lowers her voice. “Okay, fine, but I deserve an explanation. You just went radio silent on us. Something happened, Remi, and I want to know what!”

I take another sip of water to buy myself time. “Nothing happened.”

Her long lashes brush her cheeks as she blinks and laughs disbelievingly. “Nothing happened? You were fine one minute and more than happy to fuck me, and then what? You just decided that you’d had enough?”

I glance behind me. The others are over by the corner. I look back at Legacy and whisper-hiss, “It wasn’t like that.”

“No? What was it like? Help me understand!”

Why does she have to smell so nice? Every time she leans in, I get a whiff of her shampoo. “I’ve told you about my situation at home. My father, he…” I fall silent, pressing my lips shut. I can’t tell her what happened. It’ll make things worse.

“He what? Did he touch you again?”

I snort a bitter laugh. “What do you think? He never fucking stopped, Legacy.” I lower my gaze to the floor. The laces on one of my sneakers have come undone. “But that’s not why. It’s more complicated than that.”

She blows out a frustrated breath, eyeing the other cheerleaders. She looks back at me and says, “Can we go somewhere and talk?”

I avert my gaze. “It’s not a good idea.”

I can’t be alone with her or with any of them. I break every time.

Her jaw hardens, and I sense the shift in her. She leans in close and bounces her eyes between mine. “You think you can just walk away? You can’t, Remi! You made us all fall for you!”

Abigail looks over; concern flicks across her face. I offer her a reassuring smile, and Legacy follows my line of sight.

“Are you with her?”

“What? No!”

Legacy grinds her jaw, and her eyes return to mine, searching for the truth in my blue depths. “I’m trying to understand. If it’s not her, then what is it?”

“The others are waiting.”

“I don’t fucking care!”

“Legacy!” My voice is sharp. “I can’t be with you!”

She draws in a breath and steps back, taking her flowery smell with her. I’m left empty, longing to reach for her. She points a manicured nail at me. “I will get to the bottom of it! Trust me, Remi. When I do, I’m coming for you. We all are!” She walks away, clapping her hands for attention. “Gather around. Let’s take it from the top.”

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