Page 130 of The Rivals' Touch

“Are you prepared for tonight’s game?” My father asks, his eyes on the red light in front.

Abigail: Where are you? The game is about to start. Legacy is stressing out!

I’m dressed in my cheer uniform, and the leather seat sticks to my bare thighs. “I’ve got this, Dad. I know the routine.”

“Good.” The lights turn green, and he steps on the gas, then flicks his eyes down to the phone in my hand. “Who’s messaging you?”

Me: I’m in the car now.

“Abigail. She’s worried I won’t make it in time for the game.”

“We’ll be there.”

“I know.” We’re nearly there, not far now until I can escape his suffocating presence.

“So, are you ready for this?” My father puts his hand on my thigh, inching my skirt up.

I watch his hand slide higher, wishing I could hack it off with an ax. “I’m ready.”

I’m not. I never will be.

“Let’s see how good your acting skills truly are, sweetheart.”

I turn my gaze away, and when his hand dips between my legs and skims my panties, I grow cold.

“Daddy is so proud of you. I’ve been very impressed lately. You’re becoming a strong young woman.”

My stomach churns. I feel sick, but like the obedient daughter, I nod, whispering, “Thank you, Da-Daddy.”

He watches me briefly before focusing his attention back on the road. “Good girl.”

We pull into the packed parking lot. My father finds a parking space and cuts the engine. Elbow on the steering wheel, he turns in his seat and cups my chin, rubbing his thumb over my mouth. “Let’s break some hearts!”

I meet his eyes and swallow thickly at the darkness I see inside their endless pits. He leans over me, opens my door, and slaps me on the ass as I step outside. My heart pounds against my ribcage, and my hands are clammy. I look up at the tall building in front of me. It’s a newer build than the gymnasium back in Hedgewood. There’s an ‘F’ missing from the sign.

Dad walks past me, doing up the buttons on his suit jacket. He’s pristinely dressed, even in this sweltering weather. I obediently follow close behind, fighting the rising panic and the urge to tuck tail and run. We have a game to win; I must wrangle these emotions, or I won’t be able to cheer.

The sound of the crowd filters through the large doors as my father holds them open for me. “Don’t look so worried. You’ll do great. Half the job is already done.”

I step through, and his heat follows me into the room. To the outside world, he looks like a doting father. But I know him for what he truly is—a monster.

His hand on my lower back makes my skin crawl with imaginary spiders. He nods to Mr. Beaufort in the stands before saying to me, “I’ll be watching.”

I can barely hear him. My eyes are locked on Zayd, who has stopped mid-sprint. The basketball falls to the ground, and the sound it makes as it bounces across the floor slices through the air like a sharp knife despite the cheering crowd. His eyes flash with hurt before a mask falls over his face, but I saw it.

It claws at my soul. He straightens up and walks over with determined steps. Jacob is close behind, sweeping his eyes over my white and black cheer outfit: the colors of Hedgewood. Over by the cheerleaders, Legacy stands with her hand over her mouth. The betrayal in her eyes guts me.

“What are you doing, Remi?” Zayd asks when he comes to a stop in front of me.

“I’m here to cheer.”

He steps closer, lowering his voice. “Don’t do this!”

I steel myself and lift my chin. “May the best team win tonight.”

He curses, his eyes burning with emotion. “If this is about what I said, I’m fucking sorry, okay? I didn’t mean it. I was angry.”

My heart screams in pain. I shut it out. “Goodbye, Zayd.”

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