Page 21 of The Rivals' Touch

He looks up and flashes a smile. “Exactly.”

Legacy sneers at me. “This isn’t Hedgewood. If we tell you to do something, you do it!”

I suck on my teeth as annoyance flares up inside me. She’s a real piece of work. An embodiment of the queen bee in every teenage movie ever created.

“Sit down,” Jacob drawls, tracing his fingers over the back of my jean-clad thigh.

I startle, making them all laugh. “Don’t touch me!”

“So feisty.” He grins, squeezing my leg.

“Sit down!” Zayd orders and I glare at him. He raises his eyebrows in challenge.

“What would Daddy dearest say if he finds out you refused to help your new brother with his schoolwork?” He tuts. “I don’t think he would be pleased. From what little I’ve seen of him, he seems strict.”

Ice runs through my veins, and it’s a struggle to keep my emotions from showing as I sink down on the chair and reach for the stack of books. “I’m not doing the work for you.”

Zayd smirks. “You either do the work or suck my dick. It’s your choice!”

“Zayd!” Legacy squeals, outraged.

He squeezes her tit. “Don’t be jealous, baby.”

Jacob laughs, shaking his head, then snaps a picture of us with his phone. “You need to give her the right incentive,” he comments, typing away on the screen. His eyes flick up to mine, and his lips curve into a menacing smile. “Something tells me Bennett wouldn’t be too happy if he found out you’re hanging with us.”

I stiffen.

His smirk grows. “Now, I can upload this picture of us to Instagram, or you can do the research.”

I tear my gaze away from the phone in Jacob’s hand. “Why would I care if you upload a picture of me?”

Jacob is amused. He leans forward, his elbows on the table. “You know exactly why he would be upset.”

I reluctantly grab a book off the top of the stack and open it to the first page.

“That’s it,” he whispers, looking satisfied. “You’ll need a pen as well.” He slides one over but holds on to it when I grab it. “Say please.”

I glare at him and rip it out of his fingers. “Go to hell!”

* * *

I tie my long hair up in a high ponytail and inspect myself in the mirror. This time last year, I cheered proudly in a black-and-white Hedgewood uniform. Now I’m wearing the outfit of our main rivals. I look and feel like a traitor.

The last thing I want is to join the girls outside, but my father made it perfectly clear that I have no choice.

You will cheer for Aycliffe High, and you will be the best cheerleader the team has ever seen! Understood?

I swallow thickly and blink back the tears stinging my eyes. “You can do this!” I whisper to myself and open the door. It’s a sunny day. The cheerleaders are in full swing as I join them on the grass.

“Look what the cat dragged in!” Legacy jeers, crossing her arms and cocking her hip. The other girls eye me curiously. They’ve seen me numerous times at basketball games, but to be here, at their school, cheering for their team… “You can sit on the bench over there and watch!” Legacy says, pointing to the sidelines. “I’ve seen you cheer, and it’s mediocre at best. You’ll drag the team down.”

Just then, Zayd jogs over, dressed in his basketball jersey. He spins his ball on his finger. “Looking good, sis!”

I snort, then walk over to the bench to take a seat. I’ll gladly stay here. If Legacy thinks it’s a punishment to make me sit cheer practice out, she’s wrong.

“What are you doing?” Zayd asks, looking perplexed.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m sitting down.”

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