Page 10 of The Rivals' Touch

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I hug my arms around myself as the last piece of my furniture is lifted into the moving van. My father is giving out orders like a drill sergeant. His suit looks pristine, despite an entire afternoon of moving. It’s nice when you have money and can pay people to do everything for you. He still manages to be a raging asshole, though.

“Pumpkin!” he calls after me as I walk up the front steps to the house. “Five minutes and then we’re leaving.”

Cali stands by the front door with my backpack in her hands. Her eyes are red-rimmed with tears. “I can’t believe this is happening!”

“I know.” I swipe at my own wet cheeks. “Wish me luck with Legacy.”

She gives me a sympathetic smile before pulling me into a hug. “Phone me every day. We will always be best friends!”

I hold her to me until my father clears his throat behind me. “It’s time to go.”

I wipe my tears with my sleeve and pull her in for one more hug. “We’ll catch up on the weekends. I can always take the train.”

“Me too.”

She lets go and motions for me to follow my father, who’s already seated in the town car. The driver waits for me by the passenger door.

“I’ll phone you tonight.”

“Give Zayd hell!”

I attempt a weak smile and look over at the idling car. My father’s shadow looms inside. “Trust me, Zayd won’t know what hit him!”

I give her one last smile before walking down the steps for the last time. I can’t believe this is happening. I’m moving away from everything I’ve ever known—my friends, school, and cheer team.

I get in the car, and the driver tips his hat before shutting the door. The partition is up.

My father is on his phone. “Send the documents over. I’ll go through them when I arrive.”

I gaze out the window as the car starts moving. Cali waves, but I don’t wave back since she can’t see me through the blacked-out glass.

“I trust that the office is set up and ready for tomorrow. I’ll be there first thing.” The car gently rocks as we drive over the gravel path, and my father puts his hand on my thigh while he continues his conversation on the phone.

I stare at his fingers, fighting the urge to push them off. Better yet, chop them off.

He hangs up. “Are you excited about school tomorrow?”

I swallow thickly as he squeezes my thigh. “I’m very excited!”

“That’s good!” He smiles, but it’s tight. “I’m glad to hear it.”

I drag in a shaky, relieved breath when his hand leaves my leg.

“Zayd is very excited to see you again.” He starts up his laptop.

“I’m excited to see him too,” I force out through gritted teeth.

“I trust that you two will get on well.” The screen illuminates his face. He looks at me expectantly.

“Yes.”

“Excellent!”

The tapping sound of his fingers on the keyboard fills the back of the car. I lean my head on the window and watch the world pass by outside. It’s not long until the trees give way to houses and commercial buildings. Aycliffe is not big, but it’s not as small as Hedgewood.

My father is a man of luxury. If he agreed to move in with his new bride, she must be wealthy in her own right and have a big house. My father would rather live in a five-star hotel than a three-bedroom suburban house.

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