Page 115 of Losing the Rhythm

“Any sport, really,” I said.

She laughed again. “Exactly. But the boys are obsessed with it and I’ll do all I can to support them. Just wait till swim season starts. We get to sit in overheated rooms smelling of chlorine as we watch Justin swim down a lane.”

“Sounds exciting,” I said.

“Maybe more than soccer. His swim coach is handsome.”

That got me laughing this time.

“And you’ll appreciate the guys all in their swimming trunks, no doubt.”

My laughing faltered as I thought about Justin in his swimming trunks, preparing to jump into the pool. It was a sight I’d be drooling over.

The line was short, so it didn’t take long. I did beat her out though, so I waited, leaning against a wall.

A girl came out, spotted me, and frowned hard as she walked by.

I sighed and leaned my head against the wall, my anxiety suddenly skyrocketing.

Once this game was over, I was out of here. When I was sitting with the others, it was easier to ignore all the stares, but not anymore.

“Got her,” someone said as I was yanked forward into a hard chest. Then my mouth was covered and I was being lifted.

No!

Shock slammed into me. I thrashed, trying to scream, but they held a firm hand over my mouth. I reached up to yank it away, but my strength wasn’t good enough.

Way too quickly, we went into a nearby dim room. I thought we were going to stop there, but they kept carrying me through two more sets of doors. I wasn’t even sure where we were. It looked like some kind of storage. I was shoved forward, landing hard on my hands and knees.

“I didn’t think that would work. Did anyone see?” the boy asked another.

“We’re in the clear.”

As they went to turn back to me, I was already sprinting forward, letting out a scream as loudly as I could, praying someone would hear me because I wasn’t going to make it out of that door.

They swore and grabbed at me. I was able to avoid the grasp of one, but not the other.

He whirled me so I slammed against a wall, pain flaring through my face. I nearly choked on my own tongue. Hard pressure kept me in place from behind. Warm blood dropped over my mouth, the coppery taste running over my tongue.

“Nice try,” he said into my ear.

“Are you sure about this?” the other boy said, sounding nervous.

“Why not? She already takes on like four or five guys at least. She’ll handle us just fine.”

“But this—”

“They already said it’ll be fine. Once we’re through with her, they’re going to make sure she’ll keep her mouth shut. Is the camera set up?”

My blood ran cold at his words. I wasn’t stupid. The more they talked, the more a picture was painted. There was only one reason why they’d yank me into an empty room. Have a camera in place.

Physical violence I was familiar with. Some of Lindie’s men even had that look on their face like they wouldn’t mind if I joined them. But I’d never been outright sexually harassed or raped.

My breathing grew erratic. I couldn’t let this happen. I couldn’t.

Chapter Thirty-six

I wiped at the blood on my face, trying to calm down enough to think clearly. I couldn’t let them get their hands on me. If both of them got to me, it was over. I refused to think about what that meant.

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