Page 63 of Sparks Fly

Keeping her voice low “Conrad failed a drug test and he’s been kicked off the team. Dad kicked him out.”

“What?” My voice is so shrill that both Harley and Tom spin around to stare. I wave them off, but I notice that Tom keeps shooting suspicious glances our way. “Sorry. Where’s he been staying?”

“With Dave–they’re coming together. I just wish Conrad would talk to me. He’s turned off his phone, but I know Mum’s worried. There’s been a lot of crying and fighting that seems to stop whenever i enter a room.”

Well, that explains the radio silence. But it doesn’t make sense that he failed a drug test. I’ve seen Conrad twice in the last week–I’d know if he were on something. I can’t tell Ellie any of that though. “False positive?”

Ellie shrugs. “I don’t know how they work, but I do know that he hasn’t taken any drugs in months. He’s not stupid. The drug tests were his idea.”

“They were?”

She nods. “I overheard him talking to Dad about it. Dad said the coach should trust them. He also said that if he got kicked off the team, he’d be out of the house–which means he’d lose his inheritance.”

Holy shit.

Ellie stops talking as a black Jeep crawls its way towards us. “Please don’t tell anyone I told you,” she pleads. “He’ll kill me. This weekend is going to be awkward enough.”

I can only nod as I try and process what I’ve just heard, but it seems to be good enough for her.

The Jeep pulls to a stop next to Ellie’s car. Dave climbs out of the driver’s side, and another stocky guy with dark hair appears from the back seat. My stomach swirls as my eyes watch the passenger side door.

When it finally opens, Ellie jumps up and runs over to Conrad, throwing her arms around his waist. His bright blue eyes meet mine before he quickly looks away. I swallow against a sudden lump in my throat, unable to tear my eyes off him. He looks defeated. His shoulders droop, and if the dark circles under his eyes are any indication, he hasn’t slept in days.

He ducks his head down and Ellie and she shakes her head. They continue their private conversation until the big, stocky guy calls out for help. He still hasn’t acknowledged me–and it hurts. It was my idea to keep this a secret in the first place, but I’m not sure I want to anymore. I just want to go to him.

I stand, and instead of doing what I desperately want to, I head over to see if Tom and Harley need a hand. The tent is standing at least, and I overhear a heated conversation from inside.

“–telling you to cut him some slack for Ellie’s sake. I’ve told you he wasn’t responsible for me getting busted.”

Harley scowls at his brother. “But hewasresponsible for fracturing my cheek. And giving Brady a black eye.”

Tom runs a hand over his face. “I didn’t say he was completely innocent, but from what I’ve heard he’s trying. Just give him a chance.”

“Whatever,” Harley mumbles.

“I’m serious, Harley. There’s things you don’t–” Tom snaps his mouth shut when he notices me.

“Sorry,” I squeak, my cheeks flushing. “I was just coming to see if you needed a hand.”

Harley snorts. “Where were you fifteen minutes ago when I was ready to punch this fucker in the face?” He smirks at me to lighten the mood. He steps over to me, throwing an arm around my shoulders and giving me a sweaty kiss on the temple. “Come on. I could use a hand grabbing the stuff from the back of the car.”

I shove him off me, wrinkling my nose. “Fine, but then you need to have a shower. You stink!”

We’re so busy jostling each other around that we literally bump into Conrad. The bundles in his arms hit the ground and Harley curses as he bends down to pick them up. “Sorry, man,” he says, holding the mattress. “Let me help.”

“Thanks,” Conrad mutters, not-so-subtly averting his eyes. He walks over to his space and dumps the tent before taking the mattress from Harley.

“Do you, uh, want a hand with that?” Harley indicates the canvas and poles on the ground.

“Nah, I’m good.”

“Right. Yeah. Okay then.” Harley’s head bobs up and down awkwardly. “Just shout if you change your mind.”

Conrad grunts in response.

Harley glances to where I’m still hovering next to Ellie’s car. I give him a shrug. I’m not going to spill any of Conrad’s secrets–though I shouldn’t act as if Iknowthose secrets in the first place. Thankfully, Ellie appears at Harley’s side and tugs on his hand. We’re just finishing unloading the car when the others get back with trays of drinks.

“Cheers,” Conrad’s teammate says to Sophie with a wink as she hands one to him. “I’m Kody. What’s your name, gorgeous?”

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