Page 58 of Out of His League

“You know it isn’t going to last, right?” Cecelia says with a sly grin on her face.

Trying not to let her words affect me.

They snicker at the two of us before disappearing into the crowd. A strong arm wraps around my waist, pulling me back against a hard chest. The familiar woodsy scent of Brock’s cologne invades my senses.

“What did they want?” Rodney asks. It’s evident in his tone that the girls have pissed him off by approaching us as soon as they left us alone.

“Oh, you know…the usual bullshit they always spew,” Kennedy answers.

“Come on, let’s head to our seats. The opening bands are about to start,” Gareth says.

Gareth and Ashton take the lead. Kennedy and I flank each other, with Brock to my right and Rodney to her left. Callum follows behind us as the guys all form a barrier around the two of us. Having them surrounding us has me walking taller, well, as much as I can being so short.

It had totally escaped my mind until Gareth brought it up, that two of the local bands are acting as the opening act for Perpetual Fantasy.

Both performances have the crowd excited. The stadium lights dim, and the crowd roars. Since we are so close to the stage, we can see feet moving about the stage. The loud thump, thump, thump of the bass drum has the crowd screaming just as the stage lights come on, the curtain disappearing as if it never existed.

Letting out an ear-piercing scream, I jump up and down like a loon. Niall Phillps’s gaze is aimed in my direction as he winks at me. Gripping Kennedy’s arm, I think my nails leave impressions as my hand is pried away from her.

“How are you, Groveton College?” Niall says, holding the microphone against his lips. The crowd gets even louder, yelling back in response.

The drum’s volume increases as the rest of the band joins in, starting their first song of the night.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

My ears are still ringing three days after the concert. Kassidy was more fun to watch than the band. I thought she was going to pass out when Wicked Lady joined Perpetual Fantasy on stage. Those ladies arehot!

It took a while to get Kassidy to settle down from the high, even though she hadn’t slept much the night before; you would never know it. Once she finally did fall asleep, she didn’t rise until early afternoon the next day.

Getting ready to step into the library, my name being called has me spinning around. Before my brain registers what is happening, I am being pinned against the outside wall of the building, an arm against my throat.

A crowd gathers around, several phones held in the air, making it evident that this is being filmed. Focusing my attention back on my assailer, my brows draw down in confusion.

“Father?” I manage to choke out as he applies more pressure against my neck.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing,boy?” He spits the word boy out as if it leaves a bad taste in his mouth.

“Wha—” I start, but he cuts me off as spittle sprays on my face as he speaks.

“You think that you can shut me out? Youoweme,” he grinds out.

My brain is getting foggy from lack of air, and it takes a bit for his words to filter through the haze.

“Y-you got the papers?”

My words sound like more of a question, but the answer is evident by his presence on campus. The sound of heavy, rapid footsteps nears, but my father doesn’t waver. A feminine gasp sounds, and my eyes dart to the side as they land on Kassidy and Kennedy. The girls have their arms wrapped around each other as Kennedy’s four men form a barrier between my father and me. They act as if my father’s anger and irritation are going to turn on them.

“Yes, I got the mother fucking papers. How dare you think that you can do this,” he yells at me, his rancid breath invades my nostrils. It’s only then I take in his disheveled appearance. Father’s suit is wrinkled, as is his shirt. His tie is askew and his hair is sticking up in all directions, as if he can’t keep from running his hands through it.

Father shoves his arm against my neck again, and my head bounces hard against the unforgiving stone wall. Kassidy gasps out in alarm, and my eyes dart in her direction. Ashton has his arms wrapped around her, restraining her as she struggles to get free. Somewhere, I missed her approach, glad for the guys’ presence and protection of my girl.

“Is this the gash that is leading you around by the prick?” Father barks out, letting go of me and turning his focus on Kassidy.

My body sags as I try to catch my breath, bending at the waist, hands on my knees as my head spins. Between my body being starved for oxygen and the hit to the head, I am unsteady.Knowing that the guys will help protect Kassidy is my only saving grace right now as Father’s attention focuses on her.

“Well!” he yells. “I expect an answer,” Father demands.

Callum and Rodney step in front of Kassidy, puffing their chests out in preparation for a fight. Father scoffs, dismissing them.

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