Play Hard (Make the Play #2) (3 page)

The new girl intrigues me.

She has from the first moment I saw her. It’s clear that she’s nothing like the other girls around here, and she’s impossible not to notice. Every time she enters the room all heads turn in her direction. Her name’s been on everyone’s lips since she arrived. Not that the words spoken about her are kind. But that’s the thing about this town. Different is scoffed at. Different is scary. Therefore, it’s rejected.

However, I like different. To me it’s not scary at all. It’s exciting. And we can sure as hell use some excitement around here.

Truth is, I bumped into her on purpose. I’ve been dying for an excuse to talk to her for the past two weeks. Mostly she keeps to herself. She’s got this whole dark and brooding vibe going on. But I’ve been wanting to find out if that’s who she really is or just an act.

Now I’m beginning to think it’s who she is.

Chicks dig me.

That’s not bragging. It’s the truth.

Girls don’t take it lightly when I go out of my way to talk to them. They either get all giddy or flustered or red in the cheeks. But not Taylor. When I introduce myself to her she appears bored and slightly confused. She certainly doesn’t seem impressed with me. A few girls from other tables peer over with unmasked envy. Right now they’re probably all wishing they were Taylor, and she seems like she can’t wait to get away from me. Her gaze fixates over my shoulder, an expression of longing on her face. It shouldn’t hurt, but it kind of does. I’m not used to rejection like this.

I’ve heard the murmurings around school. Words have been tossed around in reference to her. Words like “freak” and “loser,” even “ugly.” But now that I’m seeing her up close, I can tell you those are not the words I’d use to describe her. From here, I can overlook the ripped, tattered clothes. With her face inches from mine, her beauty is evident. Her large hazel eyes, her pert nose and full heart-shaped lips are striking against her smooth, pale skin. She wears dark purple lipstick and heavy eye makeup. I can tell it’s her way of trying to appear harsh, but honestly it looks kind of hot.

“Cal!” Hayes hollers.

My heart sinks at the relief that passes over Taylor’s features. Apparently she’s hoping this is her chance to escape. I almost laugh out loud. I never thought I’d see the day when a girl was desperate to get away from me. It burns a little, but I also find it kind of amusing. It lights a spark in my gut.

She’s not really my type. Then again, I’ve never known a girl like her before, so maybe I can’t make that qualification. But I guess I never thought I’d be attracted to someone like Taylor. My previous girlfriends all had a similar look – blond, curvy, preppy. This girl’s the complete opposite with her thin frame, dark hair and skater-type fashion. But something about her icy cold reception attracts me. It’s like she’s issued me a challenge, and everyone knows how much I like a challenge. I never back down from one.

With a smile, I step around her. “See ya around.” I’ll let her run off for now, but eventually she’ll warm up to me.

“Yeah.” Her voice doesn’t quite match the vibe she’s giving off. It’s soft and feminine, welcoming.

Swallowing hard, I step away from her.  Hayes is motioning me over with large hand gestures. Grinning, I move in his direction. I don’t bother glancing over my shoulder. Pretty sure that chick is long gone by now.

When I reach the table, Hayes says, “Just thought you needed saving, man.” Lifting his hand, he fist bumps me. I respond to it, our knuckles bumping.

“That’s Hayes, man. Always looking out for us,” Brady slaps him on the back, chuckling.

I have no idea how to respond to them. Was I looking for a way out? Did I need saving?

“Dude, Cal’s totally mute,” Palmer says.

“Did she put a curse on you or something?” Hayes teases.

At least I think he’s teasing. He’s known for making jokes. It’s rare for him to be serious. Except when he’s up to bat. Dude’s the best hitter on our team.

“Ashley says she’s a witch,” Josh interjects.

I glare at him. “Well, Ashley’s an idiot.” My sister’s former best friend is a sore subject for me. I might have fooled around with her, but I never would’ve touched the chick if I knew she had been using my sister to get to me. No one messes with my sister and gets away with it. Not Ashley, and not Josh. “Besides, no one asked your opinion, Joshy.” He hates when I call him that, and that’s exactly why I do it every opportunity I get. We may have to get along on the field, but off the field all bets are off. He treated my sister like crap when they were dating, and I’ll never forget that.

His eyes narrow. “Someone’s testy. You gotta thing for voodoo chick?”

Voodoo chick?
Who the hell comes up with this stuff? I shrug. “I know one thing. At least every guy on the team hasn’t had her.”

Josh’s face reddens.

It’s a low blow, and I feel a little sick that I said it. He brings out the worst in me. So does Ashley. But my parents have raised me better than that. Calling a girl a slut isn’t really my style. It’s Josh’s style, and I shouldn’t sink down to his level.

But Josh recovers quickly. He always does. “That’s ‘cause no one wants Taylor. I can’t help it if every guy on the team is attracted to
my
girlfriend.” The look he gives me is pointed, and my stomach churns.

For the millionth time I wish I’d never messed around with Ashley. I have a feeling I’ll be paying for that mistake for a long time.

Hayes furrows his brows. “Dude, are you really into the new girl? If I’d known that I wouldn’t have gotten involved. I just thought…” his voice trails off.

The other guys shut up too. Josh scowls. I flash him a triumphant smile. That’s the difference between me and Josh. I have the respect of my teammates. No matter what girl I choose, the guys will support me.

“Don’t sweat it. There’s nothin’ going on there. I just bumped into her. That’s all,” I say, easing their minds. It’s the truth. There’s no reason to start needless rumors. If the guys get even the slightest inkling that Taylor and I are a thing, news will spread like wildfire. It’s not like I care what people think. Hell, I’ll date whoever I want.

But the girl has to
want
to date me.

That girl couldn’t stand to be in my presence for two minutes. Not exactly the start of something. Even my mom would have to agree that a romance between Taylor and I is highly unlikely based on how she behaved.

Glancing up, I spot Emmy and Christian sliding onto the bench at the other end of the table. Snatching up my stuff, I head in their direction. Sitting next to my sister, I nudge her in the side.

“What do you know about the new girl?” I ask her.

“Why?” Her eyebrows shoot up.

I shrug. “Just curious.”

Christian’s lips curve upward. “Curious, huh?”

Ignoring him, I turn to Emmy.

She throws Christian a knowing smile that flips my stomach. Then she returns her attention to me. “Well, she’s living with Pastor Alex and his wife Molly. Apparently they’re her aunt and uncle.”

“I know that.” Everyone in Prairie Creek knows that. “Anything else?”

She shakes her head. “They’ve been pretty tight lipped about her past, and she’s not exactly welcoming.” Emmy curls up her nose. “I’ve tried to talk to her a couple of times, and she’s frozen me out.”

I nod, remembering the way she was with me.

“I mean, there’s been a lot of speculation about why she’s here, but nothing concrete,” she continues.

“Thanks,” I say, not wanting to hear rumors. I’m only interested in the truth. Not a bunch of crap someone made up. If I want that, I’ll read one of Mom’s books. 

Staring past Emmy, I look out the cafeteria’s smudged windows. Sitting under a tree is Taylor. She’s hunched over, spearing lettuce onto a plastic fork. When her head bobs up, her gaze shifts around the quad. My heart pinches at how lonely and lost she appears. Gone is the hard look she wore when we spoke. Alone in the grass, her expression is vulnerable and kind of sad.

“You should try again,” I say to Emmy.

“What?” She furrows her brows, her forehead a mess of squiggly lines.

“With Taylor. Talk to her again.”

“What’s your sudden interest in her, man?” Chris asks.

“I was just thinking about Emmy and how she doesn’t have any girlfriends,” I say.

Emmy bristles beside me.

“Taylor’s new and she doesn’t have any friends. It’s the perfect match,” I explain.

Chris reaches across the table, threading his fingers through Emmy’s. “She doesn’t need friends. She has me.”

Not helping
. I narrow my eyes at him. This conversation may have started because I was interested in Taylor, but the truth is I’m worried about my sister. She’s lonely even if she won’t admit it. “When did you grow boobs, dude?”

Christian’s eyes widen. “What?”

I pin him with a challenging stare. “Well, last I checked you weren’t a chick. Has that changed?”

Chris chuckles. “No, trust me. I’m all man.”

“Then you’re not her girlfriend. She needs a girlfriend,” I state firmly.

Christian’s eyes soften. His gaze slides to Emmy. “He’s right, you know.”

Emmy bites her lip. “But I’m fine. I’m better than fine. I’m happy.”

“I know you are, baby. So am I,” Christian says. “But it’s selfish for me to think I’m all you need. I mean, I’ve got Cal and the guys on the team.”

“Chris and I just want what’s best for you, Emmy,” I add, grateful that Chris stepped up to help me in this conversation. Things have changed now that they’re dating, but one thing has remained the same. Chris has always had Emmy’s back. We’ve worked as a team to protect her for years.

“I know.” She sighs. Chatter and laughter float from the other end of the table, and her gaze flickers over there momentarily.

“Hey.” Christian reaches across the table, sliding his finger under her chin and gently lifting her face. “I know you’re scared, but not every girl is like Ashley.”

“A lot of them are,” she says, and she does have a point.

“Taylor’s not,” I chime in.

“How do you know?” Emmy’s head whips in my direction.

“I can tell. I’ve always been a good judge of character, haven’t I?”

“I used to think you were.” Emmy’s gaze floats to where Ashley is now sitting next to Josh.

My stomach twists. “Trust me, I wasn’t with her for her character. I always knew the deal there.”

Emmy frowns.

“Hey, you know I would take it back if I could.”

“I know.” Emmy waves away my words. “And I won’t make you apologize again.”

Thank god.

“I’ll try to make nice with the new girl, okay?” She says.

My heart lifts, an involuntary smile leaping to my face.

“But I’m not making any promises,” Emmy adds. “If she treats me like crap, I’m finished.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” I’m proud that she’s finally grown a spine. “But I don’t think she’ll let you down. I have a good feeling about this one.”

And the truth is, I do. There’s something about Taylor. Something in her eyes, in her expression. It’s the same look I’ve seen on Emmy’s face ever since her friendship with Ashley ended. Taylor is lonely too. Maybe together the two of them can heal.

Screw this.

I’ve got to get out of this house. Out of this stuffy bedroom. Out from under my aunt and uncle’s watchful stare. I’m going stir crazy. At home I was always out with friends. Mom and Dad didn’t keep a tight rein on me. Pretty sure they’re regretting that now.

But it’s safe to go out here. It’s not like I can get into trouble. I don’t even have any friends. Besides, I doubt there’s much excitement around here anyway. In my former life, I’d wait until everyone went to bed, and I’d sneak out. But that’s not an option now. If I get caught doing that, Uncle Alex and Aunt Molly will never trust me. Then I’ll never get any freedom. Gathering up courage, I head downstairs.

Uncle Alex sits on the couch next to Aunt Molly, his hand resting on her thigh. Both of them face forward, watching something on the TV. When I glance up at the screen, a show I don’t recognize is playing.
Man, do they even have different shows around here?

“Hey,” I practically whisper from behind them.

They both turn.

“Hey,” Uncle Alex says, wearing a hopeful smile. “Wanna watch some TV with us?”

“We added some cable channels for you,” Aunt Molly interjects, her expression bright. “We got some of those channels the teens are watching nowadays. I think one of them is Nick-something or other, and I can’t remember what the other one is called.” She taps her index finger to her chin as if deep in thought.

I cringe, certain they didn’t get any channels I’ll be interested in. Still, I know they’re trying, so I force a smile. “Thanks, but I…um…actually was hoping to go for a walk. I just kinda need some…fresh air.”

Their faces fall a little, their smiles taking more effort. My insides knot, sure they’re going to say no.

“Want us to come with you?” Uncle Alex offers. “We can show you around town.”

I bite my lip. A part of me wants to say yes. It’s what they want, and I’ve done nothing but push them away. This is an easy way to throw them a bone. But the truth is, I’m feeling claustrophobic. I need some time to myself. A girl needs space. 

I’m an only child. My mom had some health problems after I was born and couldn’t have any other children. Therefore, she smothered me when I was a kid. As a toddler, I used to hide in closets and kitchen cabinets just to get away from her. To get some time to myself. Even though my mom let up as I got older, I guess that part of me has never changed.

“That would be great,” I say. “And maybe we can do that this weekend. But tonight I just kinda wanna be alone.” I pause. “If that’s okay with you?” When they don’t answer immediately, I rush to add, “I promise I won’t go far. And I’ll be home within the hour.”

They exchange a look, and I hold my breath. I marvel at how much my life has changed in such a short span of time. If you had told me two months ago that I would be living in some backwater town begging my aunt and uncle for an hour alone to go on a walk, I would’ve laughed at you.

Yet here I am.

“I guess it’s okay,” Uncle Alex speaks slowly. Aunt Molly’s face scrunches up with worry.

I know exactly what she’s worried about, and I can’t say that I blame her. Clearly they don’t trust me, and it’s not like I’ve ever given them reason to. I wish there was a way to convince them. Nodding, I realize that there is. It’s not with words. It’s with actions.

Glancing down at the watch wrapped around my wrist, I say, “Okay, I’ll be back within the hour.” I never used to wear a watch. Didn’t need to. I had a phone. But Dad bought this for me after they took my phone away. I didn’t really see its value until this moment. Maybe keeping my word will prove to them that I can be trusted.

I’m not naïve enough to think it will happen after one time, but eventually.

Uncle Alex’s head bobs up and down. “All right. We’ll see you then.” Leaning back on the couch, he attempts to seem nonchalant. But Aunt Molly doesn’t even pretend. She watches me with concerned eyes as I head toward the front door. Even when I head outside, I can feel her gaze boring a hole in the back of my head.

The air is cool with a slight breeze. I tug my sweater tighter around my body and scurry down the stairs of the front porch. The steps creak beneath the weight of my black boots. When I hit the grass, my heels crunch on leaves and twigs. After reaching the long driveway, I hurry down it, determined to relish my hour of freedom. I have no idea where I’ll go, but anywhere will feel exhilarating after spending weeks holed up in my aunt and uncle’s house.

I’m not directionally challenged. Unlike many of my girlfriends, I never need a GPS to tell me where to go. Since I’ve been riding a skateboard for years, I learned at an early age how to navigate through the city. Therefore, I’m good at reading street signs, and I’m cognizant of my surroundings. So even though I’ve only headed into Old Town a couple of times with Aunt Molly, I know exactly which way to turn to get there. At the end of the driveway, I make a right. If I wanted to get to the high school, I’d make a left, but there’s nothing near the high school. Besides, I go there every day. I haven’t done much exploring in town, so I figure I’ll head there.

It’s evening, and the sun is starting to go down. I have to admit that the sky looks pretty streaked in pinks and purples. It’s hard to see the sky like this back home. It’s obscured by buildings and bright lights. With the toe of my shoe, I kick at a rock on the ground. It skitters, rolling into a patch of grass on the side of the road. I turn a corner and Old Town comes into view. Of course, by “Old Town” I mean a few shops and a grocery store. My uncle’s church is at the end of the road. I catch sight of its stained glass windows and pointed roof.

The road winds to the right and I step up onto a curb. In front of me is a row of shops. I eye the bookstore, thinking how different it is from the ones in the city. Peering in the window, I wonder if it even carries the newest releases. From the looks of it, my guess is that it’s a used bookstore. Next to the bookstore is a boutique. Clearly it’s where Aunt Molly shops. In fact, I’m pretty sure I saw her in the same outfit the mannequin is wearing two days ago. I shake my head. I wouldn’t be caught dead in an outfit like that.

I pass by the boutique and come up on an antique shop. Pausing, my gaze lingers on a lampshade made of black fringe. Now this is my kind of store. I’ve always been fascinated by antiques. Items that are one of a kind. Unique. I love the idea of finding something so rare that no one else has it. My gaze scans the display in the window, antiques cluttering the small space. There are so many of them, it’s hard to take them all in.

As I’m studying each piece, movement to the right catches my attention. Glancing up, my breath hitches in my throat. Hot and cold flashes rip up and down my spine.
No, it can’t be.

Closing my eyes, I breathe in deeply and pray I’m seeing things. I pray my mind is playing tricks on me. Flipping my eyes open, my pulse quickens.

Nope. No tricks.

This is real.

He’s here.

How the hell did he find me?