Unbreakable (Accidental Crush #3) (16 page)

Just relax and take it all in. It’s a friendly game of tackle football.
Yeah, tackle football with two boys who hate each other
.

Once Todd kicks off, he starts playing defense since Casey’s team has the ball. Both teams are playing full tackle, so it’s pretty rough, and everyone is showered with mud. Even though Casey has only been out there for a few plays, he’s already caked with it, but so far, so good.

I take my place next to Sid and Shane.

“So how was the date?” Sid asks under her breath.

“Good.” I give her a smile that says it was anything but good, knowing I need to be cautious of the ears all around us.

“That’s good.” She gives me the same smile back.

“Johnny looks great,” I say, noticing he’s just as skilled at defense as he is at quarterback.

“Just friends, remember,” Shane says without taking his eyes off the field.

I know I should be watching Casey to keep up the act, but I can’t take my eyes off Todd.

Adam, one of his teammates, says something to him, and he changes positions on the field, so now he’s right in front of Casey.

Why?
How did Ryan let this happen?

Ryan notices at the same time I do, but it’s too late; the ball is already in the air. When Todd leaps up and catches the ball our side erupts. People start screaming, “Interception! Go, Hamilton.”

Todd is an incredible athlete. He could have been a receiver or even a quarterback, but he chose to be a kicker, mostly because that was the only way his mom would let him play and also because he’s really good.

Casey rams him and slams him down hard. Really hard. Then the cheers of celebration from our side turn into shouting at the players from Ridgewood.

“What the fuck? Not cool.”

My heart stops. Todd is on the ground. Ryan is running over to him, Brian, Mark, and Adam, whom I could kill right now, are right behind him, poised for a fight. I see the realization in Casey’s face as he glances back at me.

Todd slowly sits up. “I’m good,” he says to the guys surrounding him, but I can tell he’s still a little stunned. Ryan helps him up, and Todd shakes it off.

“This should be fun,” Shane says, laced with sarcasm.

I just glare at him then quickly bring my attention back to the field.

Todd turns away from Casey, and I’m proud that he’s not taking the bait. Then Casey says something that I can’t make out, and Todd turns back around, his focus locked on Casey. In three quick strides, his hands are on Casey’s chest, pushing him back hard, the mud on his shirt flying through the air from the impact.

Shit.

All of the Ridgewood players stand taller, as if they are ready for this fight, while Todd is backed by the entire Easthaven team who all instinctively step forward with raised chests.

“What? You can’t handle that I’m on a date with your ex-girlfriend?” Casey shouts.

Todd glances at me, and I shake my head. I see it all over his face; he wants to tell him.

When Ryan grabs Todd’s shoulder as a warning and reminder, Todd takes Ryan in and then turns back to Casey. He’s in a zone, his eyes zeroed in on him, and my heart is pounding in my ears.

Don’t do it. Don’t say it.

Then Todd’s voice cuts through the pounding.

“She’s not my ex-girlfriend. She’s my girlfriend.”

I can’t move. This must be what being in shock feels like. My mouth is dry; my heart is pounding; I can’t speak. All I can do is stand here, motionless. I can’t believe he just said that out loud in front of everyone.

“Dream on!” Casey shouts back.

Neither of them look in my direction; they are locked on each other.

I start to step forward, but Sid and Shane sandwich me on either side.

“Don’t, Ash. Just stay back.” Shane rests his hand on my arm.

I can’t believe this is happening here in front of all of these people, but if I don’t say anything, I know they are going to fight again.

I take a deep breath and shout as loud as my voice will allow, “It’s true.”

All heads turn in my direction, all eyes now on me.

“What?” Casey asks, his face filled with confusion.

I feel Shane drop his hand, and I take a step forward, finding the strength in my voice again. “I said … it’s true.”

I sense RTS stiffen and hear a few murmurs around me, but my focus is on Todd and Casey; everyone else melts away.

“What’s true?” Casey asks with trepidation.

“We’re still together. We’re lying because of our parents. They made us break up, and they can’t know the truth.” There, I said it. Now everyone knows.

My eyes lock on Todd’s, and his smile tells me I did the right thing. I don’t care anymore. I can’t hide it. I won’t hide it. If we have to run away to be together, so be it.

Ryan starts to pace and run his muddy hands through his hair, his stress palpable. I know he thinks I’m wrong, but I needed to do this.

“Well, they will know now. It’s a good thing me and Mr. Taylor are so tight,” Casey says to Todd with a calm grin. Then he turns to me. “He’s bad for you, Ashley. You just can’t see it.”

Todd steps up, inches from Casey’s face, his voice rigid, and I can see him trying to control himself, calm himself down.

“You listen to me,” Todd says, and Ryan steps up so he is right behind him while the rest of the team is right behind Ryan. “You won’t say a word, not one word, or that will be the last breath you take. Here’s how it’s going to go down. You went out with Ashley, and you had a great time. Maybe you’ll even go out again. That’s what her parents need to know.” With each word, he’s getting closer and closer to Casey. They are practically chest to chest. “But you won’t. You understand me. You won’t go out with her again.” Todd is now fully in his face, his finger slamming into Casey’s chest. “You won’t touch her, talk to her, breathe on her.”

I know what’s coming next; we have been here before, too many times.

My eyes land on my brother. I need his help.

“Ryan, stop him!” I shout, pleading.

Todd continues, “You have no idea how hard it is for me to stand here and see your arm around her, to see you holding her hand. So I hope you enjoyed it, because it’s done.” He fully pushes him in the chest, and Casey stumbles backward.

Ryan pulls Todd back as soon as his hand makes full contact with Casey’s chest, and the rest of the team steps in.

Casey isn’t backing down. He regains his stance in front of Todd. “You really have issues, you know that? We’re on a date because I asked and she said yes. If that hurts you, then maybe you should talk to her.” Casey gestures in my direction, and once again, all eyes are on me, but the only ones I care about are Todd’s.

His lips break into a smile as soon as our eyes lock. I feel my heartbeat start to slow to a steady pace, my entire body relaxing with just his smile.

His eyes are on me, but his words are for Casey. “She told me every detail. I knew everything. She loves me; she used you.”

I see Casey flinch from those words and then his fist slams into Todd’s jaw.

“Damn!” Todd shouts, his hand flying to his face, and then he shakes his head as if he’s shaking off the impact.

Not again. He can’t get into any more trouble
.

Then, out of nowhere, Ryan nails Casey hard with a right hook to the center of his face.

“You just don’t know when to stop, do you?” Ryan shouts to Casey who is now on the ground.

That one hit from Ryan is like an invitation for everyone on the field to jump in. Mud and fists start flying everywhere, and I lose sight of Todd and Ryan.

Brian comes running up to us. “Get out of here. Go wait by the cars.”

“I’m not leaving.” I press my feet deeper into the soft, muddy ground.

“Ashley, do you really think they would want you to get hurt? Go. It’s getting ugly.”

“You need to stop them, Brian,” Blythe says, locking her fingers with his.

Brian glances back at the muddy brawl where the lighthearted game has turned into a bloody battle. Then he turns back to us with a smile as he raises his eyebrows. “Oh, I will.” Brian lives for stuff like this. “Shane, get the girls out of here, wait in my car. Blythe, you have the keys, right?”

She nods and then leans in to kiss him. “Be careful.”

“Always,” he says with a wicked smile before his hand breaks away from hers, and he runs back into the mayhem.

RYAN

What the hell am I doing? How did we get into this?
It was supposed to be a fun pickup game to distract Todd. I blame Ashley; somehow, it always comes back to my sister.

Brian breaks through the crowd, running toward me.

“Where are the girls?” I shout to him as we both duck to avoid the swinging fists flying in our direction.

“Shane is taking them to my car.”

“Thanks,” I say then turn to slam my fist into someone who was about to attack from behind. I say a silent thank you for my quick reflexes then spin to miss another hit and find myself right in front of Todd. “So, this is fun,” I shout over to him.

“Yeah, a blast,” he says as his fist connects with someone from Ridgewood. “I hear it’s good to find an outlet for your anger. We should do this more often.” He hits the same kid again.

I shake my head and laugh as I avoid another hit. Then my eyes land on Brian who is pummeling someone else from Ridgewood. I quickly glance over to where I know Gretchen was standing a few minutes ago. It’s empty.

Out of nowhere, a fist connects with my jaw.
Damn, pay attention, or you’re going to get yourself killed.
Ridgewood kids may be rich, but they can fight. I know all of my boys can hold their own, so I’m not too concerned about them.

Gretch is fine. Just fight, dumbass.

I turn and clock the same asshole who just nailed me. Seeing him fall to the ground floods me with satisfaction. I don’t even know this kid, but I’m glad I nailed him.

“Ry, behind you,” Todd yells over, so I swing as I turn and clock someone else hard. Then my eyes focus on who it is.

Fuuuuuck
.

“Oh, man.” Todd is frozen. “I was trying to give you a heads up.”

“Shit. Dad?”

“Nice language, son,” he scolds as he rubs his jaw. “And nice right hook.”

“Dad, what are you doing here?” I glance around, seeing the fight seems to be fizzling. Most of Ridgewood is on the ground or surrendering; however, there are still a few fists flying, mostly from my friends who are diehards.

“We should move.” I guide my dad out of harm’s way. He’s still rubbing his jaw, and I know I’m screwed.

Todd starts to follow, but I shake my head for him to stay back. I don’t think my dad saw or heard him, and it’s probably best if it stays that way.

“Sorry about your jaw, Dad.”

He cocks his head with raised eyebrows while his hand still cradles his face. I know this look. He is not happy. It’s rare that he’s speechless, and it’s never good.

“What are you doing here? Is Mom okay?”

His look softens at my concern. “Yeah, she’s fine. It’s eleven o’clock; Ashley was supposed to be home an hour ago, and then I got a call telling me I could find her here with Todd.”

Fucking Casey.
But how did he have time?

“Who called?” I ask.

“It was a girl. Rebecca?”

Shit.
Ashley’s right; she’s had it out for her from day one. As much as I want to kill my sister for this fight, I feel the need to protect her. “Ash wasn’t with Todd; she was here with Casey.”

“Well, either way, she missed curfew by an hour.” My dad looks around at the bloody mess the field has become. “What was this about?”

Red Solo cups are littering the field; guys are sitting on the ground covered in mud; the ones still standing are helping them up; and some are roaming around aimlessly with dazed looks plastered on their faces. No one knows why we started fighting. School pride? That’s dumb. And I can’t tell my dad I kind of started it because of Ash, Todd, and Casey. I need to make it to the senior ski trip in three weeks, and if he knew the truth, he would never let me go.

When I see Todd glancing over here from across the field as he helps Adam up, I mouth, “
Tell Ash to go home now,
” from behind my dad.

Todd’s head nod tells me he’s on it. Ashley needs to beat my dad home for both of their sakes.

Then I turn back to my dad. “Who knows? Punches were thrown, and it got out of hand. I’m sure that’s why Ash is late and why she couldn’t call. It got a little crazy.”

“You can say that again.” My dad rubs his jaw at the reminder. “I think you dislocated it.” He sounds more impressed than angry. “Well, either way, she’s done with dating for a while. It never seems to go well. Where is Casey?”

I can actually answer this one honestly. “I don’t know.” Then, to really sweeten the deal, I add, “I’m sure he’s dropping Ash off at home right now.” Sensing his good mood, I figure now is my shot. “I wish you would lay off her, Dad. You know Todd is a good guy. I don’t get it. He practically grew up at our house.”