Striker: A Dark Bully Romance (Redwood Rebels Book 1) Rachel Leigh (the reading list book .TXT) 📖

from the out spray of mist. “This way,” he says, as we duck all the way down and walk beneath the low seats of the bleachers, trying to hide our steps and faces.

Basketballs dribble against the floor continuously as sneakers squeak across. Five seconds later, the whoosh sound of the ball going in the net has everyone shouting.

“Fuck,” Tommy bellows, as his head scrapes against the metal of the bleacher. He rubs his hand over it, and I'm not sure why, but I laugh, and his laughter follows.

“What have you gotten us into, Tommy Chambers?” I whisper-talk. We may be late for fourth period, might possibly get caught vandalizing the gym wall, and possibly create rumors about ourselves, but this is the first time I’ve felt alive all week—possibly longer. Definitely longer. Ever since Mom passed away, the days have sort of just blended together in one big fog. Then Axel left. Dad’s always gone. I often question what this life is even for and then I have a moment like this and I’m reminded. Sometimes life is simply about living. It’s not wrapped in fancy paper in a pretty box. It’s a mess of emotions that change from one moment to the next. It’s the highs and the lows—and like Tommy said—everything in between.

We finally make it to the end of the bleachers, and Tommy looks from me to the door in front of us. “Slow and quiet,” he whispers, before we both emerge from under the stands. I don’t even look over at the class, out of fear that someone is looking back at us. Tommy slowly opens the door, and I book it. Hurried steps lead us down the hall and we both burst out in laughter.

Stopping at my locker, I pull it open. I have it rigged up so I don’t even have to turn it to my combination. “You better get going. You’re already late,” I tell Tommy as he lingers next to me.

“I’m always late. I’ll walk you to class and maybe I’ll make an appearance in mine.”

There is something about his expression and tone. It’s comforting and kind, and I get the feeling that him walking me to class has nothing to do with the rules the guys set forth, but more so because he wants to.

As we’re walking at a leisurely pace down the quiet halls, I start to feel a sliver of respect and dare I say trust in the guy walking next to me. “Hey Tommy?” I pause when he looks at me. “Everything is going to be alright, isn’t it?’

“With J? Yeah, it’ll all be fine. Don’t worry.”

“No,” I grip my books tightly to my chest, “with the guys? With me?”

When he doesn’t speak, but looks over at me with a face full of remorse, I get my answer. Nodding my head, I accept my fate.

When we reach my class, I stop before opening the door. “It was fun. Thanks.”

Tommy begins walking away but turns and looks back over his shoulder. “I’ll never hurt you. That I can promise.”

His words give me a warm and comforting feeling that has the corners of my lips tugging up.

I think I may have just made a friend—and I could really use one right about now.

10

“Would you quit pacing and sit your ass down,” I grumble from the couch as Zed takes long strides in front of the door. He’s been there since school got out ten minutes ago, while chewing nervously on the skin of his thumb. “Tommy texted and said everything’s been fine. No suspicion, no questions.”

We’ve all been a ball of nerves ever since Josh was deemed a missing person. It won’t be long until his car is found, and they assume that he’s lost in the bottomless lake.

His movements stop. “She’s a loose cannon. I don’t trust her.”

“We’ve got enough insurance. Don’t start plotting again. There is no way that girl is gonna say anything.”

“It’s not enough.”

Dropping the PS4 controller on the couch, I jump up. “It is enough. If you push her any further, it’ll be too much. Just let this play out.”

My phone begins vibrating in my pocket, so I pull it out. My gaze darts to Zed. “Fuck. He’s calling again. I thought we settled this shit last night.”

“Don’t answer it. They’re here.” He pulls the door open and walks outside.

Dropping the phone down on the couch, I get up and meet them at the door.

Thirty seconds later, they all come inside. Marni actually looks happy for a split second until her eyes meet mine. “How was school?” I ask, as I walk over to her and position my hand between her back and the straps of her backpack. Sliding it down her arm, I take it and drop it on the couch.

When her only response is her nose in the air and a scowl, I look to Tommy for an answer.

“It was fine. No problems. She was a very well-behaved student,” Tommy says, as he and Marni catch a look from each other and both smile.

Marni grabs her bag off the couch. “I’m going to my room.”

“What was that all about?” I ask Tommy, who is still sporting a shit-eating grin.

“What?” He plays dumb. “It was nothing. Just a good day. Is that a problem?”

Zed untucks a cigarette from behind his ear. “Shit, maybe we should have had Tommy get the goods from her. She seems to like him more than your ass.” He walks out the front door, leaving it open as he takes a seat on the porch steps and lights his smoke.

Just because they had a good day at school doesn’t mean she’s suddenly falling for Tommy. A burn smolders inside my stomach. If he seriously thinks he’s gonna form some unbreakable bond with Marni just so he can try and weasel his way between her legs, he’s dreaming. I’ll break every fucking bone his body before I let him, or any of these assholes, lay a finger on