Pepped Up and Ready (Pepper Jones #3)

by Ali Dean

  We’re winding down and getting ready to leave and I head over to the mat where Lexi is stretching to join her. Two girls are standing over her, and they are enormous compared to her. As I get closer, I realize it’s Savannah the amazon woman and one of her roommates who hangs in Jace’s common area. The one with pigtails. The other two who were there that night didn’t seem as vicious, probably because they were preoccupied with the boys they liked.

  But I don’t back down now. Instead, I position myself beside Lexi and begin stretching my hamstrings. It’s something I can do while still standing, which helps put me on their level. Well, they are both super tall so I’m more at shoulder height, but it’s better than sitting down.

  Lexi introduces pigtail girl, Veronica, and begins to introduce me to Savannah, who cuts her off. “We’ve met,” she says coldly.

  Lexi frowns. “Yeah, okay. Maybe we’ll see you at Alberto’s tonight then,” Lexi says in a dismissive voice. I’m impressed with her confidence in the midst of their intimidating stances.

  “You know them?” I ask when they walk away.

  “Not really,” Lexi tells me as she watches them go. “I’ve run into them a few times working out or at the athletes’ cafeteria, but we’re not friends or anything.”

  “You’re going to Alberto’s tonight? Isn’t that a bar?” It’s the most popular college bar.

  “Oh, yeah.” She breaks her gaze away from Savannah and pigtail girl. “It’s closed tonight to the public for a private party for all the recruits. I don’t know why I’m only hearing about it now, but the cross girls don’t spend a lot of time talking about party stuff, you know?”

  “Which teams will be there?” I wonder.

  She shrugs. “Beats me. Soccer at least, I know that.”

  But not football. Jace already told me about a different party for the football team. “Are they serving alcohol?” I mean it is a bar, after all, but it seems really stupid on the school’s part to host an event that serves alcohol to high school seniors.

  Lexi laughs. “Officially? Only to those of us with IDs,” she says with a glint in her eye. By the way she said “us”, I have a feeling Lexi is one of the more rebellious girls on the team.

  Tonight might be more fun than I thought. As long as I keep my distance from the amazon.

  Chapter 18

  The Dean of Athletics makes an announcement during dinner at the athletes’ cafeteria. He greets the recruits, talks about how honored UC is to have us, and highlights all the benefits of coming to his school. Before sending us off for the night, he makes clear that he expects the students to be good representatives of the athletic program tonight, and that there will be no underage drinking. It’s hard to tell if anyone is taking him seriously, but I for one will not be jeopardizing my chances at a scholarship. Everything has been going awesome so far, despite the awestruck reactions to my presence by the recruits, and getting drunk, or having anything to drink for that matter, is not on my agenda.

  We change in the dorms before hitting up Alberto’s. My clothing options are limited for a night out, but I pair my red jeans with a black tank and jean jacket, throw on some dangly earrings, and I’m ready to go. Sienna is my official “host” for the night, and while she checks in on me throughout the night, she’s resigned to Lexi taking over as my guide. We really hit it off working out, and she’s hilarious as we attempt to play pool. We’re both terrible, and she’s had a few beers, which makes her efforts even more entertaining. She keeps getting distracted when the music changes, claiming every song is her “favorite” as she belts out the lyrics.

  Her teammates are clearly fond of her too, and hang out with us by the pool table. Some of the guys’ cross team has joined us, but I haven’t spotted Ryan. I keep glancing around, wondering when he’ll show up. I’m nervous about how he’ll act toward me. Will he ignore me again? His teammates know we went to the same high school, and most of them probably know we dated too. So he can’t pretend he doesn’t know me.

  But the next time I glance up to look around, instead of seeing Ryan, it’s Clayton Dennison who I find gazing back, watching me intently. He doesn’t look away, like most people do when you catch them staring. Instead, he smiles. I glare back at him. Don’t forget Jace’s warning, Clayton, I want to tell him. But he only smiles wider.

  “You know Clayton Dennison?” Lexi asks beside me. We’ve passed the pool cues to others who want to play, and she’s standing beside me with a drink in hand. I have a drink too, but it’s a diet Coke.

  “Not really.” I attempt to sound disinterested, but she’s watching me closely. “He went to my high school, that’s all.”

  “He’s so hot,” she says dreamily.

  He is attractive, there’s no denying it. But when Savannah sidles up next to him, my whole body tenses.

  “Hi Pepper.” Ryan’s voice distracts me and I turn to find him standing beside Lexi. “Hey, Lexi,” Ryan greets her as well.

  “How’s it going, Ryan?” she asks.

  “One of the recruits got wasted,” he tells us. “None of us gave him alcohol so I’m not sure how he pulled it off.”

  “Is he acting like an idiot?” Lexi asks.

  “Pretty much,” Ryan responds, seemingly unsurprised. “He was annoying all day though, thinking he was hot shit, so none of us really care.”

  “Is he a good runner?” I wonder, curious if his running talent will outweigh his annoyingness.

  Ryan glances at me and shrugs. “He’s no Pepper Jones, if that’s what you mean.”

  I roll my eyes. “Well, obviously he didn’t win Nationals last year because you did,” I remind him. There can only be one National Champion. My stomach churns, the knowledge that it probably won’t be me again this year making me queasy.

  “He didn’t even make Nationals, so after acting like a tool all day and especially tonight, his chances of getting a scholarship offer are slim to none.” Ryan’s eyes lock on me when he says this, and then he nudges Lexi in the shoulder. “How about the girls? Is it a cool group?”

  Lexi nods and opens her mouth to say something but is interrupted by Savannah and Clayton, who manage to maneuver themselves into our circle. “Yo!” Clayton fist bumps Ryan. “What’s going on, man?”

  Savannah appraises us with her cat-like eyes. “I’m surprised Jace isn’t here, Pepper,” Savannah says, but she’s looking at Ryan. What a weird girl.

  “The football team must not have recruits this weekend,” I tell her. “He’s at a house party or something.” I can’t remember what he told me about his plans anymore, but her mention of my boyfriend puts me on high alert.

  “Oh yeah,” Clayton says with a nod. “Turner and the football house are hosting something tonight. They only host this one party all fall and it’s usually pretty epic. I’m bummed to miss out this year.”

  “Can’t be too epic if all the awesomeness on campus is right here,” Lexi says with her charming smile. She’s oblivious to the underlying tension in this conversation.

  “Good point,” Clayton responds. “I like this girl.”

  Savannah scowls and Lexi booms, “This girl has a name. I’m Lexi.”

  Clayton introduces himself and Savannah, who turns her gaze back at me. It makes me flinch, and I groan internally that I’ve shown her she does, in fact, intimidate me a little.

  “If I were Jace’s girlfriend,” she says slowly, letting that obnoxious declaration seep in, “I’d want to be at that party. This is the last time this season the football players party hard before they buckle down for the rest of the season. They go wild, and so do the girls. I’m sure the place is swarming with girls.”

  My hands ball into fists as I attempt to make my face remain neutral. It’s incredibly challenging. “I’m not worried.” I trust Jace. But what about these crazy girls? She’s right. They’ll be all over him.

  “Why are you such a bitch?” Lexi asks Savannah in a tone that is not at all bitchy. I can’t help it. She’s so small and cute that the wo
rds coming out of her mouth make me burst into laughter. Ryan and Clayton join me a moment later and Lexi rocks back on her heels with a satisfied smirk. Savannah gives us all a disgusted look before storming away, which only makes us laugh harder.

  I almost forget that Clayton is an enemy for a moment. He doesn’t seem all that threatening when he’s laughing hard at a girl who was bitchy to me. Sure, he’s a jerk for being so consumed with his status on campus and that shows that underneath his confident air, he’s probably insecure. People like Clayton need others’ approval, or worship, in order to feel good about themselves. Not Jace. He’s got the worship from others, but he doesn’t need it, or even want it. He knows who he is, and that’s why he’s so damn attractive.

  We continue chatting with Ryan and Clayton, and others join us. Knowing we’re all athletes gives us a sense of camaraderie, and I almost feel like I already belong at UC. Like I’m one of them. But then something strange starts to happen.

  At first, the conversations around me begin to sound slurred, and it almost feels like I’m drunk. Sloppy drunk. The ground feels like it’s rippling in waves beneath me. Can anyone tell? I keep glancing around, expecting someone on the cross team to look at me in disapproval. But no one is paying attention.

  I glance down at my drink. Did the bartender accidentally put rum in this? Did he think I wanted a rum and Coke? Whiskey and Coke? What do people usually drink with Coke? But when I take another sip, it doesn’t taste funny. It tastes like soda normally tastes.

  Taking a deep breath, I gather myself and walk slowly to the bar, determined not to trip. But my body wavers back and forth, and I grasp onto someone’s shoulder, afraid I’ll fall.

  “Pepper?” The voice is fuzzy, like it’s coming from a static radio channel. My head tilts to the side. Clayton Dennison. Why is he calling my name?

  I make out the bartender who served me this soda and I attempt to lift my arm to get his attention, but it feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. I glare at my arm. What has happened to it? The bartender is trying to get my attention now. That’s weird. My arm wouldn’t even lift and now the bartender is snapping his fingers at me. Blinking in confusion, I remember why I’m standing here.

  “This drink,” I point to my drink, but when I do, the room begins to spin so quickly that I can no longer keep my balance. And then everything goes black.

  ***

  My head hurts so badly that I’m afraid to open my eyes. It’s like someone is hitting me on the head with a hammer. Searing pain vibrates through me and it’s only the familiar scent of Jace Wilder on my pillow that provides enough reassurance for me to confront the world. Blinking rapidly, I take in my surroundings. A desk, a chair, a glass of water and bottle of Advil on the bedside table.

  Groaning, I try to lift my head, but the shooting pain keeps me down.

  “Shhh…” his voice says in my ear. He strokes the hair on my temple. “Let me help you up.” Jace’s strong arms lift me from behind and despite how slowly he eases me into a sitting position, I hiss at the throbbing in my head. He reaches for the pills and hands me three Advil along with a glass of water. I swallow them and stare blankly ahead.

  He rubs my back and it isn’t long before the memories of last night infiltrate the wall I was momentarily able to put up. And then the lack of memories. Just, nothing.

  “What happened?” I croak out. Fear has hit me so hard I can hardly feel the pulsing in my head anymore. It’s like an avalanche engulfing me. Something horrible happened to me. I completely lost it. Just blacked out in a bar. On my official visit to UC, the college I’ve wanted to go to my entire life. I’m gasping for air, realizing I may have lost everything. Everything. And I don’t even know why. I can’t understand it. What the hell happened?

  Not everything, I’m reminded, when Jace takes my hands in his and adjusts us so we’re facing each other.

  “What do you remember?” he asks quietly, like his own voice could hurt me.

  I tell him about playing pool with Lexi, talking with Ryan, and then Savannah and Clayton. “Lexi called Savannah out on being a bitch, and then she left.”

  “Who left?” Jace asks, and I wonder why that’s important.

  “Savannah. And then we all laughed. She was acting so vicious. It was just funny.” My thoughts are still jumbled. “More people came around us and we were all just talking. I think I was having fun. But then things started to change.”

  I describe how it felt. I’m not exactly familiar with what it’s like to be drunk, but that’s what I think I felt like. “So I tried to go to the bar to see what was in my drink. Because I thought I’d just been drinking soda…” My voice drifts off.

  I try to remember any details from the moment right before I passed out. “It was like a tunnel was sucking me in and everything got farther away. Someone was calling my name. Clayton, I think.”

  Jace’s lack of response confuses me. I expect him to tense at that, but he doesn’t.

  “What else?” he asks.

  “I think a lot of people were watching,” I whisper. “Everyone saw. And then I don’t remember anything.”

  Jace’s calm demeanor is forced, I know it. He’s trying to be the strong one right now. He sees the confusion and fear on my face, and he sighs. “I was walking to Alberto’s with Frankie around midnight. I’d had enough of the house party I told you I had to go to. We weren’t sure if the football team was invited to the recruit event, since we didn’t have any recruits visiting, but I was hoping to catch you there.”

  Get to the point, Jace, I think. I have to know what happened to me.

  “When I saw Dennison walking along the sidewalk, carrying your limp body, I snapped.” Jace lowers his eyes, ashamed. “It’s all I saw at first. He was walking quickly, like he was in a hurry, and you weren’t moving at all. My heart fucking stopped, Pepper, and I reacted.”

  “What did you do?” I whisper. I hadn’t thought of what Jace might have done. The fear inside me ratchets up another notch.

  “Nothing,” he says quickly, sensing my fear. “Well, I probably charged him like a fucking bull or something, but I don’t really remember. Thank God Frankie was there. That dude is strong. I’m sure I wasn’t easy to hold back.”

  He looks up again, stroking his calloused thumb along my cheekbone and shaking his head. “I was drugged, wasn’t I?” There’s no other explanation. “Do you think it was Clayton?” I ask, wide-eyed and wondering what the hell might have happened if Jace hadn’t been there. Oh God.

  Jace shakes his head. “I don’t know. I was too crazed to see that he was with others. Two girls on the cross team. Lexi and someone else.”

  “Sienna?”

  “Yeah, Sienna. And Ryan.” His muscles twitch at that, but he continues. “Once I took in the others, I realized I’d misunderstood what I saw. They were going to take you to the school infirmary. It was closed by then, though.”

  “Did you take me to the hospital?”

  “No, but we still can. We thought about it and I don’t know if we made the right decision. We can still go,” Jace offers, searching my eyes.

  I quickly shake my head, “No, everyone will hear about this if I do.”

  Jace nods, feeling a bit more reassured that his decision was the right one. “That’s what we decided. Lexi swore you didn’t drink any alcohol and the others vouched that you were acting completely sober until a couple minutes before you passed out. You were breathing fine and everything so we just monitored you. It was like you were sleeping.”

  I take in the dark circles under Jace’s eyes and realize he has been awake all night, watching me. I know his visible exhaustion isn’t just from sleep deprivation. Jace has stayed up all night partying before and never looks this completely drained. He was scared. And fear will suck the energy right out of you.

  But through my concern for him, my fear for my own safety and health, and the pounding on my brain, I suddenly realize I’m supposed to be at the recruitment breakfast.

&n
bsp; “What time is it?” I ask, alarmed.

  “Ten AM, but don’t worry, Lexi and Sienna have it taken care of.”

  His words do not reassure me. I jump out of bed, and stumble around looking for my shoes. “This is so bad. So, so bad,” I repeat over and over. I’ll never get a scholarship now.

  “Pep, Sienna and Lexi told the coaches that you got sick and had to go home. They got you out of Alberto’s so fast they didn’t think others really noticed who was being carried out.”

  I hadn’t even thought of that. “Are you kidding? Jace, I’m sure everyone saw. I collapsed in the middle of a crowded bar.” And as I say it, I remember Savannah looking at me right before it all went black. If she saw, everyone knows. This really couldn’t be any worse.

  Well, it could be a lot worse, actually. I shudder at that thought. Who did this to me? Why?

  “I should just go to the coaches and explain what happened. I mean, it wasn’t my fault.”

  Jace watches me as I slip my shoes on. “That’s your decision, Pep, but you might want to talk to Sienna and Lexi first.”

  “Why?”

  “They were really scared how the coaches would react. They think the coaches will flip, Pepper. Not at you,” he says patiently, noting my stricken look, “at the team, for letting this happen. You’re the most important high school recruit in the country.”

  “No. I’m not.” I can’t even run right now. How can he say that?

  “You are,” Jace says fiercely. “And the coaches will have to report the incident, do an investigation. Word will get around the NCAA that this happened, and it will be real bad for the team. Just think about it before you tell the coaches. I know you, and I know you won’t want people scrutinizing you over this.”