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 g
et it. He practically grew up at our house.”
“I’m not getting into this with you right now, Ryan, but I hope you’re right. You’re lucky I’m going to look past this and not tell your mom what happened here tonight. I was young once, you know.” He glances around the field again, taking it all in. He gives a head nod to Johnny who walks by us, covered in mud, but other than that, he looks unscathed.
“Hi, Mr. Taylor!” Johnny belts out as if they are casually running into each other at the mall. As soon as he passes my dad, he mouths, “What the fuck?” to me with wide eyes.
I only shrug. Good question.
TODD
I need to find Ashley to get her home before her dad.
I catch a glimpse of Blythe’s red hair first. She’s sitting on the hood of Brian’s car.
My heart is racing, but as soon as my eyes land on Ashley, I feel it slow to a steady rhythm, and I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding.
“Ashley!” I yell out to her. The smile on her face is incredible when her eyes meet mine. She jumps off the hood of Brian’s car and starts running toward me.
“I was so worried about you,” she says breathlessly as she kisses me, pressing her body into mine. I run my hands down her back. I know I’m getting mud all over her, but neither of us really cares. I want her close, always.
“I was worried about you, too,” I tell her, sliding my hands from her jawline to her neck. Then I remember why I needed to find her, and I pull back. “You need to go. Your dad is here.”
“What?” Her eyebrows scrunch together as I see her trying to process it. “Here?” Then her confusion is replaced with concern as her fingers gently glide over my eyebrow. “You’re bleeding.”
I’m not surprised. Adrenaline is soaring through me, so I feel no pain, but I will tomorrow. It doesn’t matter. I don’t want her to worry, and she needs to go now. No delays.
I give her my best no-cares-in-the-world smile. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. You need to get home before your dad.” I intertwine my fingers with hers and start to pull her toward my car.
“Whooaaa. Where are you going?” Blythe cuts in front of us as she places a hand on my chest.
“Ashley’s dad is here, and I need to get her home before he gets there.”
“Hold on, lover boy. Do you really think it’s a good idea for you to bring her home?”
I stop for a second. I didn’t think about that, but she’s right.
Ash starts to frantically look around. “Well, have you seen Casey?” I see the regret on her face as the question leaves her lips.
“Stop. I’ll take you,” Blythe says, her southern drawl breaking through. She’s on edge; it’s always thicker when she’s angry or nervous. “I’ve got Brian’s keys. Todd, I’ll meet you guys back here or text me where to meet you if you leave before I get back.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Great. Let’s go, Ash.” She grabs Ashley’s hand and then turns back and gives me a sweet smile. “Oh, and Todd, don’t call me ma’am again.”
“Yes, sir.” I salute her with a smile.
“You’re hilarious,” she shouts as she slides into the driver’s side of Brian’s car.
I want to be in that car, and I hate that I can’t. When I tap the hood as they backup, Blythe stops, and I stick my head through the passenger’s side window to give Ashley one last kiss.
“I love you.” I whisper then I give Blythe a smile and mouth, “Thank you.”
“Love you, too,” Blythe says with a wink.
“Take care of that eye,” Ashley shouts back as I stand there, watching their taillights disappear into the distance.
“Um … Where’s my car?” I hear Brian’s voice from behind me.
“Blythe needed to give Ash a ride home. Hope that’s okay,” I tell him, turning to find all of the guys on our team walking toward the parking lot. “So it’s done?”
“Done. We killed those rich pricks!” Brian shouts back louder than necessary since he’s now right in front of me.
“Hey, you wish, Johnson!” I hear someone yell from across the parking lot.
“You want to go again?” Mark shouts back, stepping forward.
His actions are met with silence, so I guess that answers that.
“Where’s Ryan?” I ask, noticing he’s the only one still not here.
Brian nods his head in the direction of the field. “With his dad.” Then his eyes get wide, and his eyebrows rise with silent questioning.
I shake my head with disbelief, but internally, I’m relieved that his dad is still here so Ash will make it home before he does. Hopefully her mom is asleep. It’s doubtful, but I can hope.
Then my eyes land on Casey walking toward the parking lot with Ryan and Mr. Taylor, and my heart starts to race.
I glare at him, but Ryan intercepts my look and gives me the tiniest of headshakes, telling me Casey is cool and didn’t say anything. With that small gesture from Ryan, I know Casey is sticking to our story, at least for now. I don’t know what Ryan said or did to keep Casey in line, but whatever it is, I’m incredibly grateful.
Chapter 15: Something New
ASHLEY
“Can we talk?”
I hear the question I have been dreading. I try to avoid his gaze, just as I’ve been doing at practice all week. There is very little evidence of the fight left on Casey’s face from the night of our date, except a few healing bruises are a reminder.
“Ashley.” I feel his hand on my shoulder, and my heart sinks because I know I can’t avoid him any longer. “Please.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I nod my head. Here goes nothing.
He leads the way to our usual meeting place that we shared this summer. Our team is using the indoor pool now, but our lockers are still in the break house. The familiar orange shag rug feels like an old friend as we sit cross-leg and fall right back into our regular routine. I focus on the rug’s loops while I pull at them, anything to avoid Casey’s green eyes.
“So you’ve been avoiding me,” he says with a warm smile that says so much more than his words.
Although I can’t help returning his smile, there wasn’t really a question, so I don’t say anything.
“I get it, Ashley. I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry for everything these past few months.”
My eyes instantly lock with his. This is not where I thought this conversation was going to go.
“I just—I’ve never been told no before, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I knew if you gave me the chance, I could change your mind.” As his hand reaches out and touches my knee, my gut reaction is to pull away, but the touch is so caring and gentle; it’s different. Casey is different. “And then, when I thought you guys broke up, I knew that was my chance.” He shakes his head, his gaze shifting to the carpet for a second and then quickly meeting mine again. “I kind of lost sight of you and your feelings, and it just became a game I needed to win. I couldn’t take no for an answer. I couldn’t accept it. I mean, you know I have some parental issues.” He smiles, and it fills his entire face. “I guess my issues are worse than I thought.”
A small chuckle escapes his lips. “I needed to get what I wanted, and I lost sight of what you wanted. I’m sorry for that. In turn, I’m afraid I’ve destroyed a good friendship. Have I?” This is the first question he asked; the first time he left a pause for my response.
I see the pain in his eyes along with genuine concern, and my heart fills with regret. Not for anything I did, but for how Casey had to grow up. As much as I hate my parents right now, I can’t imagine a life with them absent.
I reach for his hand, feeling the need to touch him. “Casey, you didn’t lose me as a friend, but you never had me as a girlfriend. There was never a chance. I mean, last summer, I thought maybe there could be, but I told you then my heart belongs to someone else, and nothing will really ever change that, not you, not my parents, not Ryan.”
Casey’s eyes shift at
the mention of my brother’s name, and he smiles.
“What?”
“Well, Ryan is actually the person who made that pretty clear for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“In addition to his fist connecting with my face, he kind of knocked some sense into me between punches.”
“How?” I try to hide my shock. My brother has never been a supporter of my relationship with his best friend, at least not openly.
“Let’s just say he’s a good brother, a better one than I am; that’s for sure.”
I lean in closer, needing to touch him again, but as a friend, to comfort him. I know he still carries a lot of pain for what happened to his sister. I also know I can’t fix that.
“That’s not true, Casey, and you know it.” I wish he could hear my words.
His smile meets mine. “Thanks, Ashley Taylor, for everything. Sorry I was a little crazy these past few months. I guess it runs in my family.”
At that, we both laugh, and I know we’ll be fine. It will never be the same between us, but that’s a good thing.
***
Meet me at Francis’s truck in the SL.
I can’t help laughing out loud. The Francis thing never gets old.
It’s Todd’s last day of school before he leaves for winter break. It’s been three weeks since the fight at the field—aka, my date with Casey.
Things with Casey have been good since our talk. He finally seems to understand Todd isn’t going anywhere. Maybe he believes in true love after all, even if it’s not with him.
I am also officially grounded forever. My parents are still suspicious since RTS called my house and told them they could find me with Todd the night of the fight. My dad never told me he went to the field, but Ryan told me everything, or at least, I thought he did. I’m not so sure now after my conversation with Casey. Either way, my parents still think Todd and I are broken up, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be allowed back out of the house until I’m thirty.
Thanks for that, Rebecca!
Todd is leaving tomorrow to meet with the Penn State and Boston College coaches. Both schools have given him verbal offers, and Penn State offered him a position with the baseball team, too. His family is celebrating Christmas in Boston, and then he’s heading straight up to Mt. Craymore for the senior ski trip. I’m sad he’s leaving, but it’s not like I would get to see him over break anyway, since I’m on lockdown.
Unbreakable (Accidental Crush #3) Page 16