“You are quarterbacks! You do not tackle!” Coach Hauser yelled with fury making his voice harsh. After several minutes, the other teenagers gave up and let them wrestle in the dirt, no longer pretending to play. Growling, Coach Hauser looked at me, and I gulped, hunching my shoulders while I dropped my gaze. When he stared, I glanced up, and he crooked his finger. Uh oh.
Sighing, I grabbed my backpack and descended the bleachers while hanging my head. With a gentle smile, Coach put a hand on my shoulder to steer me towards the wrestling boys. I swallowed hard when they got each other with vicious blows. But what I found odd was as soon as I got within a few feet, their punches slowed and appeared to have less strength behind them. Until Kyler stopped with his fist inches from Riff’s nose. His arm shook for a moment before it dropped, and he growled while turning his furious gaze upon me.
“You take one step towards Angel, boy, and I will deliver you to Marcus with a shiny bow around your neck,” Coach Hauser warned with an angry expression. I glanced at him in confusion, but he only smiled and shook his head. “Someday, Angel, but not today.” Sighing, I nodded my acceptance and kept myself from attempting to put any of these puzzle pieces together. I could make an excellent guess, but I refused to try it.
“I understand, and I agree that I’m not ready. I shouldn’t learn any secrets until I know I can stay,” I whispered. Kyler had looked away, but he snapped his head back to stare at me with something unreadable in his eyes.
“What? Got to move on to find a new sugar daddy?” He sneered, and I shook my head, lowering my gaze to hide the tears burning my eyes. Why did his words cut so deep?
“No,” I answered once I had myself under control, raising my gaze to stare him down. “The reason I leave is none of your business, hotshot.” With that, I turned on my heel and stalked towards the school. The less I interacted with Kyler, the better.
I waited for Riff outside the locker rooms, and he smiled with relief when he saw me, throwing his arm over my shoulders. “Want to know a secret?” He teased, and I grinned while glancing at him. “We have the same last class.”
“Really?” I asked. I bounced on the balls of my feet a little when he nodded with a broad smile, giggling, and he quirked his brow. “What? I enjoy having classes with you. You feel safe,” I admitted while staring at the ground. Chuckling, Riff cocked his head to the side before placing a tender kiss on my forehead.
“Don’t forget that while you finished your other homework, you still have me,” he breathed, and my cheeks burned. Shaking my head after a moment, I rose on my toes to kiss his cheek, and he stumbled a step. Smiling, I walked ahead of him, giggling when he started after me. I scurried until I noticed Riff’s long legs were closing the distance between us, then I ran through the halls while laughing.
Panting, I made it into our last class while laughing breathlessly and ducked behind the door. My smile died when I discovered Kyler sprawled at a desk in the back. His eyes narrowed, and he growled when Riff slid to a stop a few feet from me. Riff sneered in return, turning his head to look at me and grinning with a laugh. “You can run all you want, but you still have to do me,” Riff announced smugly.
Rolling my eyes, I scoffed only to jump with my heart pounding in my chest when a loud thump came from Kyler’s direction. I blinked when I saw Kyler’s fist on the table and furrowed my brow. What did he care? “Uh-huh,” I replied with a snooty tone, “figures I would get assigned the worst homework since I’m the latecomer to show choir.”
“The worst?” Riff echoed with a playful glint in his eye.
“Oh yes,” I decreed, sticking my nose in the air haughtily while struggling not to laugh. Our playful banter lightened my heart and warmed my soul.
“Hah! You’re a pity case,” Riff taunted, and I snorted.
“It’s not nice to talk about yourself like that, Riffraff,” I scolded in a teasing tone, and laughter filled his eyes. I believe he noticed what I did there.
“You’re one to talk, street rat,” Riff mocked with silent laughter shaking his body. Laughing, I tilted my head to the side and met his gaze with a pleased smile. I love that he played along.
“I don’t buy that, in fact, I don’t shop at your market,” I replied casually with a grin. If we can do this now, what will happen after we spend more time together?
“If only you would look closer at the wares, you might find something you like,” he mused with a broad smile. Shaking his head, Riff’s eyes twinkled while he watched me, and I chuckled.
“Oh? I’m pretty sure I would see a poor boy peddling junk,” I disagreed with a snort. I loved our little play battle. I don’t recall ever having this much fun at school.
“No siree,” Riff scoffed, “you would see a wonderland waiting to be discovered.” He set the toe of his right boot beside the outside of his left heel and crossed his arms. It was an intriguing balance act that my fingers itched to sketch.
“I’d find out many secrets?” I asked dubiously. Rising on my toes, I locked my fingers together behind my
