Resist My Twin Stepbrothers

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

I hadn't told her I had practice today because I didn't have time to, but she should have known, right?

The other thing on my mind, though to a lesser degree, was my parents. Was it just me, or did the fights seem to get much worse recently? I wasn't sure, and it wasn't like I could ask, so I kept out of it, but then it had me thinking of spending a night at Anita's place. I knew I couldn't, there was no way her mom would allow it, but the thought was nice.

It was that moment of distraction that landed me where I was, on the ground with a lot of weight on top of me that was a little slow to get off.

"What are you guys doing!" Coach practically screamed at us. "Get up and start the play again! Every—body focus, or we're leaving here after dark!"

There were groans as the other guys moved, but we all knew he wouldn't do that.

"What the hell was I even doing?" I asked.

Abe was the closest guy to me, and he laughed as he patted my helmet, and I winced when it jostled my brain.

"Were you paying attention when coach lined up practice for us? If you don't start taking this seriously, he's just going to keep screaming at you, you know?"

"Keep your head in the game, or you're gonna hit the ground a lot today," Mason said with some sym—pathy before running off.

We rearranged ourselves on the field, and I tried my best to pay attention, or else I'd go home aching for the night, and it was the last thing I needed in the emo—tionally charged atmosphere at home.

No matter how much I seemed to try, though, even when I put myself out of the line of fire, I still went down, and I wondered if the other guys weren't just playing a prank on me since there was a lot of laughing going on, but Coach was right there at the edge of the field shouting at us, and coming close when he saw something he wasn't pleased with.

Like I'd thought, when the practice was almost over, my body was so sore that I wanted to stop, but I knew coach would never allow anyone to stop early just because of a few injuries. I'd feel like I was in hell to—morrow, though.

"Wow, you are a mess, huh," Abe said.

"You've never been this out of shape during practice before," Mason added. "Don't tell me it's be—cause of that girl. You aren't tired of her yet?"

I froze, then rolled my eyes before deciding to ignore them. It would just encourage them if I talked back. They'd made their thoughts on Anita and my in—volvement with her pretty clear the past few weeks, and I didn't want to keep hearing them yap on about it. I went to walk, well more like limp, away, only to have Abe grab my arm.

"No way," he muttered. "It's her? There are even more rumors about the two of you going on around school, you know? That you drop her off to and from school every day. How do you even know where she lives?"

"Wasn't there a cheerleader you liked? All you have to do is crook a finger, and she'll come running, so why are you wasting your time on a girl like that?"

I pulled my arm out of Abe's hold, giving them a glare that probably wasn't all that clear through our helmets.

"You guys better stop talking about that right now," I warned quietly. "This isn't the time or the place, and I'm not in the mood."

Mason snorted. "Look at you, getting all pissy. The rest of us are in the middle of practice; you're the one that isn't paying attention. If you don't want us say—ing anything, at least do what you're supposed to be do—ing, all right?"

"It'll be over in no time, anyway," Abe chimed in, walking away. "A cheap love like that can't last long, she's probably just a curiosity for you, and you'll forget her in no time."

I shot a glare at him, but he had his back to me. Anger like I hadn't felt in a long time hit me. Fueled by the frustration and anxiety I'd been dealing with recent—ly, I went after him. I grabbed his shoulder to turn him around, then threw myself at him, so we both went down. We were wearing our helmets, so I knew better than to try and punch him because I'd be the one hurt—ing.