Scartissue by T.L Hodel

Chapter 7

Shelby

My feet pounded off the red turf sending beads of sweat trickling down my chest. I loved it. The fire burning through my calves and the rush of adrenaline as I approached the finish line. I listened to the football coach yell at his team while sucking in the sweet scent of fresh cut grass. There was only one goal out here, finish first. It was simple, honest, and incredibly freeing.

“That’s it, Shell,” my dad cheered from beside my coach. His hand was on her shoulder. “Keep those feet moving! You’re my star!”

It used to be freeing.

Practice was bad enough when my dad came, and now he was touching her. Like what they did didn’t matter. Mom told me to be nice. That she was happy he found someone. Would she still be happy if she knew when he found her? Instead of dwelling on it, I used my anger to force my legs to move faster. If I could burn my anger away, I might be able to look my dad in the eyes again. Except when I crossed the finish line, there was no sense of relief. Just the nausea knotting my gut and threatening to send the contents of my stomach up my throat, when I heard her commend my time.

I hunched over to catch my breath and dumped a cup of water over my head. Even the cool drops sluicing down my back couldn’t stem the rage boiling through me. He was going to come over here. He always did. I was Daddy’s star. The child that’d get him out of this small town and make him somebody. Except he was somebody.

He was my somebody.

I didn’t know what to say to him anymore. How could I pretend that everything was okay when all I wanted to do was throw up every time he smiled at my coach? His eyes lit up the same way they used to for Mom. How could she not know something was wrong? Why didn’t I? All the extra training and attention. It wasn’t because Coach thought I had talent. She was after something else. Vicky, that’s what she told me to call her. As if she didn’t tear my family apart.

“You’re the top runner this year,” Marnie tapped her pen off a pad of paper. “Tell me, what’s your secret?”

I sighed. “I love you Marnie, but do you ever turn it off?”

“Well, I could ask you about this morning… I’m sure that’d be a much bigger story.”

I muttered under my breath. Friggin Logan! It took two hours for the school to get someone down here to turn off that stupid alarm. And I was the one that got in trouble for it.

“I’m surprised Collin didn’t sick you on me.” Logan caused enough of a spectacle yesterday, I sure as hell didn’t want this crap in the school paper. Enough people were talking about me.

“He tried.” Marnie shrugged. “I turned it down.”

And that’s why I loved her. Marnie was loyal. She’d never turn her back on a friend. Neither would Rye. Though her approach would’ve been a little more violent. If she was here right now, no one would be bugging me. Trina, on the other hand… The queen of gossip already had her feelers out.

“Which is why I ended up on sports. So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get my story.”

I stood up and rolled my neck. “Since when does anyone care about track?”

“The people want what they want.”

That caused my brows to rise. This was a football town. The only other sport that got attention was swimming, and that was only because Micha Kessler was captain of Ashworth’s swim team.

“The people want hot, hunky football players, and half naked cheerleaders. Not sweaty track runners.”

“True.” Marnie nodded and tipped her head towards a flock of girls gathered on the bleachers. “Their sudden interest might have something to do with that.”

I groaned, already knowing who I was going to see.

Except this time Logan wasn’t alone. Sitting on the bench beside him with his arms crossed was Micha, and beside him, Parker. Naturally they were surrounded by a bunch of girls vying for their attention. Rather desperately, if you asked me. Which seemed to annoy Micha. I heard him tell one of them to fuck off. He wasn’t quiet about it either. Not that I expected Micha to ever be quiet about anything. Something Riley and he had in common. God help the person that got in their way.

Parker was too focused on the football team practicing to care about their fans. I knew he was a good running back–our football coach made strategies just for him–but seeing the way his crystal eyes followed their movements made me think he didn’t just play. He really enjoyed the game.

Three of the girls were chatting up Logan, who was playing right into their hands. Giving them that stupid charming smile. They didn’t even seem to care that he wasn’t looking at them. His green eyes glittered as he smirked and leaned back to rest his elbows on the bench behind him.

My gaze narrowed.

He’s up to something.

“Maybe you should give him what he wants?” Marnie said. “They’re not normal, Shell.”

“Last I checked, asshole was a pretty normal personality trait.”

Her eyes slid my way. “You can’t tell me you don’t have questions.”

I cocked my head and thought back to Riley lying in that hospital bed. Yeah, I had questions. Questions I tried taking to Chase. All he said was, ‘Leave it alone, little girl’. That was the really bothersome part. Chase Mathers was the least evasive person I knew. Especially when it came to Riley. I once saw him threaten an eight-year-old kid because he made her cry.

Now that I thought about it, not once had Chase stepped in when Micha was tormenting Riley. And he tormented her a lot. Why would he threaten a kid that pushed her on the playground, but not the one that made her life a living hell?

I was about to ask Marnie what she thought, when someone cut me off.

“Miss Grace.” A tall man with dark hair walked over and held his hand out. “A thousand meters in under three minutes, that’s quite the time.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, while eyeing his navy shirt. He looked familiar. Was he one of the football parents? Wouldn’t be the first time one of them came up to me. Though usually they were looking for the bathroom or something. Not commenting on my running skills. “Um, who are you?”

“Where are my manners. I’m Gregory Bantam.” He explained. “I coach the track and swim teams at Ashworth Academy.”

That’s why I knew him. I’d seen him on the field when we had meets with Ashworth. What the hell was he doing here?

My dad and coach sauntered up.

“Oh good,” my dad said, slapping his hand on Gregory’s shoulder, “I see you’ve met my little peanut.”

Little peanut? He hadn’t called me that since I was Mags’ age.

“She’s our star runner,” my coach added in.

I glared at my dad’s arm draped over her. The night I caught them, he said he only married mom because she was pregnant. Like it was my fault he wasn’t happy. That’s how I ended up at the Bluffs, prepared to race. Logan might’ve been slightly right about that night. I took a few risks I shouldn’t have. The Bluffs weren’t a safe place to act recklessly. One wrong move and your car would go careening over the cliff. Honestly, I was surprised I didn’t end up in the hospital. Or worse.

“She’s quite the star, isn’t she?” my dad stated proudly.

I don’t like that smile on his face.

“I think she could be.” Gregory said looking at me. “With the right coach.”

Oh no.

“I’ll get right to the point, Shelby.”

Don’t say it.

“I’d like to offer you a spot on the team at Ashworth. With a full scholarship, of course.”

Damnit!

“Isn’t that great, Peanut?”

My dad sounded so happy, and why wouldn’t he be? This was exactly what he wanted. One of his daughters to help him make a name for himself. If nothing else, Ashworth would give him the opportunity to rub shoulders with the elite and wealthy. God forbid he find out the great Logan Hudson was interested in me. He’d have me fitted for a wedding dress before graduation.

“Yeah Dad, that’s great,” I grumbled, turning my glare to Logan.

He had something to do with this.

Did he really think this crap would work? That having me at Ashworth would change anything? The corner of my mouth curled as I cocked my hip. We’ll just see about that. I could always reject the offer.

What would you think about that, Logan?

The glint in his eyes lit up at my silent challenge, and I sighed. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t turn it down. My dad would never let me.

Logan may have thought he won, but I’d never give in to him. Despite how good he looked. And holy crap, did he look good. The boy had style, I’d give him that. I tilted my head and took in his dark jeans and white shirt. Which, of course, had a couple buttons undone.

His lips twisted in a wicked smirk as he kicked his feet up, crossing them at the ankles. I could practically hear him tempting me to take a closer look.

Pfft, dick.

“I have some paperwork for you to fill out…”

I continued to glare my hatred at Logan as my dad and my new coach walked off to discuss my future–because why should I be involved in that conversation? Logan popped his bottom lip out and returned my glare with a mocking frown.

I suddenly understood my best friend’s violent streak. All I wanted to do was slap that smug expression off his face.

“Wow Shell, drool much?”

My mouth dropped at Marnie’s comment.

“I am not… I just…” I threw my hands up in the air and muttered, “This is all his fault.”

Marnie’s brow rose. “Getting recruited to one of the best schools in the state is his fault?”

“Yes!” I shrieked, watching a blond lock of hair flop over his forehead. Was I the only one who hated this guy?

He smirked and my stomach flipped.

Okay, maybe I didn’t hate him. I was sure as hell gonna try, though.

Stupid sexy smoulder. I mean, who did he think he was? The friggin king of England? People can just smile, you know? They don’t always have to be so damn charming.

And then, just like that, it was all gone. Logan’s suave playfulness washed away, replaced with a glare so cold the temperature around me dropped, making me shiver.

“Looks like you have a fan club,” Noah chuckled in my ear, causing me to jump a little.

I was so focused on Logan, I hadn’t heard him come up behind me.

“Hi,” I said, looking back at him with a smile.

He returned my smile and nodded at the bleachers. “I don’t think your friend likes me.”

Huh?

It was then that I noticed Logan’s murderous glare wasn’t aimed at me.

Seems the ball’s in my court now, buddy.

A slow smile spread across my face as I turned to Noah. “I wouldn’t worry about him.”

“Yeah?” he said, wrapping his arm around my waist. “The other girls seem to like him.”

“Not my type.”

“What’s your type? Sweaty football players, I hope.”

Though Noah did look good in his uniform, with his brown hair stuck to his head, I didn’t feel anything. No flutter of nerves, or tingling when his hand brushed down my back. All I could think about was what he did with Chelsea on their date.

Even Logan turned her down.

I decided to avoid the subject altogether. “Shouldn’t you be practicing?”

“Probably,” he nodded while gazing warmly down at me. “But I saw you over here and had to come say hi.”

Aw!

My heart melted a bit.

“Torres!” The football coach yelled, “Stop fraternizing and get your ass back here!”

“Gotta go.” He kissed my cheek and ran back to practice, saying, “See you Saturday, Sweetness.”

I’d contemplated canceling our date. Did I really want Chelsea’s leftovers? But as I watched Noah leave, I thought maybe it wasn’t so bad he’d gone out with her. He was honest about it, and was very understanding about this whole Logan situation.

Shouldn’t I do the same for him?

There was still some part of me that didn’t want to upset Logan. As stupid as that was. Hell, I was looking forward to seeing the scowl on his face right now. He deserved it, and it’d be nice to finally get one up on him.

Except when I turned around, my heart stopped dead in my chest. The expression on Logan’s face was far past a scowl. He looked downright feral. I stood there paralyzed, chest heaving, while Micha and Parker fought to physically hold him back. The strain on their faces was evident as they yelled at him to calm down.

I don’t know what was scarier, the fact that Micha–who was usually calm and collected–was anything but, or that both of them combined were barely containing him?

And then Logan’s eyes locked with mine. His anger radiated through me from across the field, wrapping around me in icy tendrils. That’s when I knew I was screwed.

Because the face I was staring at wasn’t the charming guy girls swooned over. This man wanted to hurt me.