Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Heidi opens and closes her mouth, looking every bit a fish out of water. Finally, she regains her composure, turning her glare to me. “Stay low, on the bottom of the food chain here, and I’ll leave you be, skanky bitch.”
“Awfully threatened by a skanky bitch,” I say, arching a brow. “It’s almost like you’re terrified I’ll take the boy you like and your position on the squad.”
Her hazel eyes narrow. “You wouldn’t dare try out. Not after how you were such a disgrace last year. The girls on the squad hate you.”
“Coach Jenner loves me, though,” I tell her with a vicious grin. “See you at practice, friend.”
“Bye, Heidi Ho,” Penny says, waving at her. “We’re done here.”
Coach Jenner studies me for a beat before sighing. “You had me worried, kiddo.”
I chew on my bottom lip, keeping all those sad emotions at bay. Now’s not the time. I swallow them down and then smile. “I had me worried, but I’m better, Coach. I know I don’t deserve to try out, but I want to.”
“Is this about Heidi?” she asks, frowning. “She stopped by after lunch and said you were bullying her.”
I raise both brows. “Do you honestly believe that?”
“No,” Coach admits. “Which is why I told her if you wanted to try out, you could. I just don’t want you doing this for the wrong reasons.”
“I mean,” I mutter, “it would feel good to see her squirm, especially after how rude she’s been to me, but that’s not it. After ruining last year, I just want to right all my wrongs. I loved being on the squad. It’s good exercise and looks good for college.”
“There’s my girl,” Coach says with a smile. “If that’s what you want, grab a change of clothes from the extras and let’s head out to the gym. Cheerleading takes continuous practice. You’ve been out of practice for a year. I’m not promising a spot, just an opportunity to try.”
I’m thankful the rehab facility not only had an awesome gym, but personal trainers as well. All of my muscle tone I may have lost during my time with Ryan was regained after a couple of months of hard work and focusing on my health again.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I agree. “My dad always taught us to work hard for what we want. I want this.”
Ten minutes later, I’m changed into a tiny pair of black shorts and orange sports bra. I’ve pulled my hair into a black ponytail holder and threw back on my tennis shoes without socks. Not exactly the best outfit to try out in, but it’s all I have. We head into the gym and I spend the next twenty minutes warming up and stretching.
I mull over some of the cheers I came up with when I was on the squad, planning what I will show her. Once I scoop up some poms, I affix a grin on my face and lift my chin.
“Ready?” I call out in a loud, peppy tone, “Okay!”
The next several minutes, I run through three back to back cheers. I’m sweating and my muscles are aching, but it feels good. Like this phoenix is stretching her wings, ready to take flight.
“Excellent form,” Coach praises. “Still a big mouth, I see.”
I blush thinking about just how big my mouth is to be able to give Cal head. Gah. Not the time to be thinking about that man’s pierced dick.
“How about you show me if you can still tumble? Don’t break your neck, English.”
Laughing, I bounce, making sure to let my ponytail dance from side to side with each choreographed sway of my hips. Then, I pivot and face her, my arms in the air. Thanks to years of gymnastics in Vermont, I’m fairly bendy and athletic.
I don’t try for anything super difficult since I’m out of practice, just what feels like muscle memory. By the time I’ve flipped and twisted all over the gym, I end my sequence by falling into the splits. I can’t help but wince, because yeah, it’s been a long time since I did that.
“There’s my girl,” Coach says, a wide grin on her face. “Just what the squad is missing. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but now I know. It’s you. Great job, kiddo. See you at practice.”
She leaves and I stand. I make my way over to where I’d set down my bottle of water. Someone slowly claps. I swivel around expecting to see Cal. Instead, Mr. Ewing grins down at me from the top of the bleachers. I didn’t even notice he’d arrived.
Now that we’re alone and he’s coming down the steps, a wave of unease washes over me. Yesterday the way he spoke to me was strange. To be honest, it creeped me out. I was glad Cal came to my rescue, even if he was a little harsh in his delivery.