Clipped by Love (Bellevue Bullies 2)

“I’ll show you both a bitch,” I say, but they ignore me, and really, I’m glad they did. There was no point in clarifying that other than to make myself feel better.

“Fuck that,” he says, and when he starts to walk, Jayden presses his hand into his chest.

“You go into that shower before her or even when she is in there, not only will I kick your ass, but I will make sure Coach knows about it. He is trusting us to be respectful to her. Maybe you weren’t raised that way, but I was, and since you are on my team, we are going to do things my way,” he says, and then Jace and Markus flank him, all of them staring McCarthy down.

You could cut the tension with a blade.

It’s so thick I’m choking on it, but finally, McCarthy is shaking his head as he backs up. He then turns, heading back to his locker. Looking over at me, he says, “Hurry the fuck up.”

Now, I know I should be grateful, even be glad that Jayden stood up for me.

Maybe even swoon a bit, but I’m not a normal girl.

So, of course, that means that I’m fucking pissed.

Standing up, I glare over at McCarthy and say, “No, please, be my guest. I’m not ready to shower yet.”

McCarthy eyes me before looking back over at Jayden. Jayden then asks, “Are you sure?”

I nod. “Yup.”

“Fine,” he says, waving me off. “Hurry up, boys.”

It’s like a damn cattle drive. Everyone rushes toward the shower and I’m standing there, not only pissed the hell off but also a little intimidated. How am I supposed to take over a team that already feels that Jayden is the captain? The whole day, they’ve basically been at his beck and call. They respect him, and I know they’ll vote him right away. But I know my dad doesn’t do votes, he picks. Which means, if he picks me, I won’t get any respect here.

Holding Jayden in a hostile gaze, I ask, “Can I talk to you?”

Jayden meets my gaze and raises his eyebrow. “Me?”

“Yeah, you,” I say and then I storm out of the locker room. I don’t hear him behind me until I reach the side doors that lead outside. When I go out, I turn, crossing my arms over my chest. I’m only wearing my socks, girdle, and tank, and thankfully, he’s put shorts on.

Thank the heavens.

But damn, he is gorgeous.

Matching my stance, he doesn’t say anything which throws me off a bit, but then I r

emember that I’m pissed and it’s all his fault.

“How dare you treat me like a fucking girl in there? I can take care of my own fucking self! I don’t need your help.”

“Never said you did,” he says calmly, like I’m not a raging bitch. “I just refuse to allow them to disrespect you.”

“Let them! It’s their funeral if my dad finds out. I can handle them on my own.”

Rolling his eyes, he looks at me blankly as he says, “I know that, but did it ever occur to you that I don’t want it to get to that? If I can nip it in the bud and put them on the right track so we can win and not worry about outdoing the girl, doesn’t that make me a better captain? Doesn’t that show that I can lead? I think it does.”

“So it’s not about defending me,” I say, and I don’t know why that bothers me. “It’s about pushing your candidacy for captain?”

“Not at all. That’s in the bag, sweetheart. I respect you, and I expect my team to do the same.”

Oh, he’s poking the bear something insane. “I’m not your fucking sweetheart, one! Two, it ain’t your damn team!”

With a smug grin, he shrugs. “So you say.”

I’m blistering with anger. I want to smack his damn smug face and then kick him in the shin. Basically growling, I ask, “Why don’t you just stop with this façade? You aren’t all high and mighty as you put off!”

“Never said I was. I’m only stating the truth. You’re the one flying off the damn handle because I’m trying to be a good guy.”