Second Chance Rival

“I do what I can.”

I ignored the looming feeling in the pit of my stomach as I stepped out of Erica’s car. I made my way toward the concession stand, gazing around, thinking maybe I’d figure out who he was before we met. For the next thirty minutes, I waited for him, but he was nowhere to be found.

Did he stand me up?

Before I could give it too much thought, Tristian caught my stare from the corner of my eyes. He was standing by the cheerleaders who were parading all around him. It was obvious Chase wasn’t going to show up, and the longer I stood there, watching Tristian flirt with all those girls, the angrier I became.

He caged one of them in with his arms on the fence, getting close to her face. His body pressed against hers as he whispered something in her ear that made her laugh and lightly touch his chest. I couldn’t look away as he slid his hand down her body, grazing the side of her chest and landing on her hip.

I peered back and forth between them, and I couldn’t hide the hurt that was evident on my face. She giggled, throwing her head back while he rubbed his nose along her exposed skin.

Not only was I stood up, but now I was forced to watch Tristian and some chick rub all over one another.

“Screw this.”

Unable to continue watching them, I decided to walk home instead of finding Erica to drive me back. I wanted to clear my head. The two boys I liked were both playing mind games that I didn’t know the rules to. My mom never prepared me for what it’d feel like to have your heart broken.

Twice.

Why would Chase stand me up? Could it be he took one look at me and left? Maybe I wasn’t his type?

The insecurities flew through my mind, one right after the other with no end in sight. This was unfamiliar territory for me, and all it was doing was wreaking havoc in my mind.

It wasn’t until I gazed up that I realized I was suddenly lost. Through my daze, I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Grabbing my cell phone from my back pocket, I went to call the chauffeur to pick me up. It was only then I noticed my phone battery was dying.

“No! No! No!”

Beep.

It shut off.

“Crap!”

Instantly, I began retracing my steps. The dim lighting from the posts didn’t help my disposition of trying to find my way back to the stadium or home.

I jumped when the sound of thunder roared over the horizon.

“Great. Now I’m going to get rained on.”

I was starting to panic as a street bike drove in my direction.

Should I ask them for help?

I didn’t have to, they pulled up beside me. The dark tint of their helmet didn’t let me see who it was. I waved, hoping they’d take it off and stop freaking me out.

Please don’t be an ax murderer…

I shouted, “I’m lost, and my phone died!” I lifted it in the air, showing them. “Can you help me?”

Finally, they lifted their helmet, exposing who it was.

“Are you kidding me?” I yelled. “How many bikes do you have? And what is your deal with scaring me?”

Tristian grinned, nodding. “Get on.”

“Absolutely not!”

“You don’t have much of a choice. Get on, or I’ll throw you on.”