Ace of Hearts (FU High 1)
16
Owen
The minute Ace’s taillights clear the parking lot, I hunt for Billy. The minute I get my hands on that asshole, I’m turning his face into hamburger meat. I weave through the cars, looking for that floppy-haired pencil dick, but can’t spot him. It’s dark and I don’t know what kind of car he drives. I never cared to know. Halfway through the parking lot, I spot a car I do know. It’s Carter’s silver Benz with the gull wing doors. That machine is sick, seats only two people, and is never occupied by anyone other than Carter. Andi Thompson, an actual model for a magazine or some such thing, once asked for a ride home from school and Carter told her that she wasn’t good enough to sit in his car.
I arrive at the vehicle just in time to see Carter slide into the driver’s seat. “Carter,” I shout.
He stops in mid-motion—one hand still on the car door and one foot outside on the ground.
“What do you want, Fast?” He sounds irritated, as if I’m keeping him from some appointment.
I don’t give a shit. Billy needs to be taught a lesson stat.
“Where’s Billy Crenshaw?”
“No clue.” Carter starts to close the door, but I grab it and force it up. “Do you mind?” he says tersely.
“Yeah.” I don’t have time for Carter’s attitude. Not today. “Tell me where Billy is and you can go.”
My quarterback narrows his eyes at me. “Why do you want to know?”
“Because he tried to lay hands on my girl.”
Carter makes a face and climbs out of the car, pushing me out of the way and then pulling down on the door to close it. “Come on. I’ll help you find him. He’s probably trying to con one of the cheerleaders into going home with him.”
“Great. Tell me where he is.” I don’t need Carter’s help.
“Sorry. You’re worked up and primed to do some major damage so I better come along to clean up after your mess. You scored four touchdowns tonight so I can’t have you getting suspended.” He heads in the direction of the fieldhouse where track and other sports I don’t care about practice, but he’s moving too slow. I push him aside and race forward. Once I get to the front doors, I grab the first person I see. “Yo, where is the cheerleaders’ locker room?”
The girl jerks a thumb over her shoulder. “Inside, but almost everyone is gone. Who are you looking for?” A smile curves her lips. “Because if you don’t find her, I can take you home tonight.”
“Go on, Claire,” orders a voice behind me. “He’s taken.”
I hurry inside, but catch the tail end of her response, which sounds a little like, “Doesn’t hurt to try.”
Another guy probably would’ve taken her up on it, but the only girl I want is Ace. I can’t believe Billy tried something with her. What in the actual fuck? Halfway down the hall, I see a sign that says GIRLS CHEER SQUAD. The door bangs open as I slam my fist against it. There’s a high-pitched scream and then a lower-toned growl from around the corner. I already have my fist cocked when I see the dark shoulders of Grant Tones, one of the defensive backs, hunched forward as he braces himself against a locker.
“Get out,” he snaps, his hand on the head of the girl kneeling in front of him.
“Where’s Billy Crenshaw?”
“Don’t know. Don’t care.”
“How about her? She know?”
“She’s busy,” he replies tersely.
Carter appears at my arm. “Come on. Leave the two lovebirds alone. Billy’s in the parking lot. I got a text.” He shows me his phone screen which shows a grainy photo of Billy leaning against a white sports car.
“Sorry, man,” I yell over my shoulder as I start sprinting out of the room. Carter grabs me before I can reach the door. “What do you want?” I demand angrily.
“We gotta talk.”
“Do it fucking outside,” Grant roars.
Carter opens the door and hustles me out. With barely leashed impatience, I ask, “Is this about team cohesiveness?” The quarterback is always preaching team first, everything else second, which might be his motto but it ain’t fucking mine.
“Yeah, it is. Look, go ahead and put Billy in the hospital. I don’t give a shit, but you don’t do it in public and no one else knows about it.”
I shake my head. “No way. He owes my girl an apology. He laid hands on her and opened his trash mouth in front of her. I don’t stand for that.”
“Billy’s a piece of shit, for sure, which is why I’m saying punish that trash can. All I’m asking is for you to keep it quiet. If you make a big fuss, you could get suspended and your chances of your D1 scholarship are gone.” He snaps his fingers. “And so is our season. Think about it.”