This Could Be Us

Chapter Seventeen - Paige's Threat

Paige was definitely getting on my last nerve as the end of the week drew near. She had managed to befriend everyone on the team, even Danielle was starting to like her. I didn't understand how they could warm up to her that easily, especially after she tried giving me a concussion.

Our differences were going to just have to be put aside though, because tomorrow was our first district game. The team had to work together one hundred and ten percent if we were going to make it past the first round. The team we were facing had been playing together for years, and they had a fast-paced team. We were going to have to play smart, fast, and make almost every shot we threw up. 

As captain, I needed to be a leader on and off the court, so I had every intention of putting everything Paige and I were dealing with behind me until I received another text from the same unknown number:

It's official. Zach is mine. Stay away if you know what's good for you.

"What the fuck?" I said out loud. I knew for sure it was Paige who was texting me now.

Zach has been my friend for years, and that's not going to change. Deal with it.

I grinned proudly as I hit send. Paige may be dating Zach now, but that didn't mean she was allowed to control our friendship.

I waited for a few minutes, but never received a response. Figuring Paige either got bored of trying to get under my skin or was busy plotting some new form of revenge, I shrugged it off.

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The next few days were quiet. Paige kept a cool front at practice, and at school, she was too busy fondling Zach to pay any attention to me.

Then came Thursday. Anna, Carter, Kaleb, and I were sitting down eating lunch, when Zach came over and asked to join us.

"Sure," I answered, looking around for any sign of Paige.

"Paige is out sick today," Zach informed me, clearly noticing my discomfort.

"Oh, that's unfortunate," I replied, trying to hide my relief.

"You two really don't get along, huh?" Zach sighed.

"Oh no, we're the best of friends." I answered, sarcasm clearly present in my voice.

"Yeesh, okay. Sassy today aren't we?" He laughed, wrapping his arm around me and squeezing tightly.

My eyes widened as Zach's hand lingered on my shoulder. Anna and I looked at each other from across the table and I could see the "oh shit" look on her face. Just then I felt a second hand wrap around my waist.

I turned to my side and saw that Carter was looking at Zach with irritation. I turned then to Zach to see if he realized what was going on. He wasn't paying attention, as he was happily munching on the fries on his tray. I nudged him in the side, which brought him back to reality. He quickly removed his arm from around my shoulders, looking embarrassed.

"Uh, sorry," Zach laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck with the hand that was previously gripping my shoulder.

We all sat in silence for almost ten minutes after that, Carter's arm staying wrapped around my waist. The air was thick with awkward tension, until Anna finally spoke up.

"So one more practice until the big district game! Think you and Paige can handle not beating the crap out of each other til season's over?" She laughed.

"No promises," I scoffed, wanting to say more but biting my tongue to spare Zach's feelings.

"Hopefully Paige is better by tomorrow so that she can play in the district game." Zach commented.