The Hart Game

Chapter Five

CASSIE

Three benches surround a fire pit. I'm sitting at our spot on top of the hill with Erin, Jordan, Maddie, Dylan and Clyde. Christian has just made his little speech and Dean is in the middle of the Court with Luke. He just received his jacket. Here at Morningside, your jacket is your lifeline. It's like a biker's motorcycle, it's apart of you. Destroy someone's jacket is like spitting on their grave. Stealing someone's jacket to use for a prank, declares war. I received my jacket my freshman year, playing soccer. It was a way to blow off steam and keep in shape.

    "Punks gonna get it one way or another." I hear Clyde mutter before putting his cup to his mouth.

    "Please Clyde, you're just jealous you never made one touchdown this game." Dylan says beside Erin. He and Erin have been getting closer. Making me wonder how long it will take for them to call it official. Unlike Clyde, I like Dylan. His build is in-between Chris and Dean. Classic All-American beach boy, long wavy blonde hair that goes just above his shoulder and often in a ponytail. Ocean blue eyes that have the ladies melting in the palm of his hands. Sun kissed skin that others would kill for. It's a wonder he's not like Clyde. Which makes me like him even more. Dylan has been Christians best friend since middle school, loyal at it's finest.

    "Whatever, I can run circles around that clown." He says continuing to glare towards where Luke is talking with Dean. I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. Christian has made his way towards our spot and sits down where Maddie was sitting and pulls her down on his lap.

    "That was very nice of you Baby, I'm glad you didn't make a big scene out of it." Maddie says just before she kisses him.

    "That's because coach is right there at his truck." Dean says sitting down next to me while pointing to Coach McNeal standing on the back of his truck, arms crossed as if ready for anything that goes down here. Faculty rarely come here but since a teammate had earned his jacket, the coaches are supposed to appear and the team captain is supposed to do the honors. "He had no choice."

    Christian glares at Dean over Maddie's shoulder. Suddenly Clyde jumps in. "Chris please tell me we are gonna put him in his place?"

    "Sorry Clyde, silent treaty says that he is off limits." Christian says while looking at me with a smirk, then adds, "From us."

    What is that supposed to mean?

    "What does that mean exactly?" Jordan says as if reading my thoughts.

    "Means exactly what it sounds like." Looking at me with an even bigger smirk which sends chills down my spine.

    "Please Brother, explain what you really mean." I say my patience waring thin. He looks to everyone that is sitting with us.

    "Leave." He says is a monotone voice. Erin and Jordan look to me and leave immediately. Clyde hesitates but goes stomping off angry. Dylan though looks to Christian for a moment in a silent argument. Christian nods to him, understandingly, Dylan gets up.

    "Baby, why don't you go and dance with the girls for a bit,"

No.

"I'll just be a moment, I'll come dance with you later." Maddie looks towards me but doesn't hesitate getting up. Then Christian looks towards Dean. He's pulling ranks. Dean was always apart of the family meetings, so was Maddie. The only time he pulled ranks like this is when....

    "Move along Dean, this is Family business." Asshole. Dean tenses then looks at me. I simply nod telling him that I would be fine. His jaw clenches and his nostrils flare but he gets up and I see him go where Jordan is. I know I won't be hearing the end of this. Soon enough it was just me and Christian sitting around the fire, now knowing what is going to happen. Christian has come up with a bet.