Crash Course

Chapter 18

I turned my back to the field, thankful to start cheering to the audience. There he was. In the flesh. My first love. Everything was a blur as the game began. "Are you alright?" Gemma asked. "You look pale." She said, handing me her poms and doing her first tumbling pass. When she returned to me I put on my best fake smile.

"I'm not feeling great. Probably shouldn't have eaten at the tailgate." Gemma nodded and we knelt down in line with the other girls to watch the game. Luke and Drew stood like two powerful forces opposing Matt. I couldn't make it out, but it looked like Andrew and Matt we're speaking to each other. Luke looked at me and waved a little, this tore Matt's attention away from Andrew and back to me. This was going to be an intense game.

***

We won, but by the literal skin of our teeth. Drew scored the final goal with seconds left on the clock. I couldn't help but be excited. The worst thing would be to see Matt and lose to him. As if our own little tradition, Luke rushed off the field and swooped me up in his arms. I just couldn't enjoy the moment, because I knew Matt was watching. "I'm so proud of you!" I said genuinely. He leaned down and kissed me, obviously ecstatic.

"Couldn't have done it without you baby!" He ran his fingers through my ponytail and rushed off to the huddle. I stared across the field, locking eyes first with Matt, and then with Amanda, my old cheer buddy. I toss my poms to Gemma and ran across the field. Amanda welcomed me with open arms.

"I had assumed you died." She said, sounding like she was crying. "But I knew the cheerleader as soon as I saw that ridiculous tumbling pass." She laughed. I stepped back from her.

"I missed you." I said, examining her. She was still the same. Cute, round face with sparkling eyes.

"We miss you." She said, gesturing to the squad. "You could've at least told us you were transferring."

"It was so late minute." I said. Amanda took a slight step back, smirking.

"There's someone a little more important than me that you need to talk to." She said, head nodding over my shoulder. I knew it was Matt. I'm sure he had been playing the heartbroken boyfriend card so well. I turned around, the way he looked at me could make me melt.

"Hey Bella." Oh god, his voice. "Can we talk?" He held his hand out to me, and I gently took it, allowing him to lead me around the bleachers and potentially to my death. He looked the same, a little older, maybe wiser. His hazel eyes still stole my soul, and even after a full sweaty game his light brown hair looked untouched. He towered over me, he was at least 6'2" and the hard work of a mob boss's slave had just made him more built. He leaned back against the wall, studying me with his dumb grin. "I missed ya Bella." He said.

"I missed you." I replied. Where were my words coming from. "I've always missed you." I could see Matt trying to maintain his wall, but I knew him. I was his weakness. He may be a mob servant but everything that he was happened because he loved me.

"How are you liking Dayton?" He asked, composing himself.

"It's great. I really like it. It would be such a shame if I had to leave." I was starting to get mad.

"You moved on pretty quick." He said, referring to Luke. I rolled my eyes. "I'm still paying for loving you." I was a little struck by his wording. Was he suggesting that he wasn't a willing participant?

"I never got over you. You haunt me." I said honestly. I sighed. "You'll probably always haunt me." Before I could think Matt stood with his body pressed against mine. All the air in my lungs was long gone. His caressed my face.

"All I ever wanted was you. For you to be safe, happy, you deserve all of that. That's why I did it. No one loved me like you did." I couldn't focus, he was saying everything I needed to hear. "I won't stand here and tell you good news, because I don't have any. Dylan is pissed, and I have strict instructions."

"Matt, I-"

"No let me talk. Just listen, God only knows how hard that is for you." He chuckled. "Meet me, tonight, at 11 in the town square. Please, for both our sakes, don't be a problem."

"Why should I? You've been actively trying to make my life hell. If you loved me so much wouldn't you be trying to leave Dylan? Help me? Be with me?" I could feel the tears but I choked them back. I had to be strong.

"Just come tonight. Let me explain." Matt stepped away from me and I was enveloped in coldness. "For old times sake." I shook my head lightly.

"I can't Matt. I don't trust you anymore. And every time I think of you I just think about how I ruined your life. I can help you. I can get you out of this mess but not when I think you are reporting to Dylan, or when you send your spies to observe me. Or when you try to recruit guys I've talked to!" I shook from frustration. "Matt I know that Dylan has a hold over you. But at this point it has to be more than me he is holding over your head." I kept going, unable to stop the flow of words. "You are a good guy, a great guy, you and your dad will be okay. You can turn on him. I did it! I may not be living the perfect life out here in seclusion but anything is better than owing Dylan." Matt smiled at me like I had no idea what I was talking about.

"Bella, the truth of the matter is that at some point, everyone will face trial for their sins. I'm doing my best to help you. Without me and Ethan, Dylan would have way worse people checking in on you." I heard Luke shouting my name. "Please, meet me tonight." Matt said.

"Bells! Come on! Everyone is heading out!" Luke shouted, his voice gradually getting closer.

"Tonight Bella. Just promise me one last night. You owe me that at least." Matt's eyes bore into mine.

"Fine. But I'm telling Andrew where I go. And if something happens to me he'll report it." I said.

"I would never hurt you Bella. You know that."

"Hey Bella, I've been looking everywhere for you." Luke said, rounding the corner and analyzing the situation in front of him.

"Hey Luke, this is-" I started, but Matt cut me off.

"I'm Matt, friend of Drew and Bella's. Good game tonight bro." Matt said. Luke nodded, holding his hand out to me.

"You too man, you guys almost had us." I let Luke pull me into his arms, and watched the fury in Matt's eyes for a moment, so fast only I could've caught it.

"It was good talking to you again Bella." With that Matt was gone and Luke and I began the trek back to the locker rooms.