Chapter 5

LENNY'S POV

The Saturday sun was hot. The stadium was filled with blue and gold jerseys, while the smell of popcorn hung in the air.

"You look amazing!" Jenna shouted. She tugged at the collar of the jersey I was wearing.

It was Jace’s jersey. It was huge on me. It reached my thighs and it smelled like him. Having his name, CALLAHAN, in big letters on my back made me feel like his property.

"I feel like a billboard," I muttered as I tried to pull the hem down further.

"A billboard for the hottest guy on earth," Annette said. She stood a few feet away, arms crossed.

Her smile seemed tight, almost like it was painted on.

"Must be nice. Most of us have to actually work to get noticed. You just break a window and get the quarterback." She stared and I scoffed.

I think I actually regret telling her the whole story. It made Jenna understand me and side with me, but Annette? She still acted like I was privileged and I needed to shut my mouth.

“You know this isn't what I wanted, Annette. I’m scared." I replied flatly, shaking my head.

"Right," she said, popping a piece of gum. "Poor Lenny. Forced to date a millionaire athlete, my heart breaks for you. Really."

"Hey, look!" Jenna pointed toward the field changing the topic.

"There’s Marcus! God, he looks so good in those pads!” She exclaimed and I chuckled. Jenna has always been blunt about her crush on Marcus.

He was on the sidelines, putting on his helmet. He looked up into the stands, searching for something. When his eyes landed on me and the jersey I was wearing, he froze.

His face turned hard. He looked like he wanted to run up the bleachers and rip the shirt off my back.

"He’s going to kill me," I whispered, feeling my stomach turn.

"He’s just protective," Jenna said, waving at Marcus, but he didn’t wave back.

He looked away, slamming his helmet onto his head. "He’s so intense and It’s so hot." Jenna giggled and I sighed.

"He’s not being intense, Jenna. He’s being mean," I replied and she tapped my shoulders gently.

The whistle blew. The game started.

It was loud. Every time Jace touched the ball, the crowd roared. He moved like a flash. He was fast, strong, and played like a team player. On the field, he wasn't a bully, he was a hero.

Marcus was on the field too, but he barely got the ball. Every time he tried to make a play, Jace passed it to someone else. It felt like Jace was making sure Marcus stayed invisible.

"Why isn't Jace passing to Marcus?" Jenna asked, looking worried. "Marcus was wide open! He could have scored!"

"Because Jace is a jerk," I said, with my jaw clenched. I felt so bad for being with someone that was treating my brother this bad.

"No," Annette said, watching Jace with the look of admiration in her eyes.

“Because Jace is the leader. He knows who can handle the ball. Maybe he just doesn't trust your brother."

In the second quarter, Jace dropped back to pass. He looked around and spotted me in the front row. For a split second, he paused and winked at me. Then he threw the ball perfectly into the end zone.

Touchdown.

The stadium went crazy. People jumped and screamed my name.

"Stand up, Lenny!" Annette shouted, pulling my arm. "Cheer for him! He did that for you!"

I stayed in my seat. I could see Marcus on the other side of the field. He kicked the grass and shook his head.

"Lenny, everyone is looking," Annette hissed, leaning into me. "Rule number one: publicly adore him. If you don't stand up, he’ll be mad."

I felt sick. I glanced at the giant screen above the field. The camera zoomed in on my face.

"And look at that!" the announcer called. "The star QB’s new girl is here. Let’s hear it for Lenny!"

I had no choice. I stood up, forced a smile, and raised my hands to cheer. Noticing my sad expression, Jenna shoulder hugged me and to be honest, I love the support she has given me ever since I opened up fully.

It felt good to know that at least someone understood me.

Jace ran toward the sidelines and pointed a finger at me, making the crowd cheer louder.

But then I saw Marcus near the bench. He stared at me, looking like I had just slapped him. He turned his back and sat down, hiding his face.

I sat back down, my heart feeling heavy.

"That was perfect," Annette said, filming me on her phone. "Everyone is talking about you two."

"I hate this," I whispered and Jenna gave a sad smile.

“Me too.”

After the game, the field was packed with people. Jace had won and reporters were vying for his attention, while fans begged for his autograph.

I tried to sneak away, but Jenna and Annette wouldn't let me.

"We have to go to the locker room. Marcus will be coming out. I want to tell him he looked great." Jenna smiled widely and I raised a brow.

"He didn't even play that much, Jenna," I replied.

"I don't care! He’s still a star to me. And that’s how you should treat him too. It would boost his ego.” She explained and I bit my lips.

I doubt that Marcus wanted to see me, but yeah, I would still love to try.

We reached the back exit and I saw Marcus walking out. He had his gear bag over his shoulder, moving quickly and looking at the ground.

"Marcus!" I called out.

He stopped and turned around. His eyes were filled with tears and anger. I pressed my lips together. Marcus hardly cried. He only cried when he was hurt. It felt so bad to see him in so much pain— a pain that I caused.

"Get away from me, Lenny," he said, his voice low and shaky.

"Marcus, please. Just let me talk to you for a second."

"Talk about what? How much you like being his trophy?" He pointed at Jace’s name on my jersey.

"You’re embarrassing me, you’re embarrassing our

family!” He roared and I swallowed hard.

"It’s not what you think!"

"Then what is it? Tell me! Why are you with the guy who tries to ruin my life every day?"

I opened my mouth, wanting to explain. He’s blackmailing me, Marcus! He has a photo of me! But if I told him, he would go and confront Jace! I knew Marcus! Then Jace would send the photo. I could lose my scholarship and go to jail.

"I... I can't tell you," I whispered.

"Because there’s nothing to tell," Marcus said, laughing, but it was filled with so much pain.

"You just want to be famous. You want the golden boy. I hope it’s worth it, Lenny. Because I don't have a sister anymore." He finished off then he turned and walked away into the dark.

"Marcus, wait!" Jenna ran after him. I hope he hears her out.

Annette stepped closer, studying my face. "Wow. He’s really mad."

"He hates me," I said, a tear rolling down my cheek.

"Well, you have Jace now. Jace is way more important than Marcus, you should be happy." Annette said with her smile feeling cold and my mouth hung open in disbelief, but before I could retort she walked away.

I stood there alone and the air felt cold. I felt as if I was breaking into a million pieces. I was so confused and more people were drifting away from me because of this foolish setup

"Rough day, babe?" I heard from behind me and I recognized that voice.

Jace stood behind me, freshly showered and changed. He looked perfect, not like someone who had just played a grueling game.

"You did that on purpose," I said, turning to face him.

"Did what?" Jace asked, stepping closer.

"You didn't pass to my brother, you made him look bad in front of everyone. Why?" I questioned, glaring at him, but he just shrugged it off.

“He’s not a good player, Lenny. I pass to people who win games."

"That’s a lie! You did it to hurt me! You wanted me to see him suffer!" I shot at him and he chuckled.

Jace reached out, grabbing my waist and pulling me against him. I tried to push him away, but he felt like a wall.

"I did it because I’m the boss. On the field and off. Don't forget that." Jace whispered and my jaw clenched. I wish I could tear him into pieces, the exact way he was hurting me.

"I hate you. I hate everything about this."

"People are watching," Jace warned, glancing around at the nearby fans. "Rule number one. Smile."

"No. We’re alone enough. I’m done for today." I replied sternly and Jace's face turned cold.

"You’re not done until I say so," Jace said, leaning down with his face inches from mine. His eyes were dark. "You’re wearing my name. That means you’re mine."

"I’m not yours," I hissed.

"Then why are you still standing here?" He asked and I scoffed. Does he think I want to be here?

“I am here because you’re a damn maniac forcing me into an agreement with you.” I responded and his lips curved up.

“You think I am a maniac? Good. I guess it’s fair since the things I think about doing to you are pretty bad.” He said, leaning in closer, and my heart skipped a beat.

What things? Was he talking about destroying my reputation or something else?

But I think it was the latter from the way he was now gazing at my lips. Oh no!

Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket and I gladly turned my face away.

Jace pulled back a little, but I could see the hurt he was trying to mask.

"Check it. It’s probably another fan telling you how lucky you are." He said mischievously and I rolled my eyes. His ego was bigger than his brain.

I took out my phone and saw a text from an unknown number. I swallowed hard before reading it. I knew it was Jace’s enemy, he usually texted with different unknown numbers.

Unknown: Ask Jace about the girl who wore that jersey last year. Ask him why she isn't at this school anymore.

A chill ran down my spine and I looked up at Jace.

"Jace?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"What?"

"Who wore this jersey last year? Who was your last girlfriend?"

Jace’s face went pale. He let go of my waist like I was made of poison. He looked around the parking lot, eyes wide and panicked.

"Where did you hear that?" he asked.

"Someone texted me. They said... they said something happened to her."

Jace didn't answer. He grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward his car.

"We’re leaving. Now," he said.

"Jace, tell me! What happened to her?" I argued, trying to break free, but his grip was too tight.

Jace stopped by the car door. He turned to me, and for the first time, I saw real fear in his eyes.

"If you want to stay safe, Lenny, you will never ask about her again," he said.

"Why? Is she dead?"

Jace opened the car door and shoved me inside. He leaned over me, his voice a whisper that made my blood run coldly.

"She's not dead," Jace said. "But after what they did to her to get to me... she wishes she was." He answered sternly then slammed the door on my face and got into the driver’s seat.

My mind turned blank. So this enemy was this dangerous, yet Jace was putting me in danger by bringing me into his world! What if…the same thing happened to me?

As we drove away, I looked out the window with my hands shaking from fear. I still couldn’t get the text out of my mind. So many thoughts of the evil they did to the girl have crossed my mind and I was so frightened.

As Jace turned to my street, in the distance, I saw a person standing under a streetlamp. They were wearing a dark hoodie and holding a phone, while watching us and my eyes widened.

I looked down at my phone. A new message popped up.

Unknown: You're next, Lenny. Run while you still can.

I looked at Jace. He was gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white.

"Jace. Who is trying to hurt us?" I whispered with my lips trembling and his jaw clenched.

Jace didn't look at me, he just stepped on the gas.

"Everyone," he said.