e

h Carter is good at, it'

it's at home, at school, or in front of half the football team-he knows exactly where to poke, and h

as no d

atch that. To

ready in a foul mood. Nothing like running laps in front of a bunch of guys who only see you as the punchl

t was practically

loose over his broad shoulders, helmet dangling from his fingers like an accessory. He looked every i

ake people turn their heads. "Careful going through t

ond, the world

ust. His words hit harder than they should've, landing right on the softe

s. Not everyone, but enough. E

rs. "Wow," I said, my voice shaking with that dangerous mix

"Hey, I'm just looking out for school

again, like he was t

e floor to open up

ah is he doesn't j

rds over and over. And the worst part is, he doesn't even flinch when he

te that

too tight around them, the way they rub together in the summer, the way every girl in

l of people, it doesn't matter if he meant it as a joke. To me, it's

y eyes stinging. Jackson called after me, but I ignored him.

in a stall, pressing my forehead against the cool m

hispered, the words

voice echoed in my head, that my reflection in

that buried under all tha

hing

the way his shirt clung to his chest. I'd still remember the way his hair curled at the nape of his neck after practice, d

ted myse

r. I found him in the cafeteria at lunch, sitting with Jackson and the rest of the team. He didn't

the room, his grin widened. He nudged Jackso

knew, it w

in, walked past his table without a word, and s

s eyes on me

wasn't d

aiting for his nex

pulled off my jeans. I stood in front of the mirror, st

y really

more than my fair share of groceries when Mom worked late. They weren'

," I m

g to me like

ration. Why did he always have this power over me? Why couldn

t wasn't

best friend, his teammate.

e punchline. The sensitive t

he liked i

knotted at the thoug

't like me. If anything, he prob

eel like there

t I wasn't looking? Why did his insults always land

t like... li

most terrifying

to the bed, stari

tain: I wasn't go

tearing me down with stupid little

show

how, not yet

hs were thick, my skin

time he tried

be r