The Pact: Rebels of Ridgecrest High (Book 1)

Kate and Madison picked me up to take me to the game. Dad and Asher went with the rest of the players, so it was just the three of us. We had a meal at Annie’s Diner, and it was nice. Just the girls. I got to know Kate more, and she’s amazing. At first, I’d assumed she’s like my mom. That she’d married someone with money and lived that housewife life. Nope, Kate is successful in her own right. She owns her own business, selling cake supplies to bakeries around the country.

I respect that about her. Her ex—Madison and Asher’s dad—is a corporate lawyer. He lives out of state, so he wouldn’t be coming to any games. I feel bad for Asher that his dad won’t be here for his first game of the season. Madison told me he’s an asshole, and she hasn’t seen or spoken to him in over a year.

Kate asks me to sit with her and Madison when we get to the stadium, but I tell her I have friends waiting for me. I don’t, but I can see how uncomfortable Madison is being so close to three girls that are standing there watching us. The looks they give her rile me up, but I don’t want to cause a scene or make it worse for her.

She’s still having issues with her best friend, Bella. I’d hoped things might have gotten better for her, but they haven’t. So, I ask her if she wants to sit with me, and she jumps at the chance. Kate’s face lights up at my offer, and she tells us to have fun and meet her at the car after the game.

“This is so exciting,” Madison screams in my ear from where she sits beside me in the stadium.

Ridgecrest has a decent field—nothing like Lakeview’s, of course—but it doesn’t matter to me either way. All that matters is the game the guys are about to play.

Madison isn’t wearing her school colors; she’s in a black tee, jeans, and a baseball cap. When I first saw her in the car, I’d pointed out her lack of school spirit. She pointed out my own, and I laughed. I’d chosen to wear Asher’s jersey. If the guys think I’m fucking him, might as well dress the part. I’m being a bitch, but I don’t care.

Wearing the rival team’s colors makes me more of a rebel. A few people tell me I should fuck off to the Kings’ section, but then they see who I am and start to whisper loud enough for me to hear. They can’t believe I would wear this jersey after I fucked three Rebels players…that maybe I’ve moved on to the other team.

This is how rumors and gossip spread. I don’t care. They can say what they like. I know who I am. No use wasting my voice on people who don’t care what the truth is. They only care about the drama. High school will end, and none of this means shit in the real world.

I’m glad to have Madison’s company, since it means I’m not here alone. Cadence and Sadie said they have better things to do than watch football. As much as Cadence wants to see Hunter naked, she’s not obsessed with him enough to attend a football game.

The Rebels run out onto the field, and the crowd goes wild. I can feel the excitement buzzing in the air. Madison laughs and looks at the people around us.

“Have you ever been to a game?” I ask. Asher told me he was on the JV team as a freshman, but she acts like this is all new to her.

She shakes her head and chuckles. “I kinda hate football. All sports, really. I would rather be home reading a book, so I’ve never come to one. I usually beg Mom to leave me home every time Asher has a game.”

I smile and nudge her shoulder. “What changed your mind tonight, then?”

She smiles over at me and says, “You.”

My heart stutters a little. She came because I’m here. I reach my arm around her shoulder and give her a side hug. “I’m so excited you’re here. It’s gonna be fun seeing you react to the game for the first time. Watching the game in person is totally different. You get swept up in everyone cheering and booing. Even if you don’t like sports, you’ll get into it. I bet you’ll be cheering by the end of the night.”

The players start stretching and warming up as they practically parade in front of us. Hunter is there, and when my eyes catch his, he stops suddenly. Emerson runs right into the back of him.

I smile and wave at Hunter. He hasn’t spoken to me all week. But he also doesn’t seem as angry anymore. I’ve been hoping we could talk so I can explain who Asher is to me. But we haven’t had the chance.

“Who’s that?” Madison asks as she stares down at Asher and Em.

“That’s Hunter, one of my former best friends. And the guy beside him is Emerson.”

“Oh, Hunter looks angry.”

She isn’t wrong. I realize he saw Asher’s number on my back when I turned to look at Madison. But, hey, if he looks to the other side of the field, he’ll see Asher’s mom wearing the same jersey. Not that he’ll look over there or that it matters. It’s the fact I’m the one wearing it.

If Asher hadn’t insisted I wear his jersey, I would feel bad for him. He’s gonna get his ass handed to him with the way Hunter is eyeing him already. I just lit the fuse…I hope Asher can handle the explosion.

“This is gonna be a fun game.” I chuckle sarcastically.

It doesn’t take long to realize the whole Rebel defense is after Asher. As soon as our offense leaves the field, Asher walks on with his confident swagger. Then he looks up at me and points, tapping his hand over his chest.

Madison waves, and I shake my head and wave back. I can’t wipe the smile from my face, cocky bastard. Asher loves it. He’s riling them up, and they’re taking the bait. I can only hope he doesn’t get hurt for his antics.

I watch as the Kings’ center snaps the ball to their quarterback, Walker Murphy. I met Walker last weekend at the party Asher took me too. He’s good. Hell, he’s better than that. He’s going places.

He looks down for the pass, and Asher is running at an amazing speed. But I see Grady and two other Rebels on him. Walker passes to another player, and the Kings score their first touchdown.

It isn’t good for the Rebels, since they are running defense in a way that leaves pockets open. The fact that they have it out for Asher is letting Lakeview score touchdowns easily. I’m starting to regret my choice of clothing…Asher has been sacked a few times, and the last time he limped a little. I did warn him.

Jace catches my eye from the sideline. I don’t see anger on his face. I see…jealousy? No, that can’t be right. He’s just pissed I’m wearing Asher’s number. He all but ignored me this week. And Britney has still been trying to mess with me in her PG, friendly-mean-girl way. It’s sad but enjoyable to watch.

I wave at Jace as he walks onto the field. I watch him put his mouth guard in as he turns to me, calling out the next play. The center snaps him the ball and Jace passes it down the field to Hunter, who catches it. I start jumping and screaming. It’s an amazing throw by Jace, but Hunter is amazing too. I didn’t know what to expect when I saw them play, but they are unreal together.

Hunter is sacked almost as soon as he catches the ball, and they set up the play again. I can’t sit down. My throat is hoarse from screaming. The score is twenty-one to twenty-eight, and we need this touchdown and a two-point conversion to win. This is such a close game, my nails are digging into my palms. Even Madison has started cheering for the Rebels. The crowd around us has turned her into one of us. I laugh because she doesn’t really know what’s going on, but I love her newfound passion for football.

Hunter sprints down the field toward the end zone. The way he moves is magnificent, dodging the Kings’ defense and twirling as he looks back to Jace.

But the pass to Hunter is fake. My eyes have been so focused on Hunter that I miss Jace passing the ball off to Roman, who is now barreling at full speed down to the end zone. I’m jumping up and down with the rest of the crowd. Holy shit, he’s going to make it. We are going to score a touchdown.

At the last moment, a Lakeview player tackles Roman. But it’s too late. Touchdown. The crowd erupts into cheers.

“Holy shit, Mila,” Madison shrieks. “Look at the score.”

I look over to the score board, already knowing what it will show. With less than a minute left, the Rebels need those two points to win.

My heart is pounding as the ball is snapped to Jace and he spins, looking for an open player. He dodges King players and darts around. Roman is open, and Jace throws to him. I hold my breath as a King tackles him. Roman holds his hand out with the ball as he goes down. But I can see from here he didn’t make it. The refs give the no signal, and the crowd’s mood changes instantly.

“Fuck, so fucking close,” I mutter to myself. The Kings are good. But if our defense had tightened up more, we could have won this.

The Kings take a knee and that’s it, first game of the season over.

As we leave the stands, Madison smiles and grabs my arm. “It was such a good game. I didn’t really like football, but now I get the appeal.” She wiggles her brows at me, and I chuckle.

I swing my arm around her shoulder as the crowd starts to move forward. I don’t want to lose her. “Hey…it’s not about the hot guys.” She tilts her head at me, and I shrug. “Okay, maybe a little.”

I’m sad for the Rebels, but I’m happy for Dad and Asher. First win of the season. They’re going to be on cloud nine when we see them.

I meet Dad, Kate, and Asher out by the car. They are coming back with us. Dad has a huge grin, and Asher is talking to a few cheerleaders, who giggle and bounce at his every word. He looks over at me and winks. I roll my eyes at him but grin. He just chuckles and goes back to talking to them.

“Dad.” I hug him and pull back. “The team was amazing. All the work you’ve done with them has paid off.”

He kisses my head and chuckles deeply. “Ah, they were great before I started there, but thanks for the confidence boost, Mila.”

“Where’s my favorite girl?” Asher calls out as he approaches me, his arms wide open to hug me.

I shove him, and he stumbles back, laughing. “You were amazing, Asher. But I’m not hugging you in public.” I get closer to him, bringing him in as if I’m going to whisper something. “People might think I know you or something.” I yell as I pull back and give him a disgusted face.

He laughs and dusts off his shoulders then poses like a body builder. “As if you’re that special to know me.” Clearly, those two touchdowns he scored have gone to his head. But I love it.

Then he becomes more serious. “Thanks, Mila. I could hear you cheering me, and you too, Madison. Does that mean you two will be at all my games?” His grin is contagious as he raises his brows.

Madison shrugs, and I follow suit.

Seeing Asher’s gaze on something behind us, I turn to see what he’s looking at. Hunter, Jace, Roman, and Grady are watching us. I look back to Dad and Kate, and they’re holding hands, kissing, and appearing very much like the couple they are. I wonder if the boys can see what a stupid mistake they made in assuming I’ve been fucking Asher.

“Grady was out for blood today,” Asher says. “And he isn’t even one of your boys. I’ll be feeling it once the adrenaline wears off.”

I shake my head at him. “I told you this wasn’t a good idea. Plus, Grady…he’s kinda my friend. He’s been driving me to school all week, so I think he might be mad at me now.”

I didn’t think about that when I put this jersey on. But if I have to catch the bus, it’ll be worth it. The looks on the guys’ faces are priceless.

“Let’s go, sis. There’s a Lakeview party calling our name.”

Dad kisses his girlfriend before opening the passenger door for her. I sit in the back of Kate’s white BMW SUV next to Madison, but my eyes are drawn to where I last saw the boys. They’re gone.

Probably off to a Ridgecrest party…or to drown their sorrows. They lost by one point. If I was them—or with them—that’s what I’d be doing.