Chapter 81 The Things He Said

Chapter 81 The Things He Said
Inez’s POV

The moment I stepped off the bus, the empty space at the stop hit me harder than the humid air. Irene had promised to be there, but she wasn’t.

She’d mentioned something about Leo’s disappearance, and the thought gnawed at me. Could it have anything to do with what I’d asked him — about helping Irene?

I shook the thought off and pushed forward, slipping through the open gates of the stadium. The chatter was electric, a tide of voices rising and falling as students streamed in, their shirts proudly bearing the colors of the teams they supported.

Excitement buzzed in the air, but it only made me feel more out of place.

My hand hovered over my phone. I’d already tried calling Irene more times than I could count. Each attempt had ended the same way — silence. I lowered the phone, deciding against another try. Maybe the game wouldn’t even begin if Adrian’s team was missing Leo.

Still, something felt off. The crowd’s energy couldn’t drown out the unease curling in my chest.

Perhaps if I could catch sight of Adrian… maybe I’d ask him about Leo. I tried to convince myself Leo was fine, probably caught up with something important. I clung to that thought, forcing belief into it.

I will save you a spot, I’m in the stadium already, I texted Irene. Still, a part of me feared she’d gone looking for Leo instead.

Shifting my gaze to the field, I watched the mascots — the Ranger and the Frost Boar — dancing on opposite sides, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

Fans screamed, their voices rising like waves. Then came the cheerleaders, their routines sharp and synchronized. My eyes caught Hannah and Jess, and my stomach twisted.

Memories of their bullying surged back, sour and unwelcome. Where were the rest of their clique? Tasha, Lindsey? I didn’t care. I didn’t hate them anymore, but I wanted no part of their orbit.

“Alright, good evening folks. Great to have you here with us,” Ron Smith’s voice boomed from the commentator’s box.

“It’s a lovely evening to you too, Ron,” Abigail Hastenings chimed in, her tone bright.

“That’s right, Abigail. Just ten minutes until the Frost Boars take the field against the stars of Hartville High’s Rangers. Are we ready, folks?”
The stadium erupted, screams tearing into the night air.

Adrian’s POV

Ten minutes. That was all we had left. And my father — of all people — wanted a visual meeting from the office. Preposterous. Could he have found out I was playing today? The commercials were everywhere; anyone with eyes would know.

I glanced down at the slightly oversized suit Hank had pulled from his backpack. Wrinkled, but passable.

“You could manage that, make the video before Clarence comes in,” Hank scoffed. “I was planning to wear it, take pictures when we win.”

The room erupted in laughter.

“That’s awful, Hank,” Thomas mocked. “Who wears suits to an after-party?”

Their laughter echoed, but my eyes swept over them — my teammates, my brothers. They were looking to me, their captain. And here I was, letting fear creep in. No. Not today.

Whatever my father thought, whatever he planned, I didn’t care. I snatched my phone from Hank and typed a message to Adonis:

Tell my father he should watch me live on the screen.

Send. Done.

I stripped off the suit, their eyes widening as I straightened. “Okay, bring it, boys!” My voice boomed, cutting through the chatter.

They circled around me as I grabbed my helmet from Vincent. “We’re marching out there with or without Leo. We can do this. We are Rangers — unstoppable, unshakable. Tonight, we beat the Frost Boars in their own house and take home the prize. Are we in or not?”

I thrust my hand into the center.

“We’re in!” they chorused, slamming their hands down on mine.

Leo’s POV

Raising an arm felt like my bones were splintering. Pain shot through me, heavy as iron.
God… what was happening to me? Why was this happening?
Will they let me go?

“Trust me, lad, I know about the match,” the half-ponytail man said, exhaling thick smoke. “I know you play for Hartville. I  know all about  you. But I am for Sundale, even though you amuse me.”

“Why are you doing this? I don’t even know you,” I forced out, dragging myself into a sitting position. My legs trembled, too weak to stand. If I rose, they would crush whatever defiance I had left.

“Higgins made this possible,” the man continued, his tone sharp.
 “And I don’t like my gang being used behind my back. I warned him never to repeat it. But because I find you… pleasing, I won’t butcher you for your disrespect.”

The word butcher sent goosebumps racing across my skin. If they killed me here, I’d never see my parents again. My sister, Irene…

I hadn’t even told her how much she meant to me. How much I’d replayed that kiss we shared, even though I’d acted like an idiot.

My tongue always failed me when it came to her.

No. This wasn't happening. 
I pushed myself to my knees. “What do I have to do?” I asked, lowering my gaze.

The leader laughed. “Told you he’d come around.” He glanced at Higgins and to the rest of his men. Higgins simply and quickly looked away. “They call me Golden Hand because I favor those I find endearing. But to the world, I am P. Maybe, next time, I will tell you the story of why they call me P.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. What would he do to me?

“I will grant you grace. Join our gang, and nothing will befall you. I’ll forgive your insults and defiance.”

My eyes widened.

Join them?

That was ridiculous.

I didn’t know anything about their ways and I certainly  wasn’t interested.

What would Adrian and Irene think of me if this get out. What about my mother? She would certainly disown me.

I wasn’t a bad boy and I wasn’t planning to be one.

“That can’t work,” I said quickly. “I live in Hartville. You operate in Sundale.”

He smirked. “It can always work when you make it happen. Don’t you think so?”

I swallowed hard, unable to answer. “I’ll give you a reply once I get back to Hartville. Please… I need to think about this.”

Suddenly, the door to the dark room swung open, flooding us with light. Golden Hand’s head snapped up, rage flashing in his eyes. “What is this? Who are these girls?”

I turned towards the doorway. Irene stood there — and beside her, a dark-haired girl I’d never seen before.