Page 84 of Bound By Fury

Daisy and Sam turn just in time to see me approaching and they scream, throwing their arms around me.

“I’m so glad you made it!” Daisy squeals.

“I thought you were ditching us,” Sam admonishes, running their hand through their newly dyed hair.

My stomach sinks.

The homecoming game hadn’t gone completely as expected. I’d spent my afternoon with Lucas at the café, our legs pressed together as we sat side by side, him pretending to write a paper for econ, and me sketching plans for my art final.

Every moment since then has been a slog.

I got ready for the game in a daze, so out of it that I swore I saw something pass behind me as I stood nose to nose with the mirror while putting on my mascara. When I turned around, nothing was there.

The sounds of the roaring crowd only made my head pound, and the cold metal bleachers of the Mountain Wolves Stadium bit harshly into my thighs. I was so sluggish that my eyes could barely track the curved blade of Malachi’s carbon fiber prosthetic as it hit the ground in whizzing slices, the ball soaring higher than I even thought was possible. He passed it straight into the pocket every time—his secret to being a top-ranked quarterback despite his disability; meanwhile I couldn’t stop myself from keeping tabs on a different player, the Friday night lights illuminating his every move like a beacon.

Lucas was playing his best game of the season so far. He was zooming all over the field, his body fluid, slipping from the arms of his opponents like water.

But something about what Missy said had been nagging at the back of my mind, and I’ve decided that tomorrow I’m going to confront Lucas about Fiona. I’m going to confirm that he had nothing to do with her disappearance. That he’s got nothing to do with any of this, despite what we found in his dad’s office.

I know in my heart that if he has intel about what happened to her, he’ll be honest with me. So I don’t know why I feel nervous about it. Or maybe it’s just being around him that makes me nervous. Him and everything that’s changed between us. Him and his sunshine skin and Carolina blue eyes. His lopsided smile.

I shake off the lingering stress and laugh as I return my friends’ hug. “I know, I’m sorry I’m late! But I’m ready to have some fun for once.”

We link arms, the blaring music beating a pulsating rhythm that vibrates in my chest. I can barely hear myself think, but it’s a surprising relief.

When we finally reach the kegs, there’s a blonde in our way.

I slap my hand down on the table. “Your highness,” I say, angling my head toward her. The homecoming queen is missing her crown.

“Ack!” Missy startles. “What’s wrong with you? Jesus Christ!”

I laugh, but Daisy squeezes herself between us. “Hey, nothing’s wrong with her. Harper’s perfect.”

“Pshh,” Missy snorts. “Perfect at getting on my nerves.”

I pour us all drinks and pass the beers to my friends. And Missy.

“You here with anyone?” I ask her, taking a sip of my beer.

She glances at Daisy. “Nah, just a couple of cheer friends.”

Daisy rolls her eyes.

“You got a problem with cheerleaders?” Missy asks her.

“I’ve got a problem with any sport that upholds the patriarchy.”

“So… you’ve got a problem with all sports.”

Daisy thinks about it. “Not figure skating. I like figure skating. And Roller Derby. Oh, and luge, maybe?”

Missy cocks her head to the side. “You’re weird.”

“Thank you.” Daisy says, smiling into her cup. Across from us Sam meets my eyes, a puzzled look on their face.

“Besides,” Daisy starts. “Cheerleading isn’t really a sport anyway.”

Missy turns slowly, her mouth pinched with barely contained fury. “What did you just say?”