We are down twenty-eight to twenty-four. The crowd in the stands is mostly made up of teenagers and parents chanting something, but I'm too focused on the way Sabrina's ass moved in her cheer skirt.

If I don't get it together soon, we're screwed. The clock is now at thirty seconds and we would lose our own Homecoming game if we don't time this right.

Everyone lines up on the scrimmage line. Bradley and I are in position, ready to bring to action the very play we rehearsed so many times the day before. As running backs, it's our job to catch the handoffs or passes from Rodney, our quarterback. The pass is supposed to go to Bradley since he's faster, but if he's surrounded it'll go to me.

Rodney shouts the play, and I start to run at the signal. I go around as many rival players as I can to get to the center of the field. The ball spirals towards me with less than thirty seconds remaining. Since Bradley's probably surrounded, they're all depending on me. I almost trip over my own feet at the thought.

There's a harsh thump on my chest when I catch the ball.

A little sweat trickles into my eyes, so I barely see number forty-two rushing towards me. I blink and dodge him at the last second. When I feel a grip on my arm, I spin out of it with ease. And with my boosted confidence, I plow right through number ten. The bleachers go crazy when I make the touchdown, slamming the ball into the turf.

I hear my team howl in victory and run over to congratulate me. Rodney wraps a proud arm around me while Cole pats my back. Our rivals, Rodnick High, on the other hand, are yelling in frustration. I smirk, but it probably looked ridiculous with the mouthguard in my mouth.

One player catches my attention as he walks by. Ryan Berkley, the quarterback of the rival team, scowls at me with a viciousness only he can muster. He spits in my direction and it only just misses my shoe. I growl in frustration, but Rodney holds me in place to keep me from decking him.

It was surprising that we were able to get through this game without a fight breaking out. Berkley is a manipulative bastard who usually tries to get a rise out of everyone, but today he was suspiciously on his best behavior.

Rodney, Bradley, Cole, and Brett Larson are all huddled together in the way back corner of the locker room when I get there. My curiosity only peeks when Bradley's disappointed face kicks in. Seeing it always put me on edge, because I always know in that moment that Rodney has done something bad.

"What's going on?" I ask, cautiously.

Bradley huffs angrily while he tears off his gear and jersey.

"Rodney blackmailed Berkley," Cole blurts, immediately following a bonk on the back of the head by Brett. "Ow, asshole."

"Keep your voice down!" Brett hisses. "You want the whole team knowing?"

I don't have time for this, and cut right to the chase "What did you do?"

"I have something on him. Nothing big, but it got him to leave us alone for the game. No funny business." Rodney then shows me his phone. It's a picture of Berkley making out with some girl, his hands down her pants. "That would be Patrick Dooley's girlfriend, AKA Berkley's best friend. Total breach of bro-code, dude."

"Are you serious?" I run my hand through my hair in aggravation. "I can't believe you'd do something so stupid after what happened last time."

Some of our younger teammates appear to be listening in, but Rodney isn't having it. "Don't you all have somewhere to be?"

They were curious, but not enough to get on their team captain's bad side. All of the snoops drop their gazes and disperse.

Rodney waits until all perked ears have vanished, then looks at me. "I'm not going to let that happen, Austin. Listen, I didn't use this to win the game, if that's what you're thinking. This time, I played fair."

"That better be all," Bradley warns, clearly done with his cousin's stunts. "You can't afford any bad attention with Yale looking into you."

I give in, for now. "This better not come back to bite us in the ass.

"Trust me, Berkley won't be bothering us anymore." His smirk returns on his face, obviously having convinced himself he's right. "Now, don't we have a party to go to?"

I groan internally, trying to hide my distaste for another party. Judging how Andrew reacted the last time I came home drunk, I don't want a repeat. The idea of staying over at a friend's place pops in my head, and my spirits immediately brighten.

A night away from home is much needed.

                                                                                          ~ ~ ~

Homecoming parties are always one of the biggest parties of the year. On this night, it doesn't matter if you're one with the popular crowd, a loser, a stoner - everyone's invited.

The biggest Homecoming tradition at Cromwell High is simple. It's a code that has to be followed tonight, and it's that everyone has to get along. No fighting and no drama. Just one night where the whole school comes together, united as one. And if anyone were to disturb the peace on this sacred night, God help them.

Courtney Brookes has always been known for throwing the most entertaining parties, so it isn't surprising that she's hired a DJ for the night. Her pool and hot tub are set up, even for the fifty-degree weather, and of course, with enough alcohol to fill everyone's cups.

Strobe lights fill the inside of the house, along with multiple colored ones bouncing off the walls. The way the bass is bouncing through everyonés bodies sends a vibe through the room, making people dance wilder and closer. Humidity has taken over the room, and it's almost to the point where it's impossible to move without grazing someone's shoulder.

I look throughout the whole house, as well as outside, on my search for Sabrina, but my girlfriend is nowhere to be found. This isn't surprising, given how jam-packed this place is. She has to be here tonight, though. Everyone is. It's social suicide not to show up.

When I get tired of looking around, I head for the kitchen. Madison Jones, one of my oldest friends from middle school, is pouring herself a drink when I walk in. She looks at me and smiles, offering me a drink.

I gratefully take it and notice the clear liquid with two olives on a toothpick. "A little fancy for a high school party, don't you think?"

Madison laughs, taking a sip of her own. "Oh yeah, definitely. Bradley was teaching me a thing or two about mixing drinks, and a Dirty Martini is the farthest we've gotten so far."

"Oh, Bradley." I raise my eyebrows. "How's that going?"

Another laugh escapes her. "Stop it, it's not like that. Plus, I'm going out with Paul, anyways."

"The theater nerd?" I ask.

She flicks my forehead. "Be nice."

I chuckle, rubbing my throbbing skin.

"Big baby," she teases. "But no, Bradley seems a lot more interested in Charlette, anyways. I mean, he's going with her to the dance tomorrow."

"Hm." This girl drama isn't interesting enough to hold my attention. "Did you happen to see my girlfriend around? I've been looking for her all night."

"Nope, but I'm sure she's around here somewhere." Madison sounds indifferent. She's never been the biggest fan of Sabrina for some reason. With a small nudge, she changes the subject. "You were really great at the game tonight, by the way. We would have lost if it wasn't for that touchdown."

"Yeah, we would have." A humble person would say something absurd, like 'there's no I in team', but I'm not him. I knock back the last of the drink and stand up. "I have to go, though. The search continues."

I grab a beer before heading out the back. The outdoor air is refreshing and I finally spot my girlfriend. Her back is facing me while she's deep in conversation with her friend, Amber Reid. Clearly, her friend needs to go if I want to have Sabrina all to myself for tonight.

Sneaking up behind her, she lets out a squeal when I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her to me. While kissing my girlfriend's cheek, I look up at her best friend through my lashes. Amber's demeanor has completely changed since I got here, clearly disappointed to see me. The feeling is mutual, but I can't help but smirk at the annoyed expression on her face.

"Hey, gorgeous," I whisper in Sabrina's ear as my lips graze her earlobe.

When I notice Amber still looking, I wink. In turn, she rolls her eyes.

"I'm getting a drink," she hisses, clearly sick of me already.

"Sorry about her." Sabrina turns around so that she's face to face with me. "I try to tell her to be civil, but you know how she is."

"Starting to think she has a crush on you." I chuckle.

She slaps me playfully. "Amber is not a lesbian."

"How can you be so sure?" I raise my eyebrows and smirk. "I don't know, I could be into a threesome."

Suddenly my joke is not so entertaining to her anymore. She looks up at me angrily, not enjoying my jab at comedy. I know Amber isn't gay just as much as I know she hates my guts, but we both agreed Sabrina would never know. If my girlfriend knew that I banged her best friend a year before we got together, it would really put a damper on our relationship.

"Come on, Rina," I laugh, grabbing her hands in mine. "It's called a joke."

Like usual, she doesn't take what I said as one. She just keeps scolding me with her piercing gaze, making me feel like a child. I try to suppress the glare coming on when she continues to look at me like that, not finding it the least bit entertaining.

Rolling my eyes, I grab her hand.

"What are you doing?" She asks as I lead her inside.

"Getting you to loosen up."

I sit her down on one of the bar stools of the kitchen and I don't give her time to argue before mixing up my own version of a Screwdriver. I put a little more alcohol in it than I think she can handle, but what she doesn't know won't hurt.

"Try this." I hand her the drink and wait patiently for her to take a sip. When she doesn't, I nudge her. "Sabrina, just try it."

"I don't know," she sounds so unsure I almost roll my eyes.

"It'll be fine. Please, for me?"

When she finally takes a sip, a small smile reaches her lips. "I like it."

A satisfied smirk laces my lips as she takes another.

***

This is it, guys! I'm officially starting the editing process of this series. After 3 rewrites and lots of sweat and tears, I finally got down to it. Yes, I started this version a little later into the story, meaning small plot points will be changing, such as when Sabrina finds things out and there will be some things changing from the changes I already made in Crooked (Harry's spin-off).

This version of BMR also has it's own separate book if ya'll want to add it to your library! 

Lemme know in the comments what you think about this new version of BMR so far. All comments are welcome because I love to hear back from you all to know what you think! There's also that little star in the corner if you think that chapter was deserving (: 

More to come soon!

Until next time,

TheWriterD