Ryan's POV

Everything's coming up roses for this quarterback.

And thanks to McNeese and Lancaster pairing me up for this social-skills two-week project with Demario Bader, this is the primal opportunity to make sure that I leave nothing to chance and win the gifted yet broken nerd's heart.

He reminds me so much of Artem in so many ways that I had to start making my move quick before Jillian or even Theo could scare him off or force him to end his life. He has that inner blaze that's been in danger of being extinguished by his own flesh and blood but it's people like the Tuckers from his old neighborhood and even the McGillivray-Sullivan clan who are helping him pull together and break away from his past. How can such a soul like Demario endure so much pain for one's lifetime?

I'll admit that me kissing him that day was a dick move. Hell, it was a low blow and one that officially got me into hot water with my teammates and most of the school.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?! Peavey, that kid's been through enough hell without having to be pulled around by your ex-girlfriend, and you kissed him?!"

"Fuck, bro! Kendricks is going to be pissed the fuck off for that stunt you pulled. So will the Lomax clan and the Callaways! Even I'm a bit mad at ya! That kid has too much class to deal with any mo' bullshit!"

"You're playing with fire, Peavey. You're lucky that the Callaways got you off with a warning. If I were them, I'd give you detention and file a restraining order on that boy's behalf. You might mean well, but please let him be at peace."

Even my parents were disappointed in me. "That's a low move, boy," Pa said angrily after I got my ass beaten by him via a beer-knuckle match. "Demario's been through enough hell and has to deal with that witch of an ex-girlfriend of yours. I'm only going to say this once: don't slink yourself to that girl's level."

But still, I always knew that Demario would be the one who could fill the void in my heart after what Jillian did to Artem back then. I haven't forgiven myself for letting things escalate to that point, and I still don't now. But I won't let this go out of hand with Demario. He might think that I'm loaded with baggage now, but I will own his heart the same way he owns mine.

And this upcoming home football game is just the start alongside Vienna's after-party. I told her that there was to be NO alcohol or drugs under any circumstances since Demario isn't like that and she assured me that nothing will go wrong. And even as I work my ass off on the gridiron during practice, my eyes flit briefly to the VIP sections where the guests would be there. I hoped that Demario would be there alongside some support. McNeese believes in my plan to woo him and so do a few of my supporters. Nothing will stand in my way.

Not even Jillian Kendricks.

**************

Jillian's POV

Ryan Peavey is still moony over that Bader brat, even though Bader himself wants nothing to do with him.

I'll give Demario credit for steering clear from what's mine, though. He's wise enough to know what's up even though he continues to spurn my offer. But now, he's forced to work with MY BOYFRIEND for a school project that McNeese has something to do with it, that old hag from hell believing that Demario's not being supportive of the football team and needs Ryan to make him into a real man.

Doesn't she know what he's been through?

I may be a cold-hearted diva from hell, but even I know a bad parent when I see one: a hard-hearted security guard who favored her older sons while her wimpy husband doted over the younger sisters as their relatives loved both the younger and older kids while middle-child Demario was left in the cold to fend for himself. He did everything he could to make them happy, yet suffered a lot of his gains. And for his mom to wish him dead every single day?!

Yikes.

That may be for Theo, that suicidal prick (I still love him). But that's low even for my standards, and I'm the biggest bitch around!

Anyway, Demario might be luring Ryan and could be the usual snake-charmers that I loathe. But then again...what if he's not? What if he really wants no part with Ryan's games and he's only focused on school and his mental health?

The home football game's coming up this week and I know that Ryan has him set up as a VIP guest, so I know that he'll have to attend even if he doesn't want to. I just need to make my case to him beforehand. I really don't want to be this bad bitch, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

And with Homecoming just a couple of weeks away, the game is on and there's no going back. Demario has to choose which side he's on: mine...or Ryan's? And the wrong choice will spell disaster.

The game is on. Devil take the hindmost.

It's a short-ish chapter, but it's setting up for a thrilling arc in this storyline as I can see that I'm going off-script from my planned outline. Still, you gotta admit that there's plenty of heat going on in this storyline!

Now, let me know what you think: Should Demario go to the football game and after-party? Or should he stay home?

Anyway, the next chapter is when Demario makes his own arrangements before running into Jillian herself (despite the restraining order)! Oh, my! The tea is ready to spill all around! Stay tuned, folks, because it's about to go down!

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