Chapter 46

“You and I need to talk.” Was all he heard as his arm was grabbed, rather forcibly, and he was pulled off to the side as he left the locker room. It happened so quick, Dan actually didn’t even think to react and fight back. Even more so, his mind froze as he recognized the voice, and the figure, that had just pulled him into a dark, shaded area near the locker rooms, away from prying eyes. Ashley VanCamp.

“What the hell?” Dan asked, pulling his arm free as he looked at her. Because he’d been playing soccer all week, he’d actually not seen much of her. She and Sophia were Juniors after all, and most of his classes were freshman specific. Not only that, he and they did not hang out in the same crowds. Or, more appropriately, without Peter around, Dan didn’t feel like going near the tennis crowds they hung with. The girls were nice to him…mostly, but the boys were jerks, and he wasn’t welcomed around them. Instead, he’d been spending lunch with a few of the guys from the soccer team.

“That’s what I should be saying.” Ashley said coldly as she looked him up and down. “What the hell are you doing? Where have you been?”

“Er,” Dan looked around. Considering she’d just yanked him away as he’d left the locker room, it didn’t seem like a secret. “Playing soccer?”

She slapped him. It stung, and anger flashed through Dan. Anger that was amplified by the return of a snickering Syn.

“Don’t.” Ashley said, without pause. “Don’t play stupid. And you’re not Peter, so stop acting like him. Now, why the hell haven’t you been on the tennis courts?”

Dan did his best to calm his nerves. This was not what he’d expected. Getting slapped, definitely didn’t help, and now, her accusatory manner of speaking, and her comment about Peter. What was her problem?

“I didn’t realize you cared so much.” He said dryly. “Hell, I figured you’d be happy not to see me on those courts. You know what, I bet you had something to do with it. I’ve seen you chatting with the guys. I bet you encouraged them to keep me from playing. All because you felt threatened by me. Threatened I would take Sophia away from you.” Dan’s anger flared, his blood burning.

Ashley looked like she thought about slapping him for a second, before she stepped back. The action almost seemed instinctual, as if she thought that he was about to hit her. Yet defiance raged in her eyes, along with her confusion. “First, I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. The guys on the tennis team just hang out with us because they want in our pants. I do my best just to ignore them. Whatever drama you have with them, isn’t my problem.”

“Uh huh.” Dan said. “It’s just convenient for you then, that I’ve been unable to practice tennis all week? It’s just luck then, that they kicked me off the courts until Peter returns?”

Ashley’s eyes actually took on a moment of shock as she looked at Dan. “They what?”

“Yeah, don’t play dumb.” His anger was still hot. And thinking about the events with the tennis players, just fueled his anger. “You were pissed I was getting good. You’ve had it out for me ever since Peter mentioned I wanted to become Sophia’s partner for mixed doubles. You were threatened I would take her from you, and you wouldn’t be able to make a move on her. Well, here’s a message for you, I’ve still got every intention of completing that goal. So I don’t know what type of shit you’re getting at, or what you’re trying to pull, but at the end of the day, I’m-“

He saw the slap coming this time, and easily stopped it. Dan caught Ashley’s wrist in his hand, and he was slightly surprised by the speed with which his hand moved. She was to, considering the mask of confusion and rage on her face. His father had taught him to never hit women, but that didn’t mean he was going to let her just keep hitting him.

“Let me go.” She growled, as she tried to yank her wrist free.

“Not until you tell me what you’re actually after.” He responded, tightening his grip slightly. She winced, and he immediately felt bad, and let her go. This wasn’t him. This wasn’t how he’d been raised. Honestly, he wasn’t sure what came over him.

“If you must know.” She said, rubbing her wrist. Dan could see red marks from where he’d grabbed her. Shit. Had his strength climbed over a tier without him realizing? “I came here, because Sophia was wondering about you.”

Her voice dropped. “You and Peter have spent so much time together, and we’ve both seen how much work he’s been putting into you. And,” her voice went even lower, “everyone has been impressed with the talent you seem to show for the sport. So when you suddenly stopped showing up, and started playing soccer, we started to wonder.”

“You know, just asking would have worked out better than this confrontation.” Dan said, his anger barely in check. She’d been nothing but cold and mean to him. Completely unlike Sophia.

“If you haven’t noticed,” she said with a slight laugh, “I’m not the best at normal conversations.” She looked at him, her eyes apologetic. “I’m sorry about hitting you.”

He started to reply with a smartass response but stopped. She was being sincere. “Apology accepted. And, I’m sorry about your wrist.”

Ashely shook her head. “So…”

“So?”

“You’re going to be back on the tennis courts next week?”

“Yeah. Peter should be back as well, so even if the guys have an issue with it, something tells me they’ll have no say in where I can practice.” Dan could only imagine what would happen if Peter caught word of how they’d treated Dan. He’d been hoping to just keep that bit quiet. While he had no love for the other tennis players, at least, definitely not Ben, Dan really didn’t want to cause trouble for the team. Especially considering Peter would be graduating that year. Meaning next year, if Dan was still playing tennis, he’d have to get along with all of them without Peter there to back him up.

“Alright then.” Ashely responded. “That’s all I wanted to figure out.” She said, slightly awkward. “I’ll let Sophia know as well, and I guess we will see you out there next week.”

Ashley’s sudden change in approach towards him had him completely confused. If he had to guess, his charisma was playing a part in this. But how much, he wasn’t sure.

“Oh, and one more thing before I go.” Ashely showed him a small, smile. More of a smirk really, while her eyes shone with determination. “I’m sure Peter mentioned it to you, but I like Sophia. Meaning,” she stepped in closer to him once more, “anyone who chases after her, anyone who tries to take her away, is the enemy.”

And there it was, Ashely was back to her normal self. Though, that last statement, as she left, seemed to have a little less blatant venom in it, and came across more like a…friendly rivals type situation? Either way, the whole exchange had left Dan more than a little confused, and completely threw him off mentally for what he’d been about to do.

“Women.” He muttered under his breath as he turned towards the soccer team. He could reflect on everything that had just happened later. For now, it was time for the scrimmage, and more importantly, time to put Auto-Battle to the test.