Page 33 of Jockstraps & Newspapers

Chapter twenty

Going all the way to the goal post

Cassiopeia

T he day was a whirlwind. While the team practiced, she got her camera, microphone, and other tools ready for the game.

Then it was go-go-go between talking with the announcer, getting information from the marching band, and calling to ensure her siblings would be there; her blood pressure was dangerously high.

Stress. She was at the gate one moment, getting her gaggle of sisters down into good seats, then in the announcer booth the next, ensuring her shots were lined up for the video feed.

Cass finally slowed down in the stands, off to the side so she wouldn't interfere with anyone's view, pulling out her regular camera.

Something akin to an ominous cloud rolled over her as someone stepped up behind her. Her skin crawled as they brushed their shoulder against hers and rested against the railing in front of her. "Cassiopeia, where have you been all my life? "

Slimy, rotten, Stevie McMatterson stood beside her, his biceps pressed against hers.

Cass tried to step over, put breathing room between them, but there was nowhere to go.

Great. She took a deep breath in sharply through her nose, reminding herself to be on her best behavior.

"McMatterson, evening, I thought it was in your best interest not to talk with me? "

"Stevie, please," he dragged out the sound in a disgusting, flirty fashion. Cass struggled not to groan dramatically and roll her eyes. She kept her gaze on the camera screen as she took shots of the field before the players ripped it up.

"Once more, I thought you were advised to leave me alone." She straightened her spine into an iron rod and glared out to the field.

"Mmm, yeah, but we both know why Elliot warned me about that. He's territorial about the ass he's plowing."

Cass gripped her camera, nails digging into the plastic like she could shatter it like glass. Inch by inch, she turned her head toward him. "What did you say?"

"Please, we all know how the game is played. I'm not shaming you for it, a girl's gotta do who a girl's gotta do in order to get a paycheck, I get it. I'm just wondering if maybe I can get the same deal?"

Red. All she saw was red as a flat palm smacked against her rear end.

Cass wasn't sure what happened first. Did she swing her camera at his head first?

Did her sisters, having clocked her and Stevie together, swoop in first?

Did Stevie fall out of the stands first?

She wasn't sure. But in quick succession, she arched her arm back, forgetting how expensive the camera was, and swung.

Somehow, in that kerfuffle of bodies and red, Stevie landed in the bushes lining the stands and Cass was being dragged, bound and gagged by her siblings, down the steps.

It wasn't till they were safely tucked in the concrete cover of the arena's concession area was she released.

"Was that who I think it was?" Andromeda growled, looking down at the hall they just cleared.

"Stevie McMatterson, yeah," Lyra huffed, untangling Cass's hair and returning it to its regular glory.

"Fuck that guy," Haylee snorted, handing the concessions worker a handful of gold in exchange for soda and popcorn.

"Why did he smack your ass?" Katterina squinted at the hallway, as if contemplating charging up there and getting the answer herself.

"He knows Elliot and I are involved, so he wanted some." The confession fell out of Cass like a lead weight. She sank back against the concrete wall, counting her heartbeats until they slowed. "Thanks…for the quick save."

"Of course, what are sisters for?" Katterina beamed at her sister, offering her open arms for a hug.

Cass gladly took it, engulfing her younger sibling in a hug.

"Oh, I'll give him something, a piece of my mind!

" Andromeda sneered, snatching up a handful of popcorn and shoveling it into her mouth.

Cass was struck by how informal her sister was now, hair down, clothes only a smidgen wrinkled, and clearly eating wildly.

It made Haylee grin from pointy ear to ear, offering the eldest sister more.

"You can't, the truce between McMatterson and Cassiopeia is tentative at best. We'd be lucky if skippy doesn't run to daddy tonight and whine that he was tossed five feet into some bushes for slapping a girl's ass.

We all know how seriously McMatterson takes those allegations.

" Lyra shook her head, pacing the tunnel with her arms crossed under her chest. "Cass needs to be prepared for McMatterson to come for her head.

Likely slimeball's already told daddy moneybags all about it. "

"I don't know how he found out," Cass breathed, taking the offered soda from Katterina and taking a steady sip. Then, it slowly dawned on her. Like a wash of cold shivers rolling down her back, she looked up at Lyra. "The day in the locker room."

"What?" Lyra was immediately in lawyer mode, brutishly bulldozing her way across the hall to Cass. "What happened?"

"Elliot and I…well we were in the shower together when Stevie burst in.

I kept low and Elliot went out to face him.

I was drying off and trying to get dressed but…

my shoes, my fucking flats must have been visible.

I mean, it's not like Elliot and I were hiding it.

The whole team knows we're together, I'm over at his house every other night, we come in together…

but…he thinks I'm doing this to build my career. "

Lyra grabbed her by the shoulders. "That doesn't give him the right, nor the go ahead, to sexually assault you.

It's not even against the rules—nay, it's not even frowned upon for journalists to write about the people they're dating.

No, I won't allow it. There is no fury like a Darling scorned.

I'm going to take care of this." She kissed Cass on the cheek before pulling away.

Cass lurched after her, left in a swirling bafflement of what just happened.

She came to a screeching halt only a few steps closer to her sister when Tens came bulldozing into the hallways leading away from concessions.

"There you are! Come, you don't wanna miss this, they're about to summon the teams."

She didn't have time to talk with Lyra or even ask her what she meant by take care of it.

Lyra's definition of 'taking care of this' and Cassiopeia's were vastly different.

While Cass agreed that Slimy Stevie needed to pay, she wasn't sure what Lyra was going to do.

She was known for raining literal hellfire down on businesses.

Yet, she didn't have a moment to think about it as she was tugged up through the arena and down onto the track surrounding the pitch.

Tens hoisted her up and off the track, onto a tin bench as massive portals opened up.

Tens, passing out field side passes to her sisters, and Lee, setting up the water station, didn't see the portal open.

They'd seen it a million times. However, Cass suddenly understood why so many people thought the opening was magical.

As she raised her camera to the massive, blue seam of magic that was unzipped across the air, a portal appeared.

Ripping open the air, a ring of swirling, hissing magic showed deep inside the locker room.

Coach Renner and Elliot came charging out first, followed swiftly by Toad and the rest of the team.

The arena erupted in cheers. Music from the bands started blaring, floating wisps of glittering gold filled the air, and the team trotted out like prancing ponies with fresh ribbons.

They were wrapped in purple fabric with gold accents and flowing capes.

As they came out of the portal, for a moment, their uniforms flashed an illusion of heavy armor before returning to the mesh fabric.

Their cleats beat the turf and sent the crowds wild.

And Cassiopeia captured all of it. Her heart slammed against the cage of her ribs seeing Elliot wave to the crowd. Shimmering horns, massive golden bullring, hooves, everything; he was spectacular. When his gaze fell to her, her stomach clenched up.

I love how pretty he is.

Cassiopeia's mouth ran dry as she snapped another picture of him.

I love his goofy smile.

He struck a pose just for her before striking it to the arena.

I love the way he is so flawlessly himself.

Elliot Bonesaw bellowed, " Who's city is this? "

A sea of people screamed back, " King's Fall! "

"And who protects King's Fall?" His voice boomed, as if transported by magic, an entire arena heard his call.

" King's Fall Knights!" It was so loud, she couldn't hear the rapid thump of her heart against her throat.

I love him…damn it…I love him so much.

Cassiopeia didn't want to handle the feeling.

Using the lens to cover up her teary eyes as Elliot flounced across the field to shake the hand of the other captain.

She was in love with him. Not that there was anything wrong with that.

But she couldn't help… Cass glanced down to Lyra stood at the side of the bench, watching the field with a wicked curl on her lips.

No…you're not allowed…not this one…I love him too much.

And that horrible, disgusting, gnawing insecurity was back with a vengeance.

" The score is eight to eight, we're in a deadlocked tie with ten minutes left on the clock! Can our Knight's protect King's Falls honor, or will the titillating Titans from Tritus take the first win of the season?"