Page 50 of Offside Attraction

The shed.

The beating.

The lie.

A memory that never really leaves—no matter how hard I try to bury it.

Ezra thinks I’m gay, and he’s trying to out me.

Not that I’m ashamed of being bisexual—but listening to Ezra run his mouth about my business? That’s something I won’t tolerate.

“What? You don’t like brunettes?” Peach asks, running her fingers through her hair as she looks at me.

Ezra laughs. “Nah, Peach. He’s—”

“Seriously, shut the fuck up, Ezra.” Hayes snaps, cutting him off so sharply the room goes quiet.

Everyone freezes.

Including me.

Hayes glares at his childhood friend like he’s one second away from throttling him. “You don’t know when to shut up, do you?”

Ezra stares back, stunned. “What the hell, man?”

“I don’t need you speaking for me,” I snap, turning on Hayes. “I can handle myself.”

Hayes scoffs, finally looking at me. “Ungrateful little Dakota,” he sneers, his eyes dark.

“Oh yeah?” I fire back. “Maybe I wouldn’t be if I didn’t have to deal with your ego every five seconds.”

Hayes chuckles, slow and cruel, flashing those perfect white teeth. “It’s not my fault you’re fucking pathetic. Can’t help it if you’re just… you.” He looks at me like I disgust him.

Lance shifts uncomfortably. “Guys, come on. It’s a party. Let’s chill.”

“Yeah, Dakota,” Tripp adds, his voice tight. “Let it go.”

Hayes smirks. “Listen to your lap dog.”

Tripp stiffens. “What the fuck is your problem, man?”

“Yeah, Hayes,” Pete jumps in. “What’s going on?”

“We’re supposed to be bonding,” Lance says.

I let out a short laugh. “Right. Let’s ignore the fact that Hayes thinks he owns the place.”

The glare he shoots me could draw blood.

“Maybe if you weren’t so insecure,” Hayes says lazily, leaning back against the couch, “you wouldn’t try so hard to get attention.”

Heat floods my face—anger, humiliation, something else I refuse to name.

“Real mature, Hayes” I say flatly. “Real fucking mature.”

He tilts his head, eyes gleaming. “What? Got a taste of your own medicine and didn’t like it?”

I bite back the comeback that would shatter his ego completely.