Pushing Limits (Fighting Love #1) - kali cross Page 0,72
courts were my sanctuary. It was only me against another player. I had only myself to rely on, win or lose. It helped that this was a sport my mother respected. It was acceptable in “our set.” Things were that much sweeter when I turned fourteen and started to kick her ass on the court. It started slow, winning a few matches here and there. She would act flippant about it as if it didn’t matter to her. But by the time I turned seventeen, she couldn’t beat me, and it pissed her off to no end. Hmm, that was a good summer.
As I start my long trek up to the courts on campus, I’m content to merely enjoy the walk. The sun is out, and a nice breeze is blowing. Massive old oak trees line the street surrounded by sweeping green lawns. As I walk down Speedway, nearing 26th street, I stop, staring.
A billboard announces:
Catherine A. Turner Hall
Government Policy Facility
Coming Soon
Looking at the sign, I stand dumbfounded. Typical. Leave it to my mother to name a building after herself. Not my grandmother or something ambiguous like Turner Hall. No, she has to have her full name on a facility in keeping with her political aspirations. I pull my phone and text my mother and aunt a picture:
The rumor is you bought my way in here.
If anyone ever doubted it, now there’s indisputable proof.
Thanks.
My phone rings and “Aunt Patty” appears on the display.
“Amber, honey, are you ok?” Her voice sounds concerned. Of course she is, she knows my mother and her constant need to promote herself.
“Yeah, despite all the people whispering about me and chewing me out to my face, everything’s peachy,” I say, in an exaggerated happy tone.
“I can’t believe she did this. First she hauls you off to school almost overnight and this? I’ll call her and get to the bottom of this. Maybe we can get the sign taken down or something.”
“I doubt that will help. Why did she have to do this? Everything is going really well. I have a cool roommate, and I’ve actually made some friends. I’ve only gotten some papers back, but so far they were all A’s and B’s. Why does she keep fucking with me?”
“I don’t know, honey. That’s great about the grades. Are you still seeing someone?”
Huh, she’s careful not to press to hard. Interesting turn of events.
“Yeah.” I stare at the ground.
“Is it going well?”
I can’t keep the smile off my lips. I whisper, “Yeah, it is.”
“Oh, honey, that’s great. Look, let me call your mom, so I can find out about this. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Bye.” I finish the walk to the courts. Pissed and sad that once again my mother has ruined a good thing.
Coach pairs us off for doubles and my partner is especially curt for a morning match. Every foul is barked while she looks down her nose at me. She levels shots at my head and body whenever the opportunity presents itself. She’s determined to put as much force behind the ball as possible. When we meet at the net to shake hands, she sneers, “Spoiled Princess” as she walks away with her friends from class.
As I walk back to the dorm to grab a shower, I notice more stares and people whispering. I unlock the door and shuffle inside, and I hear the shower going. Sally must be back.
I knock on the door, “Sally, I need to take a shower. I have a class in an hour.”
“You could always join me.” Her sultry voice echoes against the bathroom walls.
“Not happening, Westin.”
“Yeah, we’ll see about that.” She yells. The door opens, and Sally comes out with only a towel in her hair and nothing covering her below. “Hey.”
“Don’t tell me you are actually going to class?” My brows rise as my eyes widen a fraction.
“Yeah, I have a test.”
“Did you study?” I smirk. I rarely see Sally crack a book.
“Not really, well kinda. It’s hard to explain, I’ve never had to study much. I just retain information. What can I say? I have a photographic memory.”
“Right. Don’t you mean a pornographic memory?”
“Well yeah, that, too,” she says. “I actually do. Come and sit down, I have something I need to talk to you about.” Changing the subject, she sits and pats the seat next to her on her bed.
I laugh shaking my head, “Ain’t happenin’ Westin.”