His lips break into a smile as soon as our eyes lock. I feel my heartbeat start to slow to a steady pace, my entire body relaxing with just his smile.

His eyes are on me, but his words are for Casey. “She told me every detail. I knew everything. She loves me; she used you.”

I see Casey flinch from those words and then his fist slams into Todd’s jaw.

“Damn!” Todd shouts, his hand flying to his face, and then he shakes his head as if he’s shaking off the impact.

Not again. He can’t get into any more trouble.

Then, out of nowhere, Ryan nails Casey hard with a right hook to the center of his face.

“You just don’t know when to stop, do you?” Ryan shouts to Casey who is now on the ground.

That one hit from Ryan is like an invitation for everyone on the field to jump in. Mud and fists start flying everywhere, and I lose sight of Todd and Ryan.

Brian comes running up to us. “Get out of here. Go wait by the cars.”

“I’m not leaving.” I press my feet deeper into the soft, muddy ground.

“Ashley, do you really think they would want you to get hurt? Go. It’s getting ugly.”

“You need to stop them, Brian,” Blythe says, locking her fingers with his.

Brian glances back at the muddy brawl where the lighthearted game has turned into a bloody battle. Then he turns back to us with a smile as he raises his eyebrows. “Oh, I will.” Brian lives for stuff like this. “Shane, get the girls out of here, wait in my car. Blythe, you have the keys, right?”

She nods and then leans in to kiss him. “Be careful.”

“Always,” he says with a wicked smile before his hand breaks away from hers, and he runs back into the mayhem.

RYAN

What the hell am I doing? How did we get into this? It was supposed to be a fun pickup game to distract Todd. I blame Ashley; somehow, it always comes back to my sister.

Brian breaks through the crowd, running toward me.

“Where are the girls?” I shout to him as we both duck to avoid the swinging fists flying in our direction.

“Shane is taking them to my car.”

“Thanks,” I say then turn to slam my fist into someone who was about to attack from behind. I say a silent thank you for my quick reflexes then spin to miss another hit and find myself right in front of Todd. “So, this is fun,” I shout over to him.

“Yeah, a blast,” he says as his fist connects with someone from Ridgewood. “I hear it’s good to find an outlet for your anger. We should do this more often.” He hits the same kid again.

I shake my head and laugh as I avoid another hit. Then my eyes land on Brian who is pummeling someone else from Ridgewood. I quickly glance over to where I know Gretchen was standing a few minutes ago. It’s empty.

Out of nowhere, a fist connects with my jaw. Damn, pay attention, or you’re going to get yourself killed. Ridgewood kids may be rich, but they can fight. I know all of my boys can hold their own, so I’m not too concerned about them.

Gretch is fine. Just fight, dumbass.

I turn and clock the same asshole who just nailed me. Seeing him fall to the ground floods me with satisfaction. I don’t even know this kid, but I’m glad I nailed him.

“Ry, behind you,” Todd yells over, so I swing as I turn and clock someone else hard. Then my eyes focus on who it is.

Fuuuuuck.

“Oh, man.” Todd is frozen. “I was trying to give you a heads up.”

“Shit. Dad?”

“Nice language, son,” he scolds as he rubs his jaw. “And nice right hook.”

“Dad, what are you doing here?” I glance around, seeing the fight seems to be fizzling. Most of Ridgewood is on the ground or surrendering; however, there are still a few fists flying, mostly from my friends who are diehards.

“We should move.” I guide my dad out of harm’s way. He’s still rubbing his jaw, and I know I’m screwed.

Todd starts to follow, but I shake my head for him to stay back. I don’t think my dad saw or heard him, and it’s probably best if it stays that way.

“Sorry about your jaw, Dad.”

He cocks his head with raised eyebrows while his hand still cradles his face. I know this look. He is not happy. It’s rare that he’s speechless, and it’s never good.

“What are you doing here? Is Mom okay?”

His look softens at my concern. “Yeah, she’s fine. It’s eleven o’clock; Ashley was supposed to be home an hour ago, and then I got a call telling me I could find her here with Todd.”

Fucking Casey. But how did he have time?

“Who called?” I ask.

“It was a girl. Rebecca?”

Shit. Ashley’s right; she’s had it out for her from day one. As much as I want to kill my sister for this fight, I feel the need to protect her. “Ash wasn’t with Todd; she was here with Casey.”

“Well, either way, she missed curfew by an hour.” My dad looks around at the bloody mess the field has become. “What was this about?”

Red Solo cups are littering the field; guys are sitting on the ground covered in mud; the ones still standing are helping them up; and some are roaming around aimlessly with dazed looks plastered on their faces. No one knows why we started fighting. School pride? That’s dumb. And I can’t tell my dad I kind of started it because of Ash, Todd, and Casey. I need to make it to the senior ski trip in three weeks, and if he knew the truth, he would never let me go.

When I see Todd glancing over here from across the field as he helps Adam up, I mouth, “Tell Ash to go home now,” from behind my dad.

Todd’s head nod tells me he’s on it. Ashley needs to beat my dad home for both of their sakes.

Then I turn back to my dad. “Who knows? Punches were thrown, and it got out of hand. I’m sure that’s why Ash is late and why she couldn’t call. It got a little crazy.”

“You can say that again.” My dad rubs his jaw at the reminder. “I think you dislocated it.” He sounds more impressed than angry. “Well, either way, she’s done with dating for a while. It never seems to go well. Where is Casey?”

I can actually answer this one honestly. “I don’t know.” Then, to really sweeten the deal, I add, “I’m sure he’s dropping Ash off at home right now.” Sensing his good mood, I figure now is my shot. “I wish you would lay off her, Dad. You know Todd is a good guy. I don’t get it. He practically grew up at our house.”

“I’m not getting into this with you right now, Ryan, but I hope you’re right. You’re lucky I’m going to look past this and not tell your mom what happened here tonight. I was young once, you know.” He glances around the field again, taking it all in. He gives a head nod to Johnny who walks by us, covered in mud, but other than that, he looks unscathed.

“Hi, Mr. Taylor!” Johnny belts out as if they are casually running into each other at the mall. As soon as he passes my dad, he mouths, “What the fuck?” to me with wide eyes.

I only shrug. Good question.

TODD

I need to find Ashley to get her home before her dad.

I catch a glimpse of Blythe’s red hair first. She’s sitting on the hood of Brian’s car.

My heart is racing, but as soon as my eyes land on Ashley, I feel it slow to a steady rhythm, and I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

“Ashley!” I yell out to her. The smile on her face is incredible when her eyes meet mine. She jumps off the hood of Brian’s car and starts running toward me.

“I was so worried about you,” she says breathlessly as she kisses me, pressing her body into mine. I run my hands down her back. I know I’m getting mud all over her, but neither of us really cares. I want her close, always.

“I was worried about you, too,” I tell her, sliding my hands from her jawline to her neck. Then I remember why I needed to find her, and I pull back. “You need to go. Your dad is here.”

“What?” Her eyebrows scrunch together as I see her trying to process it. “Here?” Then her confusion is replaced with concern as her fingers gently glide over my eyebrow. “You’re bleeding.”