(40) Cannonball

Not only is this chapter forty but we also crossed over into 100 votes and 1000 reads!!

Thank y'all so much from the bottom of my heart. This chapter is dedicated to all of my voters who consistently read and vote! You guys make my heart so happy!!

Here's to a few readers who have voted for me since the beginning:

IcecysxEshanae

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Happy reading!

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"Just get naked."

Makennah curled up into a ball on the kitchen counter. "No!"

"I'll get naked too if it will make you feel better."

Makennah burrowed her head into her arms. "I'm not taking my clothes off."

"Just do it like really fast. It will be like it's not even happening."

Because of the ridiculousness of the conversation, Makennah couldn't hold in her laughter. She almost fell off the counter but Theo stabilized with both hands on her arms. "I'm not getting naked. And I'm not getting in the hot tub. You, however, are more than welcome and I'll just sit on the edge and put my feet in."

Complaining of sore muscles, Theo rubbed his shoulder again. During the game, he took a hard tackle and landed awkwardly on his side. Everything was fine but he was a little sore. His muscles were tense and tired, so he wanted to relax in the hot tub. "It will help me unwind if you're naked."

Makennah glared at him. "You're not undressing me, Theo."

Sighing heavily like all of the weight of the world rested on his shoulders, he marched out of the kitchen, expecting her to follow. "I accept defeat today, but not ever again....you hear me?"

She hopped off the counter and trailed after him to the back patio where the hut tub was bubbling and steaming under the midnight moon. "Is this in reference to any battle or just getting me naked?"

Theo tossed her a grin over his shoulder and yanked his long sleeve Dallas Cowboys t-shirt over his head, dismissing it on the cool patio deck. "Getting you naked."

"It will take a little more than sweet talking," She wagered. It wasn't a thought she lingered on often for pure self-preservation, but if Theo actually came after her with the intention of getting her clothes off, she didn't think she would last very long.

Admiring his back muscles while he climbed over the side of the massive hot tub and sank below the water, Theo positioned himself in a corner and relaxed in the steaming water. The lights underneath the surface periodically changed color. "Alright, What will it take?" He asked seriously.

Scooting over the time of the hot tub, Makennah dipped her toes into the water to adjust to the temperature before settling her legs in. Before she got settled, Theo patted the space beside him, gesturing her for to move closer. "You're resourceful. You'll figure it out," she said light heartedly. She couldn't seriously have this conversation when the rest of the gang was due to arrive any minute.

"Ahhh the ever allusive female response." Theo jokingly rolled his eyes.

Makennah scooted closer until they were almost touching. Theo took that as his play now and he slithered his hand under the water to touch her foot and move it into his lap. Her foot lightly rested on top of his thigh, concealed from view. "Nooo don't play that game. I'm not being allusive. I'm just making you work for it."

Theo smirked. "Fine then I'm making you work for it."

"You're half naked right now." She blinked once. "And you slept in your boxers after the party. Was that making me...work for it?"

Theo squeezed her foot and she yanked away because it was a little ticklish. "Shut up."

She kicked him and edged away. "I'm just saying!" She threw her hands up in innocence.

"Okay no one told me it was a hot tub party! I didn't bring my bikini!" Meredith crossed her arms over her chest and leaned her shoulder against the door as she held it open with her foot. Nick came to stand behind her and leaned over her shoulder to glance outside at them.

"Hot tub? I didn't bring my trunks."

"Extras in my room." Theo pointed upstairs, motioning for Nick to find them himself. "Second drawer. There's a blue pair."

"Nice." Nick dipped out and slithered upstairs to find the suit.

Meredith found her way outside. "So Miss Steal the Show, how do you feel?"

Makennah rolled her eyes. Since the end of the game that they won of course, Carolynn and Will took her home to unfreeze. She was practically an ice cube. Not just from the weather, but also all of the icy cold glares she received from Rebekah's friends. "I didn't steal the show."

Meredith scoffed. "Okay you're lying to yourself. Your super hot..." Meredith glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was there. "...boyfriend," she whispered inconspicuously. "Carried you across the field and then you dazzled the crowd with that amazing dress and then you got Rebekah Allensby, the proposed winner of the crown, disqualified from the title!"

Theo burst out laughing, hanging his arms over the side of the hot tub. He didn't say anything to dismantle her boyfriend comment.

To play it cool, she rolled her eyes. But internally, her heart soared at the idea of being Theo's girlfriend. After all, that's what he had been showing her for the last two weeks or so...how special it was to be his girl. He must have been thinking the same thing because he glanced up at Makennah and gently smiled. "First of all," she cleared her throat. "Not my boyfriend. And don't call him super hot. It goes to his head."

"Hey!" Theo loudly protested.

Meredith hopped over the side of the hot tub, rolled up her leggings after ditching her socks and shoes, and dipped her feet into the water like Makennah.

"Second, I personally did not disqualify Rebekah." BUT BOY WAS SHE HAPPY IT HAPPENED. When Rebekah was escorted off that stage by the assistant principal and Miss Talenti, Makennah almost passed out! She was pretty sure her mouth fell open and hit the floor. They were even in the middle of announcing the king and queen when it happened. They also announced to the whole stadium that someone had been disqualified and obviously everyone put the two together that it was the girl who was taken away from the competing seniors.

"Carolynn did. On your behalf. And don't play dumb. That woman is a powerhouse. She gets what she wants." Meredith flipped her hair over her shoulder and made a face like she kind of admired Carolynn for her fierceness.

"I didn't expect her to get disqualified," Makennah admitted quietly. She hadn't told Carolynn because she wanted Rebekah kicked out. She merely thought Rebekah needed a little bit of much needed retribution. She thought she might get yelled at or something.

Makennah proceeded tentatively. Theo and Makennah hadn't talked about what happened with his ex girlfriend since...well they hadn't talked at all. Theo didn't say anything even though Makennah wanted to vent about. She knew that Theo didn't like Rebekah or her friends, but did he really believe that Rebekah spilled red Powerade on her dress on purpose?

"She 100% deserved it." Cassandra click-clacked in her heels across the patio, kicking off her shoes as she walked. Her high heels clattered to the side. "I'm glad you said something. She was a terror all week...just wanted to win. I'm glad she wasn't crowned."

Her heart dropped into her stomach at the sight of Cassandra. Clothed in a beautiful silver dress with a high- low hem and a bedazzled bodice, she approached the hot tub. "Man I would totally change but this looks like a way better idea. My feet hurt so bad!" Cassandra just kept talking when no one else filled the silence.

Underneath the surface of the water, Theo wrapped his fingers around her ankle.

Makennah had no idea that Cassandra would be there. She should have guessed but she wasn't happy to see her either way. The only thing that made her feel better was the fact that Cassandra didn't win the crown either. Karma?

She also decided to focus on the fact that Nick very romantically asked Meredith to Homecoming which is why she was in attendance to their little shindig right now.

"Cannonball!" Nick shouted before hopping over the side of the hot tub and plummeting into the middle, sloshing water over the side and soaking all three of the girls.

"Nick!" Makennah screamed, standing quickly before her shorts were soaked.

"Are you serious!" Meredith screeched, flinging her arms to dispel water droplets.

"Nick, this is a nice dress!" Cassandra exited the hot tub and dragged her now soaked dress behind her into the house.

Nick found all of this particularly hilarious and burst out laughing. Theo just shook his head and smiled. He was already wet. It's not like he cared. His hair was just a little damp now. He swished his head and pushed his hair back. It was...annoyingly hot.

Why couldn't Makennah do simple things and look hot and make Theo drool over her?

Matt sauntered out into the patio after shouldering past Cassandra rather aggressively. He didn't even look at her. Makennah sensed trouble in paradise.

"What happened out here?" Matt asked, tucking his pants into his sweat's pockets.

"Cannonball," Nick stated simply.

"Into a hot tub," Makennah huffed.

Like Theo, Matt just shook his head. "Anybody want some drinks?"

"You offering up my alcohol?" Theo asked.

Matt shrugged and smiled. "Don't act like you weren't about to offer."

"I'll take a beer," Meredith said, raiding her hand.

"Times two," Nick held up two fingers to indicate he wanted one like Meredith. Speaking of, he swam over to her side and sat between her knees. Makennah's heart burst full of love. All of her hard work paid off!!

Just then, Cassandra returned in pajama shorts and a sweatshirt that looked big enough to fit Matt. Her hair was still done up in a fancy hair do but she had removed her false lashes and lipstick. "I'll take one!" She said.

Matt just nodded and retreated to the kitchen.

With Nick and Meredith hogging up a corner, Cassandra perched beside Makennah and dipped her feet back into the water. "This feels so good."

Makennah nodded. She guessed she had to be cordial for a little while. "You're telling me."

Wearing a pair of swim trunks, Matt returned with a handful of beers and a gin and tonic for Makennah. She smiled gratefully because he remembered she didn't really like beer. Weirdly, Matt sunk into the hot tub and sat opposite from Cassandra as far away as possible.

Matt, Nick, and Theo started talking about the game and things they could have done better despite their win. Cassandra and Meredith spurred on a conversation about homecoming and their dresses. Neither of them wanted to spill details about their dress, so they divulged minimal details. Makennah just relaxed and listened to everyone having a good time around her.

Cassandra was so busy talking and laughing that she didn't see her phone vibrate with a text message. Makennah glanced down because she couldn't help herself.

It was a text from Alice.

If she remembered correctly, that's the name of the person she was texting when she vaguely disappeared from Matt's house and Theo and Makennah followed her to the coach's home. Was the coach Alice?

When Makennah realized she was staring at Cassandra's phone, she glanced away quickly and caught Theo looking at her. She blinked twice rapidly. Theo just looked at her.

Since the soccer practice that Matt yelled at them, they chilled a little on stalking Cassandra. But now it was right in front of her face. It's not like she went looking for it.

As if it were a sign that she needed to investigate, Cassandra's phone lit up with a phone call. From Alice.

Finally sensing something was up, Cassandra blindly reached over and silenced the phone call. She scrolled through her phone while Makennah tried not to stare and sipped her crisp lime drink.

"Oh it's my mom," Cassandra mentioned under her breath. "Be right back." She hurried into the house and closed the door to the patio. She was dialing the phone as she walked away.

Makennah twisted her body and jumped off the edge of the hot tub. "Gotta use the restroom." Before She scurried off, Makennah made awkward eye contact with Matt. His face was stern but he looked at her like he knew. After a pause, he inconspicuously nodded his head.

As if giving her permission.

With that, she ran into the house and quietly closed the patio door after her. She sneaked into every room, searching for Cassandra. She couldn't find her though.

Thinking she must have gone upstairs, Makennah slinked around into the foyer and found Cassandra sitting on the stairs.

"I can't come right now. I'm at Theo's with Matt and some friends."

Makennah dove behind the stairwell that led to an office and pressed her back to the wall. Cassandra must not have heard her quiet footsteps.

"Yeah I know..." she laughed a little. Flirtatiously she might even say. "Well it's homecoming. We knew it would be busy."

Makennah covered her mouth with her hand. She wasn't expecting to say anything or gasp suddenly, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

"Maybe I can come over Sunday. If Matt doesn't ask me to hang out."

It took everything inside Makennah not to jump out and strangle Cassandra.

"I know...I miss you too. It's been awhile." She laughed. "No, don't say that."

Okay that definitely wasn't her mom. It couldn't even be her dad. Her parents were still married...not divorced...no reason she would be missing her father then.

"Listen I gotta go. Don't text me anymore. I don't want anyone to see." She paused. "No I can't put it in do not disturb because that looks suspicious is Matt sees my text messages." She sighed. "We've talked about this before. This is the safest bet."

The final nail in her coffin was when Cassandra ended the phone call with, "I love you too. Goodnight."

Makennah's mouth really did fall open then. Cassandra loved the coach?!

Makennah molded herself into the corner and hid in the shadows while Cassandra hung up the phone and returned to the party outside. Her heart pounded so fast that she didn't want to move. Didn't want to breathe. Didn't want to do anything.

This news broke her heart for Matt. Makennah didn't have a single doubt in her mind that she was talking to him, the coach.

"Mack?"

At the sound of someone's voice, Makennah peeked our of the shadows. She found Matt standing in the hallways searching around for her. She swallowed roughly. Was she going to tell him?

"What happened?" He asked.

Makennah shook her head.

Matt stood his ground. "Tell me. What did you hear?"

Biting her lip, Makennah decided that it was up to Matt to do whatever he wanted with this information. It wasn't right for her to hold back this secret. "She said...she said she hoped to see someone soon. That she missed them. And that she loved them."

From the deepest depths of his soul, Matt sighed and hung his head. Makennah wondered if he was finally starting to believe her.

"I'm just gonna go home. Will you have Meredith or someone drive you home?" Matt asked quietly.

"Matt," she said quietly, hoping he would look at her.

When he lifted his head, Makennah opened her arms and hugged him. She broke down all of her walls that told her to keep her foster family away from her and wrapped her arms around her brother. Matt never hugged her back, but her heart knew that it wasn't because he didn't like Makennah. It's because he was trying to keep himself together.

Makennah drew away and tucked a hair behind her ear. "I'll get a ride home. And cover for you. No problem."

"Thanks, sis."

"Be safe," she said quietly before he collected his keys and walked out the front door.

Makennah rejoined the party and entertained thoughts of drowning Cassandra in the hot tub.

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Poor Matt :(

Xoxo

W. Carolina