Taming the Beast

(Caroline's POV)

I reached up and spiked the ball over the net. The other team scrambled but they just couldn't return it. The sound of skin skidding on polished wood floor stung my ears. Personally, I hated the sound, but it came with the territory of being a volleyball player. The ball hit the floor and the whistle blew. I smiled as I jogged over to my other teammates, giving them high-fives. I hugged Stacy and Mariana at the same time; our little group hug taking place in the middle of our side of the court. We'd just won the game. I smiled as I let go. Stacy's eyes flickered over to the bleachers before a suspicious smirk appeared on her face.

"I think cafeteria boy is keeping tabs on you," she said. I glance over to see Keegan with a group of boys that were well-known around the school. Of course he would be in with the popular crowd his second day here. I saw that coming a mile away. He was sitting with Gregg, Trevor, Asher, and Nick, and he seemed to be the leader of them.

Unbelievable.

Unbe-freaking-lievable.

Gregg was a firecracker. He was wild and unpredictable; also a bit of a prankster. Trevor was actually kind of shy and sweet, but he would still make trouble with the boys. Asher was the obnoxious one. Out of everyone, you would always be able to hear him when he talked. He was always so damn loud. And Nick was the pervert; point blank. The boys around him were being rowdy, but Keegan was as calm as a cucumber, and his eyes were trained on me. He gives a small smile which I return before turning back to my girls.

"You're being ridiculous," I roll my eyes at her. Mariana and Stacy went to go talk to their families and I walk towards the bleachers as my eyes scan the bleachers for Danny and Preston.

"Good game," a deep, familiar voice said from behind me. I turn on my heels quickly to face Keegan. He's smirking at me slightly as his eyes take in my attire openly. I cross my arms over my chest and shift my weight to my right foot.

"So, what, you're stalking me now?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. He chuckles before he jabs his thumb back in the direction of his rowdy friends.

"They wanted to watch the volleyball team because of the shorts and dragged me along with them," he explained easily. My face turned red as I looked away from him. I felt like an idiot.

"Keegan! Baby, over here," a teammate of mine yelled across the gym. I mentally flinched. I don't know why a pang of jealousy ran through me, but I couldn't control it. I raised my eyebrows at him and put my hands on my hips; trying to keep cool.

"Someone's popular," I said, my voice filled with amusement. His cheeks blushed ever so slightly through his golden skin as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. I would've addressed it, but right then, my favorite three year-old was running up to me.

"Ninny!" he screamed. I couldn't help the big smile that spread across my face as I squat to meet him despite my thighs aching from the game we just won. He jumped into my arms and I stood with him, grunting as I did so.

"There's my big boy. I think you're starting to get too old for this," I said teasingly before I kissed his cheek. He giggled before he hid his face in my neck. I turned my eyes back to Keegan's shocked and almost hurt expression. I shook it off before I moved Preston to my hip and rocked him gently. "Keegan, this is Preston. Preston, do you want to say hi to Keegan?" I asked, my tone getting softer and gentler when addressing Preston. Preston hid his face in my neck as his tiny hands gripped around my neck. I chuckled and looked at Keegan again. He was just staring kind of shocked.

"He's really beautiful," Keegan said a little wistfully. I saw Danny near the exit, waving towards me and a smile spread across my face.

"Hey, I have to go, but I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow," I said, flashing Keegan a quick smile. I walked over to where Danny was waiting for me. He smiled and slung an arm over my shoulder before he kissed the side of my head.

"Okay, you were right. Bringing Preston to the game was a great idea. He loved it, and he actually sat still for once.... And you were awesome," Danny chuckled. I smiled and used my free hand to push him away from me gently before replacing it back under Preston's leg.

"I told you," I smiled triumphantly. I buckled Preston into his seat before I slid in the passenger side. Danny got in and started the car. Once we were on the main road, his glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road.

"So who was that guy you were talking to?" he asked curiously. I smiled lightly as I shook my head. No way in hell was I ever talking about boys with my brother. Not even if hell froze over. That was just something that was off limits to him, even if he was like my stand-in father/guardian. Plus, my brother was a cop. Mixing overprotective, cop-brother with boy drama was never a good idea.☐☐☐¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶