Page 29 of Look What You Made Me Do

“Hungover. Not dead.”

Ella felt a funny pull down low. What was she supposed to say to that? Thankfully, she didn’t need to say anything as an excited squeal came from behind.

“Jake! Jake!”

Ella turned surprised to find fifteen-year-old Miranda Jones hurling herself at Jake, clinging to his neck and jumping up and down, chattering excitedly about the team and the comp.

She’d taught Miranda math in eighth grade. She was a nice kid, well brought up, smart and motivated. Not really the football groupie type.

Ella frowned as the hug continued. Clearly, they knew each other, but it was hardly appropriate behavior for a schoolgirl with an adult male and she was annoyed that Jake didn’t seem to get that. Although to give him his due, he did seem to be trying to settle her, if only to stop the incessant squealing that must be playing havoc with his headache.

Uncharitably, Ella hoped the noise was a particularly virulent form of torture.

“That’s enough, Miranda.”

A familiar woman, blonde and petite and about Ella’s age approached and Ella searched her memory banks to place her.

Trish Jones, Miranda’s mother.

The similarities between the two were amazing. Miranda was a tiny blonde, like her mother. Cute as a button with a perky smile and a personality to match.

“Hey, Jake.”

Jake set aside Miranda more than a little gratefully, Ella thought, as he wrapped Trish up in a hug.

“Oh God, Jake.” Trish pulled away, clearly alarmed. “You stink. Are you hungover?”

“Mom!”

Ella laughed at the look of horror on the teenager’s face as the other woman turned and said, “Hi. Trish Jones.” She held out her hand. “I think we’ve met once before.”

Miranda’s mother had an easy smile and an open, friendly face. “Yes, we have.” Ella shook the proffered hand. “At a parent–teacher night. Ella Lucas.”

“Don’t mind Miranda. Jake and I go way back – she’s known him since she was born. She was so excited when she called me earlier to tell me she had to come back to school straight after her dentist’s appointment to watch Cameron try out and that Jake was going to be here.”

Cameron? Ella blinked. Her Cameron? Could this be the Miri from the phone the other night? Mature, articulate, Miranda Jones? The straight-A student?

Ella didn’t get a chance to process the information before Jake butted in. “This is Deluca High?”

“Yes…” Ella frowned. “I assumed you knew. You got here, didn’t you?”

But he didn’t get a chance to answer. “This is a great thing you’re doing, Jake,” Trish said. “Really amazing. Haven’t I been saying you should coach?”

Rather than intrude on a private conversation, Ella forced herself to concentrate on Pete putting the students through their paces. Searching for Cam, she prayed he wasn’t among the boys who had already fallen by the wayside. He was beefy, all muscle, built like a tank. Built for endurance, not speed.

But, thankfully, he hadn’t faltered.

Trish laughed and Ella’s attention was drawn back to her and Jake. What exactly was their relationship? Trish had said they went way back and their familiarity was palpable.

Had they been lovers? Were they still?

And why did that make the sad, lonely, Trently girl that still existed deep down inside, want to curl up in a ball and cry?

7

The following Monday there was a knock on Ella’s door after lunch. “Come in.”

Holding up her hand, she quickly finished the paragraph she was reading then looked up. Her smile faltered as she saw her brother standing in the doorway.

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