Page 80 of The Quarterback Sneak

Studying Jamie’s face, I wait for it to crack. He’s only fucking with my brain because he knows he can, right?Right?!

He raises his brows. “He really told you that’s his sister? And you didn’t bother checking with Mike?” He shakes his head, blowing out a breath. “Man, you’re even more gullible than I realized. But then again, Zach is desperate for money, and he stands to make a lot of it with you.”

“What are you talking about?” Tears brim my eyes as the reality of the situation settles in.

“You’re a bet, Honey.” His tone is harsh. “That’s all you ever were to him. A way to make cash for his family. He saw you as nothing more than a means to an end.” I know this; it’s what we originally agreed on. But why does it sound so much worse whenJamie says it? “Must suck to find out that you’re essentially a glorified hooker.”

My arm moves without thinking, and I slap him across the face. “No.” It’s all I say. I don’t care if he’s right; I will not be belittled and ridiculed by him again.

He rubs his cheek, laughing at me. “Wow, you’ve really got it bad for him, haven’t you? And to think this whole time you’ve been trying to frame me as the villain because I made one tiny mistake with McKenna. Yet, here’s your newest boyfriend completely lying to you about his family back home, and he’s still prince charming.”

“Shut up, Jamie.” I push past him and start to walk away.

“He’s a dad, Honey, and you’re just a bet.”

That makes my feet stop, along with my heart.

“That’s why he’s so invested in making it work with you. He’s desperate to prove that I can’t have you.”

Seemingly a glutton for punishment, I turn. “What are you talking about?”

“Think about it, Honey. You’re smarter than your looks would make people believe. You’re a bet, he’s a dad, and his sister—a sister he doesn’t have—cried seeing you together?” I frown, moving away from him. “All the evidence screams baby mama if you ask me.”

Shaking my head, I run toward the parking lot without glancing back. He’s trying to get in my head. He wants to win a bet and doesn’t care about the fallout or how it will affect me. Zach and I need to have a conversation, but he’d tell me if he were a dad. There’s no question in my mind… Until there is.

Shaking my head, I pull out my phone to see if Zach’s messaged. A blank screen greets me, and it feels almost as bad as the lump forming in my throat.

I need to speak to Zach. It’s the only way we’ll clear this up.

Zach:Can we talk?

I write it out for what feels like one hundred times, losing my nerve for ninety-nine of those until I finally press send. He’s not my boyfriend, and we agreed that we shouldn’t get our families involved, but after everything, I thought that had changed. I thoughtwehad changed. After fooling around, I thought we had an unspoken connection. Something more than I ever felt with Jamie.

I drop my head to the pink metal of my car and close my eyes. There’s a prickling sensation across my face, and I have to stop myself from crying. Have I been fooled again? Was Jamie right about me? Why am I so upset?

Zach told me it was his sister, and I believed him. Why wouldn’t I? He’s been nothing but honest with me since the start. Nothing about tonight should make me think differently. I just wish I didn’t have this gnawing, unsettling feeling in my stomach like I’ve been betrayed.

People filter into the parking lot, so I jump into my car, not wanting anyone to see me in such a sorry state.

I’ll talk to Zach and get to the bottom of all this. Until then, I need to leave and compose myself.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Honey

Unknown:This couldn’t keep happening to a better bitch than you.

After shoving my phone into the center console of my car, I slam it shut and force a fake smile on my face. I will not let these idiots get the better of me again. Today is a different day. I am a different person from the first time a video embarrassing me went viral, and I will walk in there with my metaphorical middle finger high in the air.

With my chin held high, I step out of the car with an extra pep in my step. Olivia spots me immediately and throws me an apologetic smile. “Hey,” she says hesitantly. She’s the only person who knows that not having seen or heard from Zach in the five days since the game has broken me, and I’d like to keep it that way. “How are you holding up after the incident.”

Wrapping my arm around hers, I walk into school, ignoring the whispers.

“Which one? Zach’s absence or the newest viral video currently making the rounds?” As if by another cruel twist of fate, a video of Zach arguing with Tiff that night has ended up on social media. Apparently, hearing it in person wasn’t enough; I’ve now had it sent to me at least 150 times since it was uploaded.

Jamie’s wide grin and intrusive glare follow me down the hall, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of looking his way. I’m certain he’s the reason for the video in the first place.

“This whole thing sucks.” Olivia’s voice drowns out the noise, and I swallow back a big ball of resentment.

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