Page 94 of The Quarterback Sneak

“Honey.” Her voice grounds me for a few seconds. “I don’t know what’s going on with you and Zach, but will you give him a chance to explain? Protecting Ella has been his number one priority since she was born, and after everything we found out recently, he’s had a lot to focus on. I know falling in love wasn’t in his plans.”

I swallow, and my head feels like it’s about to explode because there’s too much to process. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out.” Tiff tips her toes, fretting. “I just thought it was important for you to know how broken up he is about everything. About you.”

I don’t know what to say. The final whistle blows, and the crowd cheers, but I don’t know who won.

Tiff looks back to the stadium, then to me. “I’ve got to go back in there and find my daughter, but I hope you’ll let Zach explain himself. He doesn’t have many people on his side, and you seem to be one of the good ones.” She offers me a small smile, and I nod, holding back all the questions threatening to spill out of my mouth.

Tiff skips to the stadium, and I’m left watching her go with a thousand questions running through my mind.

Zach’s had so many opportunities to tell me everything, and he hasn’t. What does that say about how trusting he is of me in our relationship? He told me she was his sister. What difference would it have made if he said cousin? Why did he feel the need to extend the lie to that?

Shaking my head, I rifle through my bag, looking for my keys.

I can’t stay here. I need to leave.

Chapter Thirty

Zach

As the final whistle blows, I clench my fists and yell so loudly that my mouthguard pops out.South Point! South Point! South Point!

The crowd chants, and teammates slap my helmet in congratulations. Taking several long breaths, I close my eyes and commit this moment to memory. Turf spiking at my cleats, cold air rushing against my skin, and the crowd chanting our name because of me. This is it. This is what I live for.

We won the state championship, and even though it’s the third time, no win compares to this. The final one in my high school career and the first step for my performance at St. Michael’s.

My heart races as the adrenaline pumps through my veins. Throwing my helmet off, I look at the crowd and grin. For the first time in my career at South Point, my parents are standing front row, cheering with Ella and Tiff. I wave, offering them a smile as I celebrate with my team, but there’s one thing stopping me from being as happy as everyone else.

Honey. She’s not here, and it’s my fault. I still haven’t talked to her. I’ve been selfish. Tiff and this game have been my priority, but she’s always been on the back of my mind, and I know I need to make it up to her somehow.

As I walk past Jamie, he shunts my shoulder hard.

I plan on ignoring it, but when he pushes me from behind, I see red.

“What’s your problem?” I yell, standing nose to nose with him. Jamie doesn’t seem fazed; he stands defiantly with a horsey grin.

“There’s no problem. But I gotta know, how does being a Rent Boy feel?”

“What are you talking about?” My mind immediately races to Honey, but he doesn’t know about our deal.

“You’re only here winning because my family is paying you for the privilege. You’re nothing but a low-life kid from the wrong side of town, and I can’t wait to steal some money back from you.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?” We are drawing attention, and I have to hold back on what I really want to say.

“The bet. You’ve already lost.”

“Bet’s not over. We still have a couple weeks, and Honey’s still mine.” I say it with unwavering confidence, but inside, I’m not so sure. I assume she still wants me to take her to the debutante ball and prom, but I don’t know.

“Oh, believe me, the bet’s over. Honey’s not interested in you and your baby drama.”

“So you think that means she’d be interested in you?” I raise a curious brow, biting back the word. “Trust me, Jamie. You’ve got more chance of screwing Zendaya than Honey again.”

Without another word, I stalk away from him. I refuse to let him ruin my night. Even though my parents are too caught up in their own excitement to notice my interaction, Tiff watches beside them with a concerned brow.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.” My mom smiles and draws me into a hug. Tears pool in her eyes because she knows what this means to me. I’ve accomplished everything I wanted.

“Thanks, Mom.” I kiss her cheek, feeling whole when she hugs me. Things are coming together for our family, and knowing that we’re almost through the toughest part makes this win all the more sweet.

I glance into the celebrating crowd, hoping I’ll see Honey. No luck.

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