Page 42 of The Quarterback Sneak

He pulls me closer to his side as we walk down the hall with all the eyes still on us. “Because I’m not as stupid as Jamie. I’ve got the smartest, hottest girl in school. I’m not getting rid of her that easily.” He says it with such sincerity it makes me swoon. I have to remind myself it’s all just words and he’s trying to be nice. “So, how are you going to break up with me?”

“I’ll have to think about it.” I purse my lips, hiding my smile, before spotting Olivia and Mike over Zach’s shoulder. Tipping on my toes, I wave. “Livi, Mike.”

Zach slowly turns to see our friends walking over, and while Zach gives Mike a bro hug, I clutch my friend tight. “Hey, Honey. What are you so happy about?”

“Happy?” I pull away and quirk a brow. She just grins back.

“Yeah, it’s the first time since you broke up with Jamie I’ve seen a genuine smile on your face. Normally, we’ve been getting the plastic, fake one you save for your mom.”

I try to taper my lips and look at Zach through the corner of my eye. Thankfully, he’s too engrossed with his conversation with Mike to notice ours.

“No reason,” I say with a shrug and link my arm with hers. “Come on, we’ll be late for class if we don’t go soon.”

Thankfully, that got her off my back. Happiness is not an emotion I expected to feel after Zach brushed me off so easily, but somehow he got my mind off that completely.

My salad container cracks under my fingers as I walk outside, ready to have a peaceful lunch. I always hated sitting inside with all the gossip, but that’s where Jamie was, so I would tag along like a faithful Labrador.

The air has more of a chill since it’s mid-November, but with my jacket on, it’s warm enough to be comfortable.

“Honey.” I stop in my tracks at the sound of my name. That chill in the air is getting colder, and I would ignore him, but the loud clunking of his shoes suggests he’s close.

By the time I glance over my shoulder, Jamie is at my side with an easy smile. “Just the girl I’ve been looking for.” His arm rests on my shoulder as though we’re friends. My face registers no emotion because I’m too surprised at how he’s acting. Didn’t he learn from last time? “We need to talk.” His voice is smooth and confident, like a warm knife through butter.

Scrunching my nose, I pick up his hand and toss it behind me. “I’m good.” I walk past him, heading for the lunch area because I don’t want to be seen with him. Not after the embarrassment he’s caused me.

Jamie’s hand catches mine, stopping me in my tracks, and he tips his chin, giving me a serious look. “No, Honey. You don’t get it. I reallyreallyneed to talk to you.”

“If this is about Zach again, I’m not interested.” I can tell he’s surprised by my reaction. He’s not used to me being so up-front.

He shifts from one foot to the other and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Look, I get it. You don’t want to talk to me, but I’m only looking out for you.” Snorting, I cross my arms, staring at his smug face.

“Stop right now, Jamie. You don’t care about me. You never did.” He opens his mouth, but I lift my hand, stopping him. “Save it.”

Turning on my heel, I walk back to the school cafeteria because this conversation has put me off my lunch. “You can walk away, but all I wanted to do was save you from being monumentally embarrassed again.”

I crush the plastic container in my hand, pouring out my rage into that instead of at Jamie. That’s what he wants. Breaking up Zach and me would mean he’d win the bet, and I would rather die than let that happen.

“Zach’s not good for you.” It’s only when Jamie stands next to me I realize I’m so angry I’ve stopped walking. He stares at me with sympathy, and suddenly I have the urge to throw my salad in his face.

“Why do you care so much?” I don’t know why I ask. I should walk away, but I guess I want to give Jamie another chance to be a decent human being and tell me about the bet.

He takes my hand and rubs his thumb across the back. It’s the same thing he used to do when we were little and I was scared. I hate that it still offers me a little comfort.

“You know why, Honey.” He squeezes my hand, and his eyes plead with mine, but I’m not entirely sure the emotion he’s trying to portray. Regret? Longing? Disappointment? Either way, I know it’s not real. “What’s the plan for your birthday?”

Furrowing my brows, I step back. “None of your business.” In all honesty, I’d almost forgotten that milestone because I’ve been so busy thinking about other things. Zach being at the center of most of them. I’ve never liked my birthday muchanyway since my parents use it as an excuse to throw some fancy dinner for all their friends and investors. I always just end up at the side with Jamie, pretending to look like I’m enjoying myself.

Frowning, it hits me. Jamie won’t be there for me this time. I’ll be standing on my own with that fake, plastic smile plastered across my face, dodging every awkward question about the boy who’s been by my side since I was born.

“Your parents are going to throw another business dinner.” He cracks a smile when he sees the surprise on my face. He knows, he’s probably been invited, and now I don’t know what’s worse. Spending time with or without him. “You know, I always had this plan on your eighteenth.” He swipes his thumb across his chin, watching me intently. “Thought about everything I’d do to you when we were alone.”

I gulp, hating his proximity. “You know, I’d been holding back on doing some things because I wanted to wait and make it special for you.” Shaking my head, I walk away because I don’t need to listen to this.

“Leave me alone, Jamie.”

“I was planning on eating you out.” I nearly choke on my own spit and look around, making sure no one heard him say that.

That’s got to be a joke, right?

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