Page 57 of The Quarterback Sneak

“All the Jamie bullshit and stuff at home, but it’s nothing that will affect my ability to complete this bet.”

I press my lips into a flat smile. The bet. That’s all this is about. He wants to make sure he hasn’t lost his moneymaker, and I can’t blame him. I just wish it didn’t feel like a shot through the heart because, yet again, I’m somebody’s meal ticket.

“Or being your escort for the debutante ball… if you’ll let me?” he asks.

“You want to go?”

“For you. Yes.” Short and simple, but those three words make my heart skip. “Make sure you wear green. You’ll look hot.” My mouth cracks into a grin.

“How much do you know about debutante balls?”

“Honey, I’m an out-of-town jock. How much doyouthink I know?”

“I have to wear white.”

He hums, and the noise reverberates through the car, into my body, and straight down to my panties. “Green or white, you’ll still look delicious.”

Heat rises to my cheeks, and I’m glad I’m alone out here so no one can see my reaction. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do. I don’t lie to you, Butterball. That was the first thing I promised you, and I haven’t since. It’s not your fault you were stuck with a guy unable to see your worth before. But you were right earlier. When you said, you want someone that looks at you like you stuck the stars in the sky, or some shit like that. You deserve that. You will get that, I promise.”

More and more, I want him to be the one to keep that specific promise. Zach with the bad-boy image but with a heart of gold.

I want him.

I jolt when loud banging fills the car. “Crap,” Zach mutters.

“ZaZa.” It’s a faint and muffled voice, but there’s no denying it’s the voice of a baby.

“Sorry, that’s my cousin. I’ve got to go. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow, Dream Girl.”

He ends the call before I have the opportunity to answer.

Dream Girl?I wish. I also wish speaking to him didn’t give me this intense need to speak to him more. His words make me feel special for something other than being a Sanderson. His hands make me feel electrified. Like a moth to a flame, I keep begging for more, despite knowing I’ll get burned.

I want more of him so I can explore these feelings, but I can’t exactly come out and tell him that.

Closing my eyes, I think about Zach and how his words make my heart skip a beat. The sweet nothings he whispers down thehall while his hands protectively hold me drift into my mind. But then, something more sinister takes over. A sensual reminder of when Zach’s hand was creeping up my dress when no one was watching.

My core burned. My body ached.

Swallowing, I shiver when that same feeling returns just thinking about it. God, do I want to feel that way again. It’s just that I have no idea how to get back in that place with him without openly admitting my feelings may have changed. The harsh blow of rejection and a heavy dose of realization stop me from doing that. Zach has made it clear that he views South Point like a living hell, and I’ve no doubts he won’t stick around longer than he has to, but maybe that suits me.

It’s not like I’m looking for something serious. I just want to explore these feelings without guilt while I figure them out. I just don’t know how.

As I take a long breath in, a thought comes to me, and I jerk my eyes open with a smile. I’ve got it. I’ve figured out a way to get what I want without telling Zach about my growing feelings or screwing up what we already have.

Zach’s not the only one who can change the agreement’s rules.

I can too.

Chapter Eighteen

Zach

Honey’s skirt sways as she shuts her locker. I know without needing to look that all the guys are watching. Ever since Jamie embarrassed her and she started fake dating me, she’s had this newfound confidence in herself. I like it, and I’m not the only one.

That’s why I find myself flirting with the inappropriate when it comes to her. Yesterday, when she drove me home, I skirted way too close to the truth, and she called me out on it. Stupidly, I reacted and took our phone conversation too far. I flirted with her, knowing Ella and Tiff were on the other side of the door. That was when reality and guilt settled in. My life is with them, not with Honey, and as much as I’d like to think this mindless flirting doesn’t affect me, it does.

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