Page 85 of The Quarterback Sneak

And let’s just say I wasn’t ready for what she told me when we were alone in my mom’s car. I mean, how the hell was I supposed to process that hard truth from her?

Mike groans, pushing my shoulder with an eye roll. “Zach, unless you’re going to say something important. You need to shut the hell up. You know Jamie could get you expelled over that shit back there.”

“I know.”

“Then why the fuck did you do it?”

“Because it’s the least Jamie deserves.” Honestly, the least of Jamie’s issues is a bloodied nose from me, but that’s a problem we’ll need to solve later.

“We all know he deserves more of a beating than that, but that doesn’t mean you do it. The guy’s dad is a lawyer. If he decides to press charges, your grandkids will still be paying it off before retirement.”

“I know.”

“And what the hell made you think you could treat Honey like that? Don’t you think she’s been through enough public humiliation?”

My eyes snap to the school doors, but she’s not there. It’s only a crowd of students, still filming, hoping I’ll go off the rails and do something stupid for their feeds.

Nodding, I say, “You’re right.” There’s nothing else to add. She was trying to be nice, but I took out all my anger and frustration over the last week on her. “She didn’t deserve that.”

“Then why’d you do it?” Pushing my shoulders, anger flashes across his face, and now I know I have officially pissed off everyone in this school.

“Jamie found out.”

Mike drops his flailing arms, looking at me with confusion. “Found out what?”

“Found out about Tiff.” Her name is all I need to say; he knows how damaging this is.

His jaw tenses and his eyes move back and forth. “Did he find out about Ella too?”

I nod, clamping my teeth shut, trying to hold back my anger, but punching Jamie in the face can only reduce so much of it. I’d need to kick him a few times to get rid of it all. “How the hell did he find out about them?”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. I have bigger issues to deal with.Hehas bigger issues too.”

“Like?”

I take a breath, looking around and noting that students are still filming us. I lean closer to him and speak through gritted teeth. “A whole lot of shit that I can’t talk about here.”

Mike follows my gaze and tilts his head to the parked cars. “Come on, I’ll drive you home since there’s no point in you going back into school today. We’ll talk about it in the car.” I follow a step behind him, still reeling over all the information that’sflooded my brain over the last week. Feeling the way I do about Honey hasn’t helped matters either.

Sitting in Mike’s car while he stands outside talking to Olivia, I close my eyes and let out a long, disappointed breath. When I joined here, I thought this would be a dream and my way to help Tiff, Ella, and my parents. Unfortunately, it’s only brought me misery. Always the outcast, only spoken to when needed, no one wanted me here.

Then her big amber eyes and awkward smile come to mind. Honey wanted me here. The only girl who’s made me feel like I was something more, until today.

Screwing my eyes shut, I slam my hand on the door, not caring that it’s my throwing hand.

Why did it have to be him?

Why did she have this invisible string always pulling her back to her old life?

Why was it so easy for her to rip my heart out of my chest and tear it to shreds?

“Dude. Break your own car,” Mike grunts, sliding into the seat beside me. “I know you think we’re all made of money here, but I don’t want the press sniffing around, thinking I’ve done something wrong. My dad would kill me.”

“Sorry,” I mumble, staring out the window, strangely hoping Honey will walk through the school gates.

Mike pulls out of the lot. “We need to figure out what your explanation will be to Coach once Jamie cries wolf. He’s the only thing standing in the way of you and an expulsion.”

“I won’t get expelled.” He throws me a look of disbelief, and I shrug, sinking into the seat. “I’m the only hope for you rich assholes in the championship game. If I leave, there’s no chance of a trophy for the third year.”

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