Page 93 of The Quarterback Sneak

Stumbling, I walk back but she follows, opening her hand to me and smiling like she’s happy about this.

“I’m Tiff.” I accept her hand because I don’t know what else to do. When I take in a deep breath, there’s a little hitch, and I swear she can hear the giant ball of snot stuck in my nose. “You’re the girl that drops Zach off sometimes, right?”

I nod.

She looks up into the dark sky with a wide smile. “I knew it. Zach’s so private that he refused to tell me what your name was. I only found out because I saw it written on his notes.”

“Oh, yeah?” My chin quivers, and I worry I’m going to throw up on her shoes. She’s being so nice.

“Yeah, once I finally knew your name, he couldn’t deny your existence as easily.” She laughs it off like this whole thing is a joke, but maybe it is to her. “He talks about you a lot.”

My eyes widen. “He does?”

She rolls her eyes but maintains a pleasant smile, and I’m beyond confused. “Not willingly, obviously. Getting Zach to open up about most things is like pulling rotten teeth out of a rabid raccoon. Not something you want to spend your days trying to do. But yeah, he kind of had to when he explained where his bike went.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I doubt he’s told you, but he loves the bike. Ever since it was dropped off, if he’s not driving it, he’s cleaning it or talking through all the different components to Ella as though she knows what he’s talking about.”

Ella.

I feel like a useless, torn piece of paper. His daughter has a name, and it’s beautiful, like her, like his family. Tiff stares at me expectantly, but I have no idea what to say. Maybe she wanted me to buy him a more practical car.

“He’d never admit this to you, but he hasn’t been the same since you broke up with him.”

I narrow my eyes. “Broke up?” He lied to her to keep his secret. “He told you that?”

She tilts her head. “Well, I assumed that’s what happened when you stopped dropping him off. He’s been acting different lately. He seemed happy and finally started going to parties and acting like a high school student. It’s the first time I’ve seen him happy since…” She shakes her head, taking a deep breath. “Doesn’t matter.” She waves her hand. “I thought you broke up with him after the suspension?”

I can’t answer the question because I’m beyond confused about her lackluster attitude toward me. “Why are you being so nice tome?” I come out and ask it because I can’t sit here and pretend we might be friends one day.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asks, sounding taken aback at my boldness. “You make Zach happy, and I like seeing him happy. I know it’s not my place, but I thought I’d return the favor since he has spent so much time helping me.”

I hum out a response, not sure what to say.

“He clearly likes you. I know he can be intense at times, but I wanted to know if there was anything he could do to get you back?”

“But he’s the father of your child.” I choke out the words, stunned that she’s bold enough to ask that.

Tiff almost retches. “Gross. What the hell are you talking about? He’s my cousin.”

There’s a moment of silence while I take in her words.

His cousin? So, not his sister or his girlfriend? Unless I’ve stumbled across some strange family dynamics, then Jamie was wrong.

“You’re his cousin?”

She slowly nods. “Yes. Who did he tell you I was?”

“He, uh, kind of said you were his sister, but I wasn’t sure I believed him.”

She laughs bitterly. “Figures he didn’t tell you. Ever the white knight trying to keep my secrets. Secrets that should have never involved him in the first place. He’s always trying to fight my battles, just like when we were kids.”

“So, Ella isn’t his? Zach’s not a father?”

She raises her hand. “Please, stop. I did not sleep with my cousin.”

My mind whirrs with questions, which are too much to take. Stepping back, I’m too confused about what the hell is going on to think straight. “I can’t do this.”

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