Page 147 of Only With You

Me: Do not think of showing up with another guy’s jersey. I’m not playing Julianna.

Angel: Attachment: 1 Image

My jaw tightens as I look at the screen. She sent me a picture of her middle finger, but in the background, it’s her laptop showing that she purchased a jersey.

41

JULIANNA

I refreshthe page for what seems like the hundredth time since I took my test this morning. When a dash still takes place where my grade should be, I push off from my bed, with my laptop in my hand, and stroll over to the living room.

I shouldn’t be nervous, but I can’t help the anxiety that spikes, the cold chills, and the dread that settles in my stomach every time I think,what if I failed?

My grade, all thanks to Landon, has steadily risen and is currently sitting right in the middle of a B. I know to most that’s good because it’s passing, but that won’t be good enough for Dad. Not only because he doesn’t believe in B’s, but because I’ve told him my grade is an A.

I know it’s my fault for lying to him. I should’ve been honest from the get-go, but I know Mom will tell him to pull me from school. She’ll tell him that I’m wasting their money and that I’m being ungrateful for all the opportunities I’m letting go.

“You won’t be pretty forever,”Mom said yesterday during our Sunday call after she saw a photo posted by the sorority on Instagram. She followed that up by saying that I needed Botox on my face again, because the lines are“noticeable and unattractive.”

That wasn’t even one fourth of what she said, but just thinking about it all makes my head pound.

“Anything?” Polly asks from the kitchen as I slump down on the couch next to Gabby and set my laptop onto my lap.

“No.”

Gabby graces me with a friendly smile. “I’m confident you passed.”

If only I could feel as positive as she always looks. “We’ll see…”

“Seriously, don’t sweat it. After all, it’s Landon who’s been tutoring you. I have a feeling you did well,” Polly says before she takes a bite of one of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch rice krispies I made for him.

It’s extra as hell, because I don’t owe him anything but sex, but we haven’t had the chance to meet up since last week. He hasn’t said anything about it, not that he has said much to begin with. He’s been a little distant and quiet on his end.

I can’t help but wonder if he regrets what he shared with me, or if maybe he’s tired of being around me. He says he doesn’t hate me. He and I share things with each other, but people do that all the time and that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Sienna and I are examples of that. We were good friends, or so I thought, before she decided she didn’t want me in her life.

Then again, the season just started and he has a lot on his plate.

“Speaking of Landon”—a sly smile stretches on Polly’s face—“what’s going on between the two of you?”

We never did talk about what we would say if anyone asked.

“Nothing.”

“That’s bullshit. There’s something going on,” Polly deadpans, pointing her sticky index finger at me.

“I—”

“Polly, leave her alone,” Gabby interjects, shaking her head at her.

“Oh, don’t give me that. Don’t act like you’re not dying to know. I mean, look at the jar.” She points in the direction of our money jar. “It’s been the same for a few weeks now. He gave her his hoodie and you know how he is about sharing clothes.” Her gaze slides down to the hoodie I’m wearing. “And she made him these.” She holds the sweet treat in the air. “You know how obsessed Landon is with Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I mean, he has boxes of them at his house. There is no way nothing is going on.”

I hate how my cheeks burn. “It’s nothing. We’re just…getting along.”

“I’m sure you two aregetting along. Don’t act like we didn’t see those hickeys on your neck.” Polly deadpans, pointing her sticky index finger at me. “And don’t deny they didn’t come from him because I know they did. Tutoring does wonders, doesn’t it? Look at Cara and Jayden.”

I did the best I could to cover them up but they were so dark and big. Damn it, Landon.

“There’s nothing there either. Cara said so.” Gabby chides but even then she doesn’t sound like she believes what she says. But then gasps because my lips betray me and I smile without trying.

---