Page 17 of Caged in Flames

"No. The chance to dress super hot and sit in the stands while ignoring all the little ants that march around to the order of a bunch of teenage boys who probably can't even locate a clitoris during foreplay."

I have to turn my head because I know for a fact that two of them have no issues with that. "I still don't understand the appeal, Jane."

"Fine. I'll buy you nachos and all the Coke you want to please accompany me tonight." I chuckle because I know when she says "Coke", she actually means all soda. Apparently, that is a Texas thing.

My eyes narrow at her. "Why do you want to go so badly?"

She purses her lips and pulls a magazine out of her bag, avoiding looking at me. "No reason."

I pull the magazine out of her hands. "Spill. Now."

Jane's eyes roll back but her cheeks heat up to match her strawberry hair. "Fine. I might have seen a ridiculously cute girl in my Calculus class wearing a cheerleader uniform today. I would really like to go and see her do the splits in that skirt."

I laugh. Loudly. I think being a good friend requires me playing wingman and I want to be a good friend. "Fine. But if you try and get me to wear a little black dress then I reserve the right to back out."

She nods. "Deal."

I don't end up wearing a revenge outfit at all. The only blessing is that I am also not wearing school colors. I'm in a pair of jean shorts with my converse and solid red pullover that hangs off one shoulder. If anyone has noticed my aversion to short sleeves, they haven't said anything.

Jane leads me up the bleachers and into a spot off to the side. When I ask her why she isn't sitting directly in front of the cheerleaders, she just waves me off.

Both of our phones go off at the same time. Our group text lights up with a text from Gunner saying he's heading into the stadium now and will find us.

"Are we going to talk about it?" Jane nudges her shoulder against my own.

I’m not sure what she means, so I ask. "About what?"

"The fact that you and G are so hot for each other y’all are liable to burst into flames if you don't strip each other naked as soon as possible."

I choke on the saliva in my mouth. The things this girl blurts out. "We're friends, Jane. Just friends."

"Sure. And I'm straight. Whatever. Keep your crush a secret. But I know he's into you too." She flips her hair over her shoulder before raising it in the air and waving at the subject of conversation.

We might have a mutual attraction, but he isn't acting on it. Yet.

Gunner makes his way through the crowd which has started to fill in. He takes a seat beside me after greeting us both with short side hugs.

"Right, well, I promised this one nachos. I'll be right back." Jane scurries off before I can cut her a dirty look.

"Have you been to a football game before, Nixy?" His voice is quiet, but it still stands out against the loud crowd.

"Umm, not since I was little." I don’t feel like getting into it so I move the conversation forward. "Are you excited for your first taste of Blisshaven sports?" I turn my head to meet his eyes.

"I'm more excited about the company, but sure, I like football too." He says flirty things so casually. It's hard not to crush on him a little more each time.

I smile, but then a familiar face catches my eye. Two of them. Coming here was a mistake.

I duck my head to the side, but it's too late. He definitely saw me and now he's making his way towards me. "Can we go?"

Jane appears at that moment juggling an insane amount of concession items in her arms. "Wait, Nix, I got the nachos. Even got you extra fake cheese!"

"I appreciate it, but this is a terrible idea." The crowd starts to roar as our team takes the field. "I have to go."

As soon as I go to move, having been paralyzed in my seat for the last few minutes, I hear my name being shouted. Well not my name anymore.

"Diana!"

"I can't do this right now you guys. Please stay and enjoy the game. I'll see you tomorrow."

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