Page 68 of A Quarterback for Christmas

“I’m fine,” I squeak out, holding back the cough that’s threatening to out me to the whole room.

I can’t watch Drew moving on in front of me. Thinking about it is one thing, but seeing it is quite another. Especially with Brianna’s scrunchy leggings overtly showing off her ass. “You know what? I forgot I have class in ten minutes. I need to go.”

With that, I unstrap my feet from the pedals and don’t make eye contact with Caroline. “But your dad sent me your schedule last week. You’re free all day.” Urgh. Why does my father have to be so involved all the time?

“Ah yeah, I’ve changed it.” Swinging my leg over the machine, I stand and dust off my shorts so I don’t have to look at Drew, or anyone else again. “I’ll let you know some other times I’m free so we can reschedule.”

“Okay, but remember to stretch when you get home. I’ll know if you don’t,” she calls after me, and I wave her off.

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Dropping my head to the floor, I rush to the exit, hoping to get out of here before Drew, or anyone else forthat matter, notices me. So much for him seeing me today and falling desperately in love with me.

As I’m shuffling out, my toe catches against one of the black mats, and I fall directly onto a firm chest. “I’m sorry,” I cry, clutching onto the guy’s hard pecs for dear life. Corded muscles hold me tight, and my heart beats so fast that I swear I’m having a heart attack.

I’ve fallen onto Drew again, haven’t I?

Looking up, the relief of not seeing brown eyes is short-lived because a pair of green ones are twinkling back instead. Jacob grins at me like he knows my biggest secret. Although, I guess he does.

That I’m desperately in love with my supposed enemy.

“Why are you running so fast, Bella? Afraid to face up to something?”

Gulping, my gaze darts around the room because I’ve definitely made a scene. Everyone in the gym is silently staring at me in Jacob’s arms. Everyone, including Drew and Brianna.

“What’s her problem? Has she got the hots for Jacob?” Brianna asks Drew, and before I can hear his answer, I jump out of Jacob’s arms and adjust my ponytail. Oh, how I wished out of all the athletes, I would have fallen for one that is so much less complicated, but alas, Drew is the only guy I want.

“I’m late,” I yelp before sidestepping Jacob and running out of the room like my underwear is on fire.

If there are any snickers, my heart is beating too erratically to hear them. I slam the double doors open and run for the locker rooms.

God, I’m so embarrassed.

Chapter 17

Bella

Kicking the silky sheets off my bed, I grunt in annoyance. I can’t sleep, and there’s only one reason for it.

Drew.

Ever since I broke my leg, sleep has become harder and harder, but tonight is the worst. I can’t stop thinking about what happened at the gym. Falling into Jacob’s arms and seeing Drew’s emotionless face gutted me.

He didn’t care. I almost wondered if kissing Jacob would have elicited some kind of emotion in him, but I knew better.

Drew didn’t care because he upgraded. Well, I guess it’s not upgrading if you go back to a girl that no one thinks you left in the first place.

I bet the minute they left the gym, Drew peeled those flesh-toned pants off her body and used that expert tongue of his. Images of his hands squeezing her thighs flood my mind. Her moaning in pleasure, him using it as a barometer for his success.

That’s it.

I sit up, scrunching the bedsheets in my hands before stomping over to the closet and turning the light on.

“What the hell are you doing? It’s five in the morning.” Marissa’s voice shocks me at first, but when I glance over myshoulder and see her disheveled face, I’m not sure if she’s properly awake.

“Can’t sleep. I’m going for a run,” I reply while I rummage through my clothes, looking for something to wear.

“Are you crazy? It’s pitch black outside.” Mhmm, she’s giving me coherent responses, which means she’s probably not sleep-talking, and I should feel bad that I woke her up, but then I remember she filled our closet with Cheetos, and that’s why I always have the subtle cheese smell lingering around me.

“I’ll wear my head torch.” I lift my headband with the fog light on it, but it doesn’t seem to calm her.

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