Page 89 of A Quarterback for Christmas

“No. She wouldn’t do something like that.”

“How would you know? You didn’t even catch her name. Now go sort yourself out, McCallister. When I’ve had more time to think about this, we’ll discuss how you should treat women moving forward. Brain first. Dick second.”

I walk into the gym with all eyes on me, and I don’t know if it’s because of the video or because they want to know what made Coach so angry. I don’t give any of them the pleasure of finding out. I stalk through the gym straight to the locker room, and when Jacob and Reese try to stop me, I tell them I’ll talk to them about everything when I get home.

I need a minute to think first.

Actually, no. I need a minute to call Bella so that she can brace herself for the potential shitstorm coming her way. When I get to a quiet corner in the locker room, I pull my phone out, ready to call Bella, but Coach’s words stop me.

What if he’s right about Bella being the one that leaked this?

No. I’m not thinking straight. She wouldn’t do something like that because it implicates her just as much as me. She wouldn’t put herself on the line like that.

Something irks in the back of my mind, though. Who would check the security camera unless they knew what they were looking for? Why was the clip cut short, so Bella’s face isn’t shown?

Maybe she did have something to do with this?

The thought feels insidious, creeping through every crevice of my brain, poisoning all my thoughts, and making me wonder about Bella’s true intentions.

Was this her way of getting me out of her life and away from her family forever? Was she playing the long game? It never felt like she was that committed to me. She hated me until winter break, and she fought so hard against me about not telling her dad but didn’t seem to mind students' knowing.

Was it because she knew this was coming, and she didn’t want him to know it was her?

I swallow the bitter taste in my mouth as I shove my phone back in my bag. It couldn’t have been her, could it?

The thought plays in my mind over and over until it feels more real than I’d like to admit. Why did it feel so plausible?

In a way, it’s hard to be angry at her over what she did. She’s always been so open about her hatred toward me. I’m the sucker that didn't believe she'd take it so far as to sleep with me to get her revenge…on what, I’m still not sure, but she definitely served it.

Shaking my head, I walk to my house. Too much has happened today for me to think straight. and I need to get some clarity before I speak to her again.

Chapter 23

Bella

Something feels different today, but I can’t put my finger on what exactly it is. The halls are full of whispers; whenever I catch someone’s eyes, they turn away sharply, and I don’t know why. My skirt’s a little short, but no shorter than usual, and my hair has the same long braid in it, so why is today different?

Dropping my lunch tray on the table, I face Marissa and ask, “Do you know why everyone is staring at me?” She looks around while munching on her Cheetos and turns back, giving me a confused glare.

“Are you still taking those pain meds for your leg, B? Because absolutely no one is looking at you.”

Peering over Marissa’s shoulder, she’s right. “I don’t know. Something just feels different today, and I’m not sure what exactly it is.”

Marissa snorts. “Duh, it feels different. We’ve just lost our best quarterback and your newest crush to a potential rival school. That’s the biggest thing that’s ever happened here.”

Best quarterback? As in Drew?

“What are you talking about?”

She stares at me, dumbfounded. “Didn’t your dad tell you?” I shake my head, but can’t stop the prickly sensation creeping over my skin. Is there something I should know? “Surprising,since you’re all up in the football team these days. Drew’s leaving.”

I think my heart stops, and I want to pinch myself because this can’t be real. I can’t breathe. All I can do is repeat those words in the back of my head.

Drew’s leaving. Drew’s leaving. Drew’s leaving?!

Marissa looks around before leaning in. “Apparently, it happened over the weekend. He decided he wanted to play in warmer weather. West Coast seems most likely. Covey U and Southern Collegiate have already reached out.”

“But why? Jacob’s entering the draft this year; he would be our starting quarterback?”

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