Page 28 of No Place Like Home

This was probably one of the most awkward conversations I’d ever had, but I was enjoying it, oddly enough.

“Not much. Saw your text, thought I’d call and see how you were doing.”

“Oh, good. Good game. Congrats on the win.”

“You watched me play?”

I tried to think back to if I ever saw Jessa at any school function to watch any sports, but I couldn’t recall. Same for when we worked at the coffee shop. She’d just do homework, read, or clean.

“Suuuure.”

“What does ‘sure’ even mean?”

“It means that if by watching, you mean I followed your number, cringed every time you got hurt, and then was amazed at how far you can throw a ball, then yes, I watched.

I smiled, pleased to know she was watching me.

“Although I’m not sure it’ill become a habit. It was boring.”

I started to cough-laugh. “Jessa, do me a favor?”

The line went quiet for a second, and I wondered what was going through her mind.

“Yeah?”

“Never say anything offensive like that at a sports bar or near any arena.”

“Since I never go to bars or plan to go to a sports arena, I think I’ll be fine.”

“Not even to watch me play?” I teased.

“You’re not that special.”

“Ouch! Jessamine, you wound me.”

I let her full name roll off my tongue without thinking. Fuck, if Cubbie could call her that, why couldn’t I?

“Oh, please, you have ahugeego. You don’t need me to stroke it.” Jess snapped.

I knew she didn’t mean it sexually, so I bit my lip before I could come back with an innuendo. At least she didn’t say anything about her name. Before I could say more, I got a call on the other line. It was Lauren. Shit, she probably thought I went out since I hadn’t called her back.

“Anyway…” Jess said. “I never thanked you for the sweater. I…um…I really liked it. Thank you. You didn’t have to get me one.”

I had to wait for the ringing to stop before I answered her. “Remember what I told you, Jess. It takes a special type of flower to bloom when shit gets rough.”

The ringing started again, and I knew I had to let go of Jess so I could talk to Lauren.

“Send proof, or else it didn’t happen.”

There was a snort on the other end.“Leave me alone.”

“Okay. I was about to let you go either way.”

“Sorry. Not you. Blake. He’s being annoying.”

I stood quiet, wondering how close Jess and Blake were. He was a player, and Jess…Jess wasn’t ugly. I mean, no one at our age lived together and didn’t fuck, right? Maybe they were dating and just didn’t want to tell anyone since they were like family.

“Quincy, are you still there?”

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