Page 21 of The Backup

Then, he looks at me—or at least, it feels like he does—and winks before turning back to the field.

My insides liquefy. Joe was always stoic during games, never one for showy gestures, and I never minded. I wasn’t looking to be anyone’s groupie.

But now? Asher’s wink has my heart racing, and I’m seriously rethinking my stance.

“Holy shit,” Brian mutters beside me. “Did he just wink at our section?”

Jacklyn guffaws, her grin widening as she glances my way. “Probably saw a cute girl up here or something.”

The momentum completely shifts after that touchdown. By the time the clock runs out, we’re on top by two touchdowns, and the crowd is in a frenzy.

As we leave the stadium, the buzz is all about Asher Knox—how he stepped in and showed up Joe DeRollo.

“Will he be the starter next week?” someone asks nearby.

I should feel happy for Asher—and I do—but unease gnaws at me. Gossip at Mystic Falls flies like frisbees at a dog park: fast, chaotic, and everyone loves chasing it.

And Ireallydon’t want to be labeled as the girl who hopped from the starter to the backup.

No one knows what happened last night. Unless Asher told someone, which I highly doubt. I snuck out the side door, and no one saw me. Right?

“Hey,” Jacklyn nudges me as we exit the stadium. “You okay? You’re kinda quiet.”

“I’m fine.”

Brian is ahead of us with some friends, so Jacklyn leans in closer, her voice low. “Did anything happen between you two after you left last night?”

I swallow hard, the moment of truth looming. “I don’t, uh, kiss and tell.”

Her eyes widen, and she lets out a laugh. “Oh my. I know what that means.”

She zips her lips with an exaggerated motion. “My lips are sealed. Not telling a soul.”

“Not telling a soul what?” Brian calls back over his shoulder.

Jacklyn shrugs dramatically. “Fine, I’ll tell you.”

I freeze.

She turns to me, smirking. “I’m not telling anyone how bad the breakup was with Joe.”

“Oh.” Brian nods, oblivious. “Yeah, seems like he’s taking it pretty bad.”

I exhale a sigh of relief as Jacklyn winks at me. She slows her pace, letting Brian pull ahead before whispering, “But youaretelling me the details later.”

“There’s no details,” I mutter. “Not really.”

“Lies,” she teases, laughing. “It’s okay. We’ll talk about it at the bar later.”

At the bar downtown, the usual post-game haunt, I pull out my phone.

Nineteen missed calls from Joe.

Great. Psycho, much?

Ignoring those, I scroll to the contact I actually want to talk to.

Me: Hey, good game. But I have some bad news. I only date backups. :(

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