Page 26 of XO

“I like seeing you angry,” he admits, tauntingly. “It’s like watching a little French Bulldog puppy take on a shoe.”

“You don’t even know me, yet you think it’s okay to categorize me. Well… guess what, whoever you are, you can’t stand me as much as I can’t stand you. So, how about you stay out of my way and pretend we’ve never met.”

I heave a breath and another slow smile spreads across his face. “Nice work, Posie. Told you I’d get a reaction from you. I thought it would take a little longer, but you’ve surprised me.”

I yank at the jacket, and this time, he lets go. “You’re an asshole.”

He shrugs. “Maybe, but I think you like it.”

“Piss off!” Grunting in annoyance, I stalk from the room wanting to put as much distance between my sanity and the conceited douchebag. “You think wrong,” I yell from the top of the stairs.

“See you at school, Posie,” he replies and judging by the tone, he’s smiling.

“It’sRosie!”

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, Mrs. Lynch is frozen in place, a vase in each hand, eyes wide in shock. “Sorry,” I sincerely apologize because her son had managed to bring out the worst in me.

But Jacob Lynch has set the tone and from here on out, ignoring the asshole will be a piece of cake.

~

Pulling the curtains aside, I look across the street and see Jacob sitting on his windowsill. Legs bent at the knees, his script book in hand. I smile, and my heart warms. Despite all that happened this afternoon, he’s still learning his lines. Rolling his head to the side, he glances my way. Seeing me watching him, he perks up and swivels front-facing, so his legs dangle outside the house. For a moment, all we do is stare. When he gives a small wave, I return the gesture.

And when he pulls his phone from his pocket and signals for me to find mine, I leave the window momentarily and search my bag. When I find it, I return to see Jacob busy texting. It doesn’t take long for his message to come through.

Jacob:Are you dying?

I laugh and it hurts.

Me:No. The world has to endure Rosie Reign for a while longer.

Jacob:So, you’re all good?

Me:Yes, they know what’s wrong. I’ll be fine.

I leave out the part about being cursed with infertility.

Me:Thank you for helping me on the bus. Your jacket isn’t ruined. My dad’s going to take it to the dry cleaners.

Him:The jacket isn’t what I’m worried about, Rosie.

I look up from my screen to him and see he’s still watching me. My heart does a little skip, and I swallow hard before returning the message.

Me:I’m sorry my dad wasn’t very nice.

Jacob:He was just looking out for you. More than what my dad ever would. So, I get it.

Now my heart breaks that little bit more because what Jacob’s saying is true. His father is an asshole and has always lived through his son’s achievements, amounting unnecessary pressures just to live in some personal glory that he failed to reach himself in his own youth.

Me:You’re important to me.

I send the message not regretting how cringeworthy it must read. Jacob and I have a lot of history together, and while he’s made it his personal mission to torment me, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without him in it. I look up and meet his eyes. He’s not replying. Instead, he seems lost in thought. Perhaps, I have made him uncomfortable.

Jacob:That’s all that matters.

Me:X

Jacob:O

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