Page 45 of XO

“How could you not? It didn’t have to be this way. Kevin knew you’d snap violently which would result in you being removed from the team.”

He shrugs indifferently. “Then let him have that victory.”

Adamant, I shake my head. “This… this just isn’t… right.” Growing lightheaded, I use a locker to steady myself. “You can’t lose everything because of me.”

Clasping my shoulders, Jacob turns me to face him, kindness and compassion radiating from his beautiful eyes even with everything going on in his own world. “Rosie, I won’t let anyone treat you that way. You don’t deserve to be called those names. You don’t deserve the hate that should be directed at me. And if standing my ground means being kicked off the team, then so be it. I’d sacrifice a hell of a lot more for you. I’d sacrifice everything for you.”

“How can you say that when we are only a new couple?”

“We may be new with dating each other, Rosie, but you forget I’ve always loved you.” He smiles wryly. “Why do you think I always harassed you? It wasn’t because I liked seeing you mad. It was just the only way I could get your attention. And now that I have it, nothing else matters. Not even a stupid ball game.” Jacob kisses my forehead before resting his to mine. He holds my hands at my side, but I feel his thumb draw a X on my palm. I return his kiss with an O, my world spinning, butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“You love me?”

“Of course, I do. I always have. I just had to convince you to love me back.”

11

THEN

“Everyone’s staring,” I anxiously murmur, feeling all eyes on us as we walk to the lunch tables at recess. It’s the next day after the fight with Kevin, and it seems word spread like wildfire. Gossip is rampant, and they make no effort to disguise that Jacob and I are the center of that gossip.

We aren’t just gossip.

We’re a scandal.

There’s Chelsea sympathizers and Rosie supporters—merely those who’ve been the victim of Chelsea’s nastiness in the past. The cohort is divided in what they want to believe is morally right. Even though Jacob and I didn’t technically cheat, Chelsea is running with that headline, and now we’re left to fight off the slew of unsavory mudslinging and random sightings of derogatory graffiti.

“Who cares,” Jacob says in a tone that tells me he, in fact, doesn’t care what they think.

I take a seat across from Nessie and look up at him. “It’s a world away from how they were looking at you last week.”

Jacob frowns, taking my legs and swiveling me on the bench so my back presses against the tabletop. He leans down on an angle, arms placed on the table either side of me. “Listen to me, Rosie,” he says gently, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Yes, we are an unexpected couple. Yes, it will take people time to get used to it. And if they don’t, I really don’t give a shit. What they’re seeing right now…” he quickly glances around at those watching him, us, “… they’re seeing their ex-football captain crushing hard on an insanely beautiful, insanely creative girl who’s held my attention since freshman year.” Jacob inches closer, his lips only a mere inch from mine. I grow heady at his closeness, forgetting about the very people we’re talking about. “So, let them stare. Let them see how much I enjoy feeling that tongue of yours in my mouth.” Crushing his lip to mine, Jacob claims my mouth in his typical delicious fashion, expertly kissing my fears and anxieties away. He slips me his tongue, and I return the favor, his fingers gently placed under my chin. For a public display, it was incredibly intimate. Breaking away, he returns to softly peck my lips before taking a seat next to me, acting completely normal as if we didn’t just give everyone at recess a show.

Nessie, who sits frozen in place, lettuce falling off her raised fork, blinks to regain composure. “Um… I’m about to become friendless if my father sees you doing that.”

I chuckle, still feeling the glow of Jacob’s kiss. “He will never know, so you have nothing to worry about.”

Nessie scoffs. “That man can read my mind. He will know, and he’ll justify it saying Jesus spoke to him.”

Jacob smiles cheekily. “So, don’t think about me kissing your friend, and you should be sweet.” I nudge him in the ribs as he throws a crisp in his mouth.

“After a display like that, the entire cohort will be thinking about it.”

“You know…” Jacob starts as if he’s up to something. “I can find you a date. I already have someone in mind.”

“Are you nuts,” Nessie exclaims, eyes wide in horror. “My father will kill you, him, and me, and not necessarily in that order.” She moves her lunch away, folds her arms on the table, and leans in close as if we were in the midst of conspiring. “Why…” She looks around with her eyes. “Who do you have in mind?”

Both Jacob and I laugh at the about-turn, but Nessie, she’s deadly serious and cocks a brow waiting for her answer.

“How about we all meet up at the diner, and I’ll make introductions, then?” Jacob suggests.

“My father will lock me in the house for the rest of my life if he even thinks a boy is looking at me, and you expect me to go on a blind date? Say when, and I’ll be there.” Sipping on her straw, Nessie looks around to ensure no one overheard.

“This afternoon,” Jacob says, seemingly confident in his ability to get the other party involved.

Nessie’s eyes twinkle. “Rosie, I’ll text Dad and tell him I’ll be at yours.”

“Technically, you won’t lying.”

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