Page 25 of Corrupt Obsession

He cocked his head to the side and dropped his hand. “You should have stayed home.”

“I have a test today.”

“You could always make it up.”

“No need,” she said and waved as a girl approached the SUV. “Your girlfriend’s coming.”

He didn’t turn to look. “Who?”

“Sasha.”

“We’re not official,” he said shortly. “If you need me to take you home…”

“Yes, I’ll call you, but I’m sure I’ll be fine, Dad.”

She grimaced at the last word she’d tacked on, but Jesse didn’t notice because Sasha was knocking on his window. Violet slipped out of the car and slung her backpack over one shoulder as Sasha drawled, “Hey, handsome.”

She walked away before she heard Jesse’s response. She wasn’t sure what had come over him, but in the past few weeks, he’d gone into a dating frenzy. When he didn’t have practice or a game on the weekends, he usually spent it with the girl of the week. Sasha was the first to pass the two-week mark. When she asked him why he was suddenly playing the field, he’d said it was necessary. She wasn’t sure what that meant and hadn’t been interested enough to push for clarification since she was sick of hearing about his love life from her friends who were dying to be included, even if it was just for a day. Unfortunately for them, Jesse was dating only juniors or seniors. She was grateful. She didn’t want to have to console her friends when Jesse moved onto someone else.

“Vi!”

Georgia stood beside her yellow Fiat, waving frantically. One glance at her friend was all it took to know what was on her mind. Her life had taken an outlandish turn while Georgia was still stuck on Tobias and his nonexistent crush.

“You left me hanging last night!” Georgia exclaimed as she hooked her arm through Violet’s.

“I passed out,” she said apologetically.

“I’ll forgive you if you let me see one of Toby’s poems.” When Violet gave her a level stare, Georgia sucked her teeth. “What ifhe’s carefully crafting these poems to express how he feels, but you’re too stubborn to see it?”

“And if they are just poems and not secret love letters?”

“That’s why you have me!” Georgia said cheerfully.

Her brow arched. “Because you’re a whiz at poetry?”

“No, but Iama whiz when it comes to love.”

Violet frowned. “You’ve never had a boyfriend.”

“Exactly! Those who can’t fall in love are fated to spot it miles away for everyone else.”

Before she could respond to that, someone pressed against her other side.

“I see Jesse’s still with Sasha,” Marie whispered.

Georgia held up her finger like she was trying to figure out which way the wind was blowing. “My senses say they’ll call it quits before the end of the week.”

“I think they make a cute couple,” Marie said.

“You say that about every girl he’s with.”

“And I’m right!”

“He’s hot. He could choose someone butt ugly and his looks would bring her up three levels.”

“Georgia!” Violet and Marie exclaimed, appalled.

“You know I’m right.” Georgia glanced around to make sure no one was listening before she murmured, “Is it just me or does Jesse look bored out of his mind, no matter who he’s with?”

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