Page 129 of I Blame the Rival

“Hey, Skylar?”

“Yes, Flower?”

“I love you.”

He pulls back to look at me, those beautiful eyes so much brighter than the first time I saw them. It’s the perfect moment, so naturally I had to ruin it.

Tripping over my own two feet, I stumble into the person beside me. Skylar is quick to catch me, but not quick enough to stop the embarrassment from coating my cheeks.

“Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

I’m so flustered that it takes me a while to look at the guy's face. When I finally do, that perfect moment evaporates into a distant memory.

Because the person staring back at me is none other than Jerrell Thompson.

Skylar

I hate him even more in person.

“Lacey doll, those clumsy feet of yours are always getting you into trouble.” Jerrell flashes her a grin, “Don’t go hurting yourself to get my attention.”

“I-I’m not.” She’s flustered and stuttering and her anxiety has a spark of anger igniting inside me. It took less than ten seconds for Jerrell to introduce himself and crack a joke at Lacey’s expense.

I really fucking hate this guy.

“I have to say, I’m surprised to see you here.” He raises a brow, flicking his eyes down her body, “The girl I knew never went out past her curfew.”

She swallows and I quickly reach over to grab her hand. Her fingers latch onto mine and I gently brush my thumb over her skin so she knows I’m not going anywhere.

“I-I…” Lacey gulps down a breath, squeezing my hand tightly, “I’m not the girl you used to know. Not anymore.”

“Apparently not.” He grins, as if the charming smile is enough to disarm her, “We’ll have to reconnect so I can see what’sdifferent.”

“No.”

The simple word is spoken quietly but forcefully. Jerrell blinks a couple of times, as if he’s not used to his ex-girlfriends rejecting him.

“No?”

“That’s right.” Lacey clears her throat, forcing her shoulders back, “I don’t want anything to do with you, Jerrell. And I would appreciate it if you would leave us alone.”

Jerrell glances at me for the first time.

“Looks like you aren’t the girl I used to know.” He flicks his eyes over my face, down my body, and lets out a laugh, “Especially if you went from me to this.”

I stare at him, taking in the preppy clothes and athletic frame. He’s a good-looking guy if you ignore the stench of entitlement and frat boy vibe he’s got going on.

The rich boy aesthetic didn’t come as a surprise, but his size did.

Given the fact Lacey has never once commented on my small frame, I figured her ex-boyfriend must have been similar in stature. It’s not uncommon for tall girls to end up with shorter guys, so I didn’t give it much thought when the conversation of my size never came up.

Clearly, that was a misassumption on my part.

Jerrell stands about three inches above me with an extra thirty pounds of muscle. He’s nowhere near the size of a varsity athlete, but still big enough to tower over me.

Something which he seems to enjoy doing.

He lets out another laugh, “Could you not find an adequate replacement for me? Wanted to branch out and lock down the biggest freak in town?”

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