Page 27 of A Slice of Love

I truly thought once Jonas hit college, he’d be sowing his wild oats up and down the dorms. It was one of the reasons why, at the last minute, I accepted the offer I received from the art school I’d secretly applied to. I couldn’t bear the thought of having to see him with all those different girls.

It was the push I needed. I put my foot down with my parents and went to school for what I wanted to—art.

Even though I was still attending a college close by, they didn’t take the news well. They didn’t think an art degree would benefit me financially long-term and wanted me to pursue teaching like my mother or a business degree where the options were endless.

It took six months before my mother spoke to me again, and three and a half years for my father to accept it…which he only did because of the cancer spreading through his lungs.

Losing Jonas and any relationship I had with my father made for a tough few years.

“Basically, what I’m saying is, there is still hope he now bats for my team,” Julian explains, pulling me from my mind.

“Technically”—I hold up a finger—“he does bat for your team since you bat for both.”

He grabs his junk. “This team, sweetie.”

“Ick.” I shudder. “Pass onthatjunk.”

“Oh, I see how it is.Myjunk isn’t good enough for you, but you’ll take Schwartz’s junk. Noted.” He grins smugly, and I want to slap it off his face. “It’s the beard, isn’t it? Because I’ll grow one, baby.” He winks. “I bet I’d look hot as fuck too.”

I groan. “Why are you still here? The shelf is assembled. Your services are no longer needed.”

“You’re telling me you’ve been using me?” He holds a hand to his chest. “And here I thought you invited me over because you like my company.”

“If I liked your company, I’d have gotten pizza for two.”

“Rude.”

“But true.”

I grab another slice and try to ignore the holes he’s staring into the side of my head, but it’s difficult. He’s so big and takes up so much room; he’s hard to ignore.

“What?” I finally ask. “Out with it already. I know you have something to say, so just say it.”

“How do you know I have something to say?”

“Because youalwayshave something to say.”

“Fair.” He laughs. “What are you gonna do about Jonas being back?”

“What do you mean back? You two only went to college an hour away.I’mthe one who’s back.”

He groans, clearly annoyed by me playing dumb. “You know what I mean, Frankenstein.” He jostles me with his giant foot. “Now that you’re both back in the same town for the first time in four years, what are you gonna do?”

“What I always do: pretend he doesn’t exist.”

“Do you really think that’s the best play? I saw the way he looked at you just now, and he didn’t exactly look upset to see you. He was too busy appreciating the new you.”

The new me—I’m still not used to her.

After landing my dream job, I got my wild hair straightened and got contacts. It’s amazing what a haircut and taking your glasses off can do for you.

I must admit, I hate how right he is. Jonasdidn’tlook upset to see me, something that elates me and makes me sad all at once.

Why couldn’t he see me in high school? Why couldn’t he have looked at me like that back then? So…excited?

Just because he’s doing it now doesn’t change anything.

I’m still mad. I’m still not over what happened.

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