Page 95 of Matched By My Rival
Her eyes went even wider, which didn’t seem possible, while Jackson watched us. If nothing else, this would be a good homophobe test for her boyfriend.
“The wide receiver, Parker Reed? The guy who showed up at a party with your girlfriend? The one who got you kicked off the team?”
Her voice was steadily rising.
“It wasn’t his fault,” I said weakly. “I mean, I punched him.”
Claire tactfully sidestepped to another cooler and withdrew a bouquet of candy. There were Kit-Kats, Hershey bars, Snickers, and M&Ms, each standing tall and proud, arranged in layers like flowers. Interspersed in the bouquet were individually wrapped Red Vines. It was all wrapped in red cellophane, like the most romantic of offerings. “Perhaps he’d like this if you’re not so sure how he feels about flowers?”
Well, that made a statement. Parker probably shouldn’t eat all that candy—but wasn’t that the point? To tell him that he was more than an athlete and football player. That hecouldeat whatever he wanted. Could have anything he wanted.
Hopefully he still wanted me.
“Yeah, I’ll take it.”
Chelsea gaped. Jackson had yet to say anything regarding the boyfriend situation. Grandma and Grandpa were on the other side of the store, helping Joey pick out a toy.
“Oh my God,” Chels finally said, and I braced myself. I didn’t think she was closed-minded, but I knew it was probably a surprise given how many girls she’d watched me date. “You’re in love with a guy youbrawledwith.” She rolled her eyes. “Only you, Simon.”
I grinned. I couldn’t help it.
Iwasin love with him. And suddenly, I really didn’t care who knew it. If Parker was ready to come out and claim me, I’d happily do the same. The urge to talk to him grew.
“How do you guys feel about catching the football game?”
“Sounds great,” Jackson said eagerly. He was probably happy to get out of more shopping.
“He’ll be playing?” Chelsea asked.
“Yeah. I need to talk to him if I can.”
She lowered her voice. “You going to tell Grandma and Grandpa? Mom? Dad?”
“Everyone,” I said firmly. “Well…maybe not Dad. He’s an asshole, and I really don’t care what he thinks.”
She smiled and threw an arm around me. “I couldn’t agree more, Sy-Sy. I’m proud of you.”
“You are? I thought you were mad I was dating a guy I punched.”
She snorted. “No, now that I think about it, it’s oddly fitting. This is why you’re happier?”
“A big part of it, yeah. But I’ll be a lot happier if I can fix what I broke last night.”
“Uh-oh, what did you do?”
“The usual.”
“Grandma, Grandpa,” Chelsea called as we crossed the shop to the checkout. “We gotta go. Simon was an idiot.”
“Thanks a lot,” I muttered. But I couldn’t help but smile. Chelsea had taken the news I was dating a guy in stride, and I knew she’d help me tell Grandma and Grandpa. Not that I was too worried. Those two didn’t have a judgmental bone in their bodies.
I shot a glance toward Jackson, but he simply nodded at me again. Guy code for,We’re cool.I nodded back and turned to make my purchase. With any luck I could catch Parker before the game and apologize. If not, I’d be there waiting at the end.
Either way, I wasn’t going home until he knew how I really felt.
I was in love with Parker. I should have told him last night, or even before then. But I hoped late was better than never.
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