Page 40 of The Lie
“Britney, the office called and said they need you there right now and to let Mila finish off here.”
I glance under my lashes as Jace holds the door open for her.
“Oh, wow. That makes sense. I’m not dressed for this dirty work. Walk with me?” She puts her phone away and makes her way over to him, placing a hand on his chest.
He moves swiftly so it drops away. “Coach needs me for something.”
I look away from them both and open the washer door, glad that, at least, it will just be me in here with the towels. Even spending time in this smelly locker room is better than being in Britney’s presence for another minute.
The door closes behind them, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I don’t know why I expected him to say something to me.
I guess somewhere deep inside, as much as I dislike him right now, I still long for his attention. He was once my best friend, and it’s hard to forget that part of our lives.
I don’t hate Jace Montero. It’s much worse than that.
I pity him.
SIXTEEN
HUNTER
Friday night football.
Nothing gets the blood pumping like Friday night football. Emerson runs out beside me, all riled up to beat the Port Oak Raiders. The crowd tonight is loud, even though we’re playing at Port Oak. The Rebels know when to come out in force.
I see my girl out there with her two friends, Sadie and Cadence. They bring out a side of her that I can’t; girl talk is something I’m not good at, and they bring plenty of that to the table. Lunch has definitely been different this week.
Mila waves at me, and I love seeing her wearing my shirt and number. I double tap my chest and send her a kiss. She blows me one back, and I catch it and pretend to put it in my pocket. I can see her beaming smile and that she’s giggling with the girls.
Emerson gives me a chest pump, and I shake out my limbs as I bounce on my feet.
“You think one of Mila’s friends would wanna hook up with me at the after-party?” Emerson asks as he stretches his legs and looks over to where Mila and the girls are.
I jog in place and look back over there. “Which one?” I don’t know them very well, but I could always ask Mila. Or Emerson could suck it up and ask the one he likes to go suck his dick if that’s what he wants. I have a feeling, though, that they’re not those types of girls.
He winks over at me. “The redhead.”
Cadence. From what I do know of her, she speaks her mind. She would probably chew Emerson up and spit him out in a heartbeat if he asked her.
I grin. “Go for it. Cadencelovesfootball players. She will eat right out of your hand.”
He eyes me warily, and I smirk. Shaking his head, he says, “Fucker, now I’m not gonna go ask her.”
“Maybe stick to the cheer squad. At least they’ll be at the party. They don’t care as long as you have a football jersey on. They will play with your little dick.”
“Fuck you, it’s not little.”
I wiggle my pinkie finger at him and watch as his face grows red. It’s so easy to mess with Emerson.
He flips me the bird and runs toward the stands. I see him waving up at Mila and the girls. Hell, maybe he’s asking Cadence to the party later. But then I see Mila’s smile as she purses her lips and blows him a kiss. All three of them do.
He comes back with a huge, stupid smile. I shove him, and he laughs.
“Oh…I got me a Mila kiss. And Cadence and…fuck, um…”
I cross my arms over my chest; he hasn’t a clue what her name is.
“What’s the purple-haired one’s name?”
