Page 45 of The Second Kiss
“We’ve all seen what an overdramatic little actress you can be when you want to be.” This comes from one of Brad’s friends. The smirk in his eyes is the same expression he wore at the party.
My body goes cold. Suddenly, I feel duped by all of this. I was so caught up in the game that I didn’t realize everyone was laughing at me. I’m humiliated and angry and wet and sore, and I just want to leave the game and go home.
Brad’s voice in my ear is placating. “It just needs to be a little slip, a fall on your bad wrist right in front of him. Extra points if you bring him down."
I turn and lock eyes with Brad. “I can do that.”
“Good girl.” He runs his hand down my back and smacks my butt as we break. I turn to tell him where to get off, but he's already trotting to the other side of the field. I'm seething, but I let it go.
For now.
We move into a play we've run a few times today. Brad fades back with the ball. The rest of the guys block for him. I pretend to look for an opening, like I’m going to run to catch a pass. Tyler shadows my every move. I dart back and forth, just out of his reach. Jacob shakes off his block and heads for Brad, going for the sack.
Brad catches my eye, and I know it’s time to make my move. I run for the goal, glancing over my shoulder first at Jacob and then at Brad. Brad cocks back his arm like he’s going to throwme a pass. Jacob looks back at me. Right on cue, I pretend to slip and let out a bloodcurdling scream.
Jacob switches direction. “Jess!”
I’m on my feet before anyone knows what’s happening. Brad, oblivious to the world, plows toward the goal. I dart in front of him and dive for his legs. He doesn’t see me until it’s too late. He crashes into me. We’re a bundle of flailing arms and legs. The football breaks loose and bounces down the field.
“Get it, Jacob!” I yell.
Jacob stares at me in confusion. My baby brother is quicker. Tyler scoops up the ball and runs into the end zone to score the winning touchdown.
We’ve lost, I'm pretty sure I'm actually hurt, and I’m tangled up with an incredibly pissed-off Brad. He looms over me. Hot, angry breath fills my ear. “What the hell was that?”
I extricate myself from him and roll free. I stand, toss my head in his direction, and do my best not to show the pain that sparks through every inch of my body.
“Maybe you forgot. The score doesn’t count if you cheat.”
twenty-two
Poker Face
After dinner, everyone sprawls out around the living room to watch football. Except for me. I’m watching Jacob. I wanted to take the place on the couch next to him, but Matt and Kendra beat me to it. They arrived just in time for pie. While they watch the game, Jake gives Matt tips on basic training. He’ll be leaving at the end of January. He took Jake’s advice and joined the Army to get money for school. Mom isn't thrilled about the idea, but there’s not much she can do about it.
“Run. A lot,” Jacob says. “No matter how good of shape you are in, plan on being sore and don’t take what the drill sergeantsays personally. It’s not personal. He’s just trying to make you into a soldier.”
Listening to them makes me depressed. The idea of Matt going to basic training leaves a pit in my stomach that's too big even for the whole of Thanksgiving dinner to fill. It’s possible I might miss my brother. It was bad enough he was only here for about half of this Thanksgiving. I glance around at my family—my parents, my brothers, Kendra, and even Jacob. It hits me that this cozy scene is just a few months away from dissolving into real life—Matt in the Army, me leaving for college. Time is slipping through my fingers like sand I can't hold on to.
Jacob must see something in my expression because when he gets up to get another piece of pie, he touches my shoulder. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just..." but I can't explain to him what I'm feeling, "tired. Somebody woke me up early to play football." I exaggerate a yawn in my brother's direction, but Matt is too busy snuggling into Kendra's neck to notice.
The football game ends. Dad switches off the TV, and Mom heads to the cupboard to retrieve the cards for our post-Thanksgiving poker game.
I groan as I realize Jacob is going to be dragged into one of our strangest family traditions. "I'm sitting this one out," I say.
“No way. I have a pile of dirty clothes in my bedroom with your name on it.” Tyler is the first to move to the table.
“Maybe you'd like to take my turn with the dishes for the next month,” I reply.
“You'll both have to beat me first.” Matt laces his fingers with Kendra's and joins Tyler and Dad at the table. The sibling rivalry that came up during the football game simmers to the surface again.
“What are Jake and Kendra going to bet? They don't live here,” Tyler asks.
"Oh, I have some ideas," Kendra gives Matt a coy smile. Obviously, he filled her in on what's coming.
“Hold on.” Jacob looks confused as he pulls out the chair next to mine. “I thought I knew how to play poker, but it sounds like y’all have different rules.”
