Page 35 of The Love Rematch
“How is this relevant to my dates tomorrow?”
“Like I said, I want some more information, so I can be sure I’m picking the right guys for you.”
“Sure.” Her eyebrows rise so high they may detach from her face and start to fly. “I’m sure that’s the reason.”
“What other reason would I have?”
“Why don’t you tell me,Jackson?”
“Just Jake.”
She snorts and turns her face to the side. But recognition flashes in her honey eyes before she can hide it. As she pulls her lower lip between her teeth, he knows that night is running through her thoughts, the same way it is for him.
Still, she doesn’t say what he wants her to.
The reason he was teasing.
The reason he brought them here.
To hearOkay, Just Jake.
To hear her admit that she remembers, that maybe somewhere deep inside she also misses the way they used to be, that they were good together once.
Instead, she snaps, “Never mind. Surprise me.”
She turns to go.
Jake stands, a rubber band recoiling. He’s being an asshole. It’s not her fault she’s here. It’s actually his fault entirely.
“Wait, Em—”
“Emily.” She stops and spins on her heels to face him, wrath personified. “My name is Emily. And you know what? You’re right. I didn’t cheer in high school. I wasn’t the type. I couldn’t have cared less about football. My first boyfriend was the school loner. He wanted to be a director, a bit like you actually. And you know what he taught me? Even the nerdy boys can break your heart, so you might as well date the ones with muscles and enjoy yourself.”
He should admit defeat.
He should apologize.
He should relent.
Instead, he puffs up his chest. “You want meatheads?”
“Bring ’em on.”
“Okay. Kevin and Tony are my picks.”
“Great.”
“Great.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
With a proud lilt of her chin, she stomps away. He tracks her across the field, not looking away, not blinking, until another voice comes through his comm.
