Page 105 of Counter Bet

Emily’s easy smile falls away, and Rick looks over his shoulder as I approach their table with my heart in my throat.

“Hey.” My voice trembles. I try to read her face, but it’s a blank mask.

She sweeps her gaze from me to Ben and the others.

“Looking good,” Jack purrs, resting his arm on the back of Emily’s chair.

My cheeks flame. Images of our night together flash through my mind.

“Can we help you?” Jamie asks, looking at us in disgust. Raking his eyes over April’s scuffed combat boots and leather skirt, he scoffs dismissively.

I fist my hands by my sides and bite back the retort on my tongue.

“Don’t be a dick!” Hailey glares at him.

He glowers at her suspiciously.

“I’ll see you guys later.” Emily smiles at her friends and rises from her chair, but Jack pulls her down on his lap.

Ben stiffens next to me.

“Chill, man,” Matt whispers under his breath.

“Looking a little green there, dude,” Jack says to Ben. He skims his fingers underneath the hem of Emily’s skirt and winks.

She doesn’t stop him.

Jealousy pours off Ben in waves. He shifts tensely next to me as Jack leans in to whisper in Emily’s ear.

She laughs, then stands back up and gestures to the door. “You want to talk? Let’s go.”

* * *

We find an empty classroom further down the hallway. Ben walks in first with Emily close on his heels.

I close the door behind us.

Laughter filters in through the open window.

“I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your messages. I needed time,” Emily says, wrapping her arms around herself protectively, eyes trained on her heel scuffing against the floor.

Ben points at the door, his jaw tight. “What the fuck was that? You like Jack now?”

“Calm down, Ben!” I say, looking at him pointedly. Emotions are running high. I know how torn up he’s been over the other night, but he’ll push her away if he doesn’t reel in his temper.

“You have nothing to worry about. Jack and I are just friends.”

He scoffs, shaking his head. “You sure looked cozy.”

Emily laughs bitterly, but it soon dies. “I don’t need this,” she whispers in disbelief to herself, then pokes Ben in the chest. “You don’t know me at all if you think I would tell you I love you and then go fuck someone else.”

He grinds his jaw, clenching his hands by his sides. “Careful, princess.”

She narrows her eyes, but then the fire fizzles out, and she looks down at the floor.

A heavy silence descends on the room.

Her shoulders slump. She takes a step away from Ben. “I don’t think I can do this. I feel too much! You said it yourselves that we can’t all be together next year, so we shouldn’t let ourselves fall any deeper than we already have.”

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