Page 29 of Counter Bet

“Can I come over tonight?” Rick asks, stroking his fingers through my hair.

I tear my gaze away from Dallas and her friends. I’ve spent the last half an hour of my lunch break imagining what it would be like to sit at their table.

Rick looks apologetic. It’s been over a week since he climbed my trellis. I’m pent up with sexual frustration and fed up with him avoiding me.

“Sure,” I reply. I pick up my discarded fork and stab a fry.

I want to see him. Of course I do…

He threads his fingers through mine below the table and leans in, stealing a kiss before I have a chance to eat the fry. His attention is reassuring, but I still can’t shift the unease inside me when I catch Dallas watching us.

My phone vibrates next to my plate on the table.

Dallas: Tell me another secret.

I look up from my phone. Dallas is engaged in conversation with Steph while Matt twirls a strand of Steph’s curly hair around his finger.

I tap my nail on my phone, debating what to reply. My friends are too busy talking to pay attention to me as I type out a quick response.

Me: I hide behind a mask.

I hit send.

I fidget with the hem of my skirt while I wait for her reply, but it never comes.

The bell rings, but still nothing.

“Em?” Rick holds out his letterman jacket for me, so I push my chair back and stand up.

“Thanks,” I say when it’s on, and he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

I don’t look back as we walk out.

* * *

Hailey drops down in her seat next to me with a heavy sigh as we wait for the teacher to enter the classroom. “I just want this day to be over,” she whines. “Practice is going to be a bitch later, no offense. I don’t know how you came up with this new routine, Em. It’s good. Really good! I just hope we’re ready for Friday’s away game.”

“We will be. We’ve practiced hard.”

Dallas walks past to sit in the back next to Steph. I follow her with my eyes.

“What’s up with that?”

I tear my gaze away from her ass.

Hailey nudges her head at Dallas.

“What’s up with what?” I frown.

Hailey rolls her eyes. “Em, you’re staring at her. Is something going on?”

I reach for my bag and get my books out. “How are things with you and Jamie?” I’m deflecting. Hailey loves to talk about herself. Ask her a question, and she can gladly talk your ear off.

She grins, leaning in conspiratorially. “His parents invited me along to stay with them at their estate in the Hamptons this summer. I think we’re getting serious.”

My eyebrows hit my hairline. Jamie is a player, so it must be serious if he’s okay with his parents inviting her over for the summer. “Hailey, that’s great news!”

She beams. “I know, right! You need to come with me to shop for new bikinis and dresses. I need to look fantastic!”

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