Page 68 of Counter Bet

Ben did this? My cheeks hurt from smiling. I go to put my books in my locker and pause when I notice something else—a small pair of binoculars with another handwritten note on top. I pick up the folded piece of paper.

All the better to see me with.

- Little Red Riding Hood.

I laugh and reach in for the binoculars.

I’m falling for Ben. It’s the only reasonable explanation for my racing heart and this happy giddiness inside of me. He will break my heart if I’m not careful.

I use some spare sticky tack to stick the photograph next to the one I have of Ben dyeing his hair.

Why is he doing this? Sneaking photographs and binoculars into my locker. Why go through all of this trouble?

I’m deep in thought as I close my locker. I don’t notice the presence next to me until I turn to leave and come face to face with Jack.

He’s leaning on the locker next to mine.

I hitch my bag up higher on my shoulder. “God, Jack. You startled me!”

He pushes off the locker and cages me in with his big hands beside my head.

I catch a whiff of his cologne. “What are you doing?” I would lie if I said I’m not affected by his nearness.

I am.

He ignores my question. “There’s a get-together at mine on Friday after the game. You should come.” His jade eyes have specks of hazel in them. I never noticed before.

“I’ll have to let you know, Jack.”

He steps closer, pressing his hard body against mine. “Come on, Em. Don’t do this to me. Let me take you out.”

He’s gone before I have a chance to reply. Ben pushed him hard with his shoulder when he walked past.

He turns, and his brown eyes find me briefly before they’re back on Jack.

My heart does summersaults as I take him in. His ripped jeans fit him to perfection, and the definition in his arms is on full display in a band t-shirt with its sleeves cut out.

He holds his hands up placatingly. “Sorry, dude. My bad. Didn’t see you there.” He doesn’t look apologetic at all as he turns on his heel and continues down the corridor.

“Fucking prick!” Jack mutters, but I don’t wait around for him to corner me again.

* * *

“That was very good,” I praise. “I think we should practice the basket toss a couple more times. I want the timing to be sharper between Jen and Amy. Take five. Have a drink of water.”

“Looks like you have an audience,” Hailey comments next to me as she unscrews the lid on her water bottle.

I take a sip of mine, glancing at Dallas and Steph on the bleachers. It means a lot to me that they’re here after last night. I shrug and place the bottle back on the floor next to my bag. “We’ve been hanging out.”

Hailey chokes on her water. She wipes her chin. “You’ve been hanging out with the emo kids?”

I throw her a sharp look. “You don’t need to be rude, Hailey.”

She scoffs, crossing her arms. “But why, Em?”

I can’t believe I have to justify myself. “They’re nice, Hailey.”

“Nice?” she huffs. “They do drugs and get into fights. They’re trouble, Em.”

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