Page 92 of My Scorned Best Friend

“I GUESS THAT MEANT I HAVE YOUR FAMILY’S BLESSING.”

Xavier

Clara is still in the office when I receive a text message from Ben.

Ben: You really are a lucky bastard.

There’s a link attached that I click on, and an article pops up.

The real life of the star quarterback’s best friend.

“Shit, guys. Clara wrote her own reply.” I copy and paste the link to both Cade and Presley’s emails.

Then I read the article.

Other than his family, I’ve known Xavier Greene the longest in his life. We were only in kindergarten when our friendship started. Two innocent little kids. He loved playing football because his older brothers played, and I loved to play house. We had nothing in common, yet we always gravitated toward one another. We were both teased, and many didn’t believe we could only be platonic friends.

To many in this world, he is Xavier Greene, Kingsmen starting quarterback. The hot football player who got the big contract. The man who’s dated one of the most beautiful women in the world. But to me…

He’s the first boy I loved.

He’s my first crush.

He’s my first kiss.

He’s my first dance partner.

He’s the one who kept me standing while I watched my mom’s body lowered into the ground.

He’s the one who stayed with me for weeks afterward until I could function.

He’s the one constant in my life.

Some people will look at me the same way Mark Roper did and only see a small-town librarian. A girl who never fled from her hometown to gain some real-life experience. A girl who enjoys reading, eating sweets, and watching her best friend play the game he loves. A girl on the sidelines. It’s a simple life to most.

My best friend pleaded with me to join him in San Francisco years ago, and I declined that invitation because I’m not a big city girl. I was made for small-town living. I like knowing my neighbors and being part of a community. So judge if you will, but what I always find funny is that most of you are just like me. Most of you won’t ever grace the pages of a magazine, or play professional sports, or have a celebrity makeup artist and stylist. But why should one of us not get the chance to be with someone like Xavier? After all, I’ve been his first kiss, his first dance partner, and I held his hand when his mom died too. Our lives are so intertwined not even Mark and his cynical words can unravel them.

So yeah, I’m not a model, but I am worthy and I’m comfortable with that because my best friend, boyfriend, and lover looks at me like I’m his entire world.

I stand from the couch and head to my office.

“We’re gonna go,” Cade says.

“Sure thing. Congrats.” I wave.

“Congrats for what?” Cade asks Presley.

“I was just starting to like you!” Presley calls.

“Presley?” Cade asks as I open the office door. I don’t hear Presley’s response, but he shouts, “Shut up! That’s awesome!”

Clara is sitting on the floor with her legs crossed, biting her nails. “So? Did Presley tell Cade something?”

“That she’s pregnant? Yeah. I sort of forced her into it.” I cringe and sit on the floor with her.

“How did you know?”

“Because why else would she be so distraught and not go straight to my brother? Plus, I see her sleep deprivation. It wouldn’t be ideal right now. But she’ll be happy.”

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