Chapter Sixteen
Tyler
Me: Ever get so excited about something that every fiber inside u is electric?
Shit. I probably shouldn’t have sent that. She’ll probably think I’m half mad or a total dipshit. Hell, she probably read the message and is now thinking, “Wow good call on the no personal stuff.”
My phone jiggles in my palm and a smile breaks across my face. Then it falls as soon as I see it’s not her.
Jared: You’ve got to keep me from killing him.
Me: Dude. Go over 2 Juliet n tell her u’re in love with her then make a move.
Jared: I can’t, okay? I can’t do that yet. But so help me I’m gonna smash his face in.
Me: U need 2 calm down. He’s not even worth it. I know we’re all friends. He’s goin 2 move on soon enough. Let it play out.
Jared: I don’t want it to play out anymore.
Right as I’m texting him back another message comes.
Faye: Yes. I get like that when I finish a routine. One that took weeks to get down.
Me: A routine? What do u do that has routines?
I already know, but I need proof.
Faye: Cheer.
Me: Hmm I’d like 2 see that. Since I don’t know what u look like though I’ll have 2 pic it using the type of grls I like. Sry.
Jared: Dude I srsly need 2 get out of here. Just 4 10 mins.
Faye: What kind of girls would that be? Please don’t say busty.
Me to Jared: On my way.
Me to Faye: Dark hair, green eyes, beautiful smile, smart, n full of life. If they have long legs I’m a total goner.
Shit! I probably shouldn’t have said all that. Oh well. It’s out there. It’s not like she’s ever going to figure out I’m the one texting her.
As I am heading toward the doors leading to the parking lot, I slam into someone. I reach out and right them quickly before they hit the ground. Her deep mossy-green eyes gaze up into mine then she scrunches her nose. “Ugh! Watch where you’re going,” Layla snaps.
“Where I’m going? You’ve got just as much blame here, sweetheart. I shouldn’t have been checking my phone and walking, but what the hell is your excuse?” I know I sound like a real asshole right now, but this is not text Layla I’m talking to. It’s the one who loathes my very existence for some reason. The one who always has to be a complete bitch to me.
“My excuse? I don’t need one.”
“Oh, right. I keep forgetting. The high and mighty Princess Layla is walking the halls; that means we should all part and let her pass.”
“Go to hell, Tyler. You don’t know shit about me.” She shoves me and stomps down the hall.
I should stop texting her right now. I slip out the doors and head to my Jeep. Jared is seething next to it.
“You all right?”
“No. I’m not. Get me out of here before I murder my teammate.”
I unlock the doors and hop in. “You know he’s also your friend?”
“Right now, he’s an asswipe who’s pissing me the hell off. If he talks about how long it’s going to take him to nail Juliet in the locker room ever again he will lose more than limbs,” Jared snaps.
I definitely have to get him out of here before he changes his mind and murders our wide receiver.
At the lake, we sit on one of the empty benches. I smack his arm. “You feeling any better? I kind of don’t want to skip the rest of the day, man. We do have a game tonight. And I don’t want to run laps before it either.”
Jared sighs. “Why did he have to pick her? I mean … I’m trying to be cool with this. I am. Because he’s not a total dick, and if she’s happy then I’m happy. But why did he have to pick her?”
“To piss you off. Think about it. He’s jealous. Always has been. Your dad’s our coach. Where’s his dad? Out of the picture. He’s probably going to go to a third string college. We’re going to be at the top division one schools. No doubts about that. I’m not defending his actions; don’t for one second think I am. I’m just saying stand in his shoes.”
“I know what you’re saying, and I have. Every freaking day this week I’ve tried to look at this from his view. It’s just … she’s only thing that brightens my day. And now I have to watch my friend make her happy. The whole thing makes me want to hurt him.”
“Still. He is your teammate and your friend. You’ve got to suck it up.”
Jared growls and throws a stone into the lake. “You’re right. Let’s head back.”
“You sure? You’re good? No murdering tendencies in there?”
He laughs. “I’m good. Thanks Tyler.”
“Anytime. Let’s catch the bell before fifth starts.” We hop back into my Jeep and I drive us back to school.
The rest of my day goes the same as usual. Nothing exciting, no drama. But most of all no Layla biting my head off for no reason.