Fallen Crest High

Lydia nodded. "We heard that Ashley slept with one of the Kade brothers. Adam found out and dumped her. It was real and public, at Kara's bonfire last night. I was front and center."

"She was."

"You were?"

"I was. It was awesome. Adam was all grrr and 'I thought we meant something to you,' and she was all, 'I did, but a girl can only do what a girl can do.' It was awesome. Totally. I wish that happened at every bonfire."

"You should've been there."

"Yeah," I deadpanned. "I should've been."

"So where were you?" Jessica asked, but both of their faces turned to blank masks as they stared at me.

"What?"

"Where were you? We went to your house, but no one was there. Lincoln said that your dad was at some conference over the weekend. Did you go with?"

"I had family commitments this weekend." I lifted my shoulders. "I wasn't supposed to say anything."

Lydia leaned closer. "It's football confidential?"

"Yeah."

Jessica frowned. "Really?"

"Really. My dad would get mad. I wasn't even supposed to say anything."

"Oh." Lydia looked at Jessica. "They do play Public this week. He might've gone to a conference for more pointers. That team is good, really good."

I clenched my jaw and my fingers tightened around my books. "What are you talking about?"

"Mason Kade." Lydia gave me a 'duh' look. "He's the star of that team. I heard Adam Quinn talking to Mark Decraw that he thought Kade can go pro some day. I'm not sure about Logan, but they were mainly focused on Mason. I think he's scared of him. He's the one that tackles, right? He can sack Adam the whole game, right?"

Jessica and I frowned at her.

Lydia rolled her eyes. "That's what I heard anyway, that Adam's scared of Mason Kade."

My fingers clenched tighter around the books and my knuckles went white. I was so sick of hearing about the Kade brothers, either of them. And I tried to remember if it'd always been like this, but I had never cared.

I was grateful when my class started and I tried to avoid Lydia and Jess the rest of the day. Bonus, no one else seemed interested in me. I didn't pick up any extra buzz about my dad so I was safe to bet that he hadn't spilled the beans. Everybody was more interested in the Double A break up, Ashley and Adam.

The week passed uneventful. Lydia informed me on Wednesday that the Double A team was still broken up and Adam had been spotted by Nancy Burgess's locker that morning. Jessica made a disgusted sound and stomped away. I thought I heard a few curse words, but wasn't sure. Probably.

And I met Jeff for pizza that night. He liked the buffet, I liked the salad bar.

"You need a ride home?" he asked as we went back to the parking lot.

"Nope. I drove, remember?"

A look passed over him. "Yeah, about that—why did you drive? I usually pick you up."

I shrugged as we came to my car. "I'm going to Lydia's after this. It makes sense."

"Oh. Okay…" His frown never left and then he leaned in for a kiss.

I breathed out as our lips touched and felt his hand cup my cheek. His lips were soft and he didn't apply pressure. As his thumb stroked my cheek, I let out a soft moan.

Jeff smiled and rested his forehead against mine. "That was nice, huh?"

"We've been doing this for three years. It should feel nice."

He chuckled and kissed me again. This time he was more insistent, harder. I leaned back against my car and Jeff pressed against me. His hand tilted my head up and his kiss grew more demanding. When his tongue swept in, I pulled away.

"What?"

"What do you mean 'what'?" I pushed him back. "I don't want to make out on the street."

He rolled his eyes. "What do you expect? Is this why you drove here, so you wouldn't have to kiss me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on, Sam. We used to be hot and heavy, but last couple months you're ice cold."

"I didn't think you cared. You've been so distracted lately." I bit my tongue.

His mouth clamped shut. "What are you talking about?"

I took in the storm in his eyes, how his jaw was clenched and the stiffness of his shoulders. And something gave way in me. This wasn't a fight I wanted right now. At least, this wasn't the fight that I wanted.

I glanced away. "Nothing. It doesn't matter."

He touched the back of my elbow. "Hey, what doesn't matter?"

I didn't look back, but some tension left me at the softness of his voice.

"You think I'm cheating on you?"

I met his gaze now. "It's nothing, Jeff. I've got a lot on my mind."

"Like what?"

"Like how I need to get going. My mom's been on a rampage about family time . The longer I'm at Lydia's the later I'll be. You know what she's like."

He still frowned, but nodded. "Yeah, okay. You want me to pick you up for school tomorrow?"

"I'm good. I've got a car."

"That's not the point, Sam."

"I know." I didn't care.

He sighed and turned away. "You're kinda being a bitch, you know."

As I watched him go, I stood there. I knew I was being a bitch, that wasn't the problem. Then I sighed when my phone vibrated. Lydia wanted me to hurry so I got in the car and drove over.

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