Page 197 of Dear Love, I Hate You (Easton High)

“Bullshit! You have me,” he counters.

His beautiful illusions rip me apart. Burdened by my realistic mindset, I separate his hands from my face.

“Do I?” I confront him with the facts.

Xavier clamps his lips together, and I know, as much as he wants to argue, he can’t.

Because I’m right.

I don’t have him.

I never did.

He’s about to speak when loud microphone feedback lacerates the air. My gaze darts to the elevated platform planted across the backyard. A man I recognize to be Xavier’s coach is up on the center of the stage, tapping a microphone that’s mounted on a stand as he prepares for a speech.

Theo pops up behind us. “Go sit your ass down, man. Coach is calling player of the season in a few.” He shakes Xav’s shoulder and saunters toward the rows of chairs reserved for the varsity team before the podium.

The cheer squad and most of the basketball team are already seated, the rest of the guests constrained to stand up as they wait for the “ceremony” to begin.

Sure enough, the next second, Coach Diaz says, “Calling all basketball players over here, please.”

When he says all players, he means Xav. He’s the only one still missing in action. I catch Brie staring jealousy-laced bullets at us from the third row.

Good.

Take a picture, bitch.

Xavier’s eyes lock with mine, his aqua irises charged with frustration, regret, fear.

“Shit, I have to go.”

“Go kill it.” I muster a weak smile.

I let out a small gasp when Xav takes my head into his hands and plants a kiss on my forehead. No hesitation. He just did that, in front of everyone, knowing damn well they were staring.

“This isn’t over,” Xav promises.

I nod, but inside, I’m thinking…

Yes, it is.

I watch as Xavier walks away from me and go join Dia in the crowd. She smiles when she sees me, but her joy fades as soon as she notices the water pooling in my eyes.

She has the good sense of not asking me about it, linking our arms together for emotional support. The speech kicks off with the guys’ coach thanking everyone for being here and kissing Finn’s father’s ass for hosting the thing.

Coach Diaz rambles on about his career and what drove him to Easton and coaching the Stallions for twenty minutes straight before cutting to the point.

“Anyway, enough about me. I think it’s time we acknowledge our brightest star, don’t you?”

There isn’t a single person in the backyard that doesn’t clap.

Probably because they’re glad he’s done.

“I know we do this every year, but, let me tell you, this part never gets old.” Coach Diaz grabs something on the table set up behind him and lifts a cheap looking, golden plaque in the air for the crowd to admire. “Many of our guys played well this season, but one player in particular carried us to victory.”

Finn and Theo swat Xavier in the shoulder like two hyped-up kids, and I suppress a smile. Can’t believe I’m about to say this, but… I’m going to miss these idiots.

“He was outstanding on the court, never missed practice… Well, except one, but nobody’s perfect, eh?” Coach Diaz teases, and people’s laughter blends as one.