Page 55 of Quarterback Sneak

Her eyes widen in surprise. “Seriously?” I nod, thankful we’re finally getting somewhere. “Wait ‘til I get my hands on him.” She shakes her head. “He’s an idiot.” I neither deny nor confirm her description. “I’ll talk to him. That was stupid to do, but I don’t think it’s enough to break up with him over.”

My jaw drops. “I do.”

“Come on, Evie. Just forgive him,” she pushes.

Determination fills me. “I appreciate your advice, Sam; but you weren’t there. You didn’t hear the things he said to me. You don’t have to agree, but this is what I’m going to do.”

“Whatever.” She throws up her hand and disappears into the bathroom.

I call Jace one last time, hoping to connect; but he doesn't answer. Part of me just wants to leave a voicemail and be done with the whole thing, but I’m not that person. I don’t want to do that to him, so I’ll have to wait until he calls me back or I see him next...whichever happens first.

____________

I don’t know how you can go an entire week of classes without answering your phone or seeing someone, but somehow, Jace does it. I’ve given up on the whole thing. I’m hoping that he’s done with me. I’ve already moved on.

“Are you ready?” Tessa asks as she barrels into my room. She stops suddenly. “Do you have no team spirit?”

“Hey.” I point to my hat.

She scoffs and leaves my room without a word. I don’t have any idea what she’s doing, but I know she’ll be back. She comes back a moment later and throws something at me. “Catch.”

I catch the shirt she threw at me. “Thanks.”

“It will probably be a little big on you.”

I pull off the shirt I’m wearing and pull hers over my head. “I’m taller than you,” I remind her.

“Yeah, and my chest is larger than yours.”

“Hey now.”

She grins at me. “It’s just a fact, not a put-down. But you look good.” I put my hat back on and pull my ponytail through the back.

“Ready?” I ask.

She nods. “Do you have the tickets?”

“I do. Zane sent them to my phone yesterday. Stephanie’s still going right?”

“She’s meeting us there.” We start down the hallway, and I can’t help but notice that literally every person we pass is decked in Barracudas’ colors. “I still can’t believe Zane got tickets for all three of us.”

“I know.”

“I’m so glad you get to go to the game with me,” Tessa tells me as we join the groups of students walking across campus to the game. There’s yelling and chaos before we even get there, and I can’t help but smile. It feels good to be a part of all of it.

“Yeah, I’m glad my shift was this morning, so I can go.” I try not to think of all the classwork I have still to do. I’ll get to that when I can.

By the time we finally get through security and to our seats, the team is already warming up on the field. I scan the players, looking for Zane. “He’s over there,” Tessa says, pointing towards their bench. I don’t even try to pretend I don’t know who she’s talking about. She frowns. “Did he get injured in the last game?”

We both watch as one of the team’s staff does something with his hand. Concern floods me. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him all week.” I turn to her. “Will he be able to play?”

“He’d probably still play even if his hand was broken.” She sees my wide eyes and rushes to add, “His hand’s not broken. You would have heard; we all would have heard if it was.” She pats my hand. “Relax; your boy’s fine.”

“He’s not mine.”

“Whatever you tell yourself.”

I still haven’t taken my eyes off Zane, even though it’s a little hard to see him from here. The guys leave the field, and we prepare for a great game. Nerves hit me, and I don’t even know why. I’m really looking forward to this game, though. I’ve spent what little time I have researching the rules and trying to understand the game. I’m anxious to see how well it pays off today. Stephanie finally joins us and sits on Tessa’s other side.