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Page 34 of Write Me For You

Understanding exactly what she meant, I went into the bathroom, locked the door, and just breathed.

I closed my eyes, trying to push away the image of that girl with her arms around Jesse.

I loathed jealousy. It was a toxic emotion, but it was like seeing all my fears about our differences come true.

I went to the sink and washed my hands. I stared at my face, determined to not slip back into negative thoughts about myself or my appearance. I gave myself an internal pep talk, then went to leave, just as I heard, “I have no idea how they’re together.”

“Sheridan said they were at the same hospital or something, fighting cancer. That’s how they got together.” Every muscle in my body froze.

Me.

They were talking about me and Jesse.

“Explains the limp,” one of them said, laughing cruelly, making my heart fall.

“And the godawful hair extensions,” another said, and despite my best intentions, tears built in my eyes.

“Let’s be honest,” the first girl said, “if they weren’t trauma-bonded, he wouldn’t look at her twice.

Jesse Taylor is gorgeous. An eleven out of ten.

She’s a five at best. I guarantee he’s only with her because he feels bad about dumping her after they made it out alive.

It’s sad really. By the way he played today, he is going places. He won’t stay with her for long.”

I felt as though I’d been punched in my sternum. My heart beat a million miles an hour, and every insecurity I carried was brought to the fore. I had survived terminal cancer. We had won. Yet I was still susceptible to cruel words. At times, the world could be such a nasty place.

Placing my shaking hand on the door handle, I opened the door only to be faced with the same girls from the kitchen who had been glaring my way. Their mouths dropped as I came out. I cursed my limp as I walked past them, desperate to keep my head high.

“Bitches,” Sydney hissed as she took hold of my hand. “If you had any idea of what she’s been through, you’d be groveling for forgiveness. And as for Jesse, you’re just jealous that he worships the ground she walks on and won’t give your skanky asses the time of day.”

Tears began to spill down my cheeks. I just wanted to leave. I wiped my face, leaving behind no evidence that I was upset, and once we got downstairs, I searched for Jesse in the crowd.

“What do you want to do?” Sydney asked, rubbing my back.

“Let’s just go,” I said, and headed to the front door. When we were outside, in the house’s driveway, I said, “Don’t tell him what happened, please.”

“Why not?” she asked. “He’ll want to make sure you’re okay and give those girls a piece of his mind.”

“No,” I rushed out. “I want him to enjoy this night. He deserves it, Syd. You have no idea how much.” My mind took me to the days he’d fought to rebuild his strength. He’d worked tirelessly to be fit enough to play this season.

Today had been the culmination of all that effort.

“You know none of what they said was true, don’t you?” Sydney said, then grabbed my hands. “June? I need you to believe me. You’re gorgeous, and they’re just bitter and jealous that you’re better, kinder and more beautiful than they could ever dream to be.”

“I love you, Syd,” I said, hugging her, thankful for her support. She had sliced through those girls with her words to defend me. The only problem was they had sliced through me with their words too—with perfect precision.

“Junebug?” Jesse’s voice sailed out of the house as he came through the front door.

I moved away from Sydney, making sure I was pulled together, and gave him a smile.

“Where did you go?” he said, coming over to me. He searched my face, his eyes narrowing.

“I just needed fresh air.” I hitched my thumb over my shoulder. “I think I’m gonna head home though. I’m tired.”

Jesse paled, and he swallowed. “Is it because that girl touched me? I swear I pushed her off me, June.” He cupped my face, and I wanted to cry.

He was such a good person, but as I stood here, a house of football players and fans behind us, me and Syd on the outside, I couldn’t help but see the obvious divide.

“I trust you, Jesse. You know that.” I did. Without fail.

“Has something happened?” His voice was tinged with worry. “Junebug?”

“No, honestly. This,” I said, gesturing to the house, the party, “it’s just not my thing, baby. But you should stay. Enjoy your night, your win.”

“I’m not staying without you,” he said empathically.

“I’m going home to bed,” I said. “We both are.” I pointed to Sydney. “You should stay. Bond with your team. It’s a big day for y’all.”

I could read the conflict on Jesse’s face. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” I kissed him again.

Jesse tried to search my face. He knew I was holding something back, but I would not spoil this for him. “You sure?” he asked, just as Sheridan called his name from the door.

“Don’t drink too much,” I said, and that same wash of fear I tried to keep down deep inside rose to the surface.

“I haven’t touched a drop,” Jesse said, a soft smile on his face. “I just hold the beer and drink water when no one is looking.”

“You’d better go,” I said when I saw Sheridan was still waiting.

Jesse hesitated, then said, “Good night, Junebug.”

I fought back tears, as I said, “Sleep tight.”

Sydney linked her arm in mine and led me back to the dorm.

Jesse and I would get through this; I knew we would. We were meant to be, soulmates. I just had to ignore that fissure of doubt that had appeared in my heart—and the internal scars those girls’ word had caused.

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