CHAPTER 77
JESS
My head was spinning, but it wasn’t just from the fall. Everything felt like it was unraveling at once. The lingering ache in my skull was nothing compared to the mess of emotions churning inside me. Luke’s words kept echoing in my mind, refusing to be ignored.
“You don’t have a date anyway,” Luke’s words rang through my headache. Where did he get off messing with me?
Tom had asked me to prom. We’d made plans. So why would Luke say something like that? It didn’t make sense, but then again… where had Tom been when I’d faceplanted on the tarmac?
The entire team was on the field, and the quarterback was missing. Isn’t he supposed to be like the captain of the team or something? It was a bit strange. My mind raced through the events of the day, trying to piece together the missing parts.
I walked out of the final period, determined to find Sam and tell her about Laura. But as I scanned the hall, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Tom coming toward me. There was something off about how he was moving, like dragging his feet or carrying some kind of weight. My stomach twisted with unease. Was Luke right? Did I no longer have a date?
Before I could say anything, Tom was dipped, scooping me up in a hug that felt a little too tight, a little too desperate. Then,
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without warning, he kissed me deeply.
It wasn’t a bad kiss. It was… nice. But that was the problem. It wasn’t earth–shattering or electric. It didn’t make my heart race. or my skin tingle. It was just… safe. Comfortable. The kind of kiss that felt more like a habit than a spark.
When Tom pulled back, he studied my face, his eyes scanning me like he was assessing the damage. “Jess, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you fell.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I mean, my pride is still on the track, but physically, I’m fine.“I reassure him with a smile.
I blinked, trying to shake off the odd feeling that had settled over me. “Where were you?”
Tom’s grin returned, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “I got drafted for a varsity team!”
The news didn’t make sense to me, but based on Tom’s grin, was it good news?“Tom, that’s amazing!” I said, genuinely happy for him, not that I knew why. I guess it makes sense; varsity football while you are still in school is probably one step up from the big leagues.
He leaned in again, kissing me with that same enthusiasm, but this time, I braced myself, focusing really hard to feel something -anything. A spark, a tingle, some sign that this was right. But it didn’t come.
Shit.
As he pulled back, his face suddenly fell, and he shoved his hand nervously through his tousled blond hair. The change in his
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demeanor sent a cold shiver down my spine.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Tom took both my hands in his, holding them tightly as if he were afraid to let go. “Jess, I… I can’t make prom.”
My heart skipped a beat, and not in a good way. “What? Why?”
I focussed on Tom, but my mind went right back to Luke. That asshole knew, and he didn’t tell me. Or maybe he tried, but still… I ground my teeth, forcing my exterior to remain placid while I was raging inside.
“I need to be at training for the new team. They’re counting on me, and I can’t afford not to be there, especially since I just got drafted.” His voice was laced with regret.
My heart sank. I didn’t want to go to prom in the first place, and then a tiny part of me got excited about it. Now, I’m back to not going to prom again, and I’m okay with that. Laura and Sam can tell me all about it.
Bonus: I don’t have to see Tiffany draped across Luke. So, really, it’s a win for me–or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
I forced a smile, trying to hide the disappointment that was clawing at my insides. “It’s okay, Tom. I get it. This is important. This is your future. It’s not really a choice. It just is what it is. I will be just fine, I promise. My feet don’t do well in high heels anyway.” I shrugged and gave him a small smile, trying my best to hide the disappointment that was coiling in my stomach.
Tom stepped forward and dragged his finger across my cheek, brushing away a stray hair, then leaned in for another kiss. This
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one was chaste.
A thank you for not losing my sh
