Page 30 of Side Out

His eyes follow her as she climbs the stands one by one. If looks could kill, she’d be falling over the railing any second now.

None of this is how I wanted him finding out about her. To be honest, I’m not sure I wanted him finding out at all. But I guess this is my karma coming to get me.

I just wish Jackson wasn’t caught in the crossfire.

Figure You Out - VOILÀ

CHAPTER18

SLEEPING DOGS

JACKSON

“So you guys are like all in love and shit now, huh?” I yell into Clay’s ear.

He downs another long swig of beer and smiles like a fucking god. “Yeah, man. We’re all in love and shit.”

And as annoyed as I am by the entire concept of love at this particular moment in life, I am wildly happy for my best friend.

He hasn’t had much love in his life, especially not from those who were supposed to love him most. But the family he’s found here has tried to fill that cup for him. And now that he has Rocky, it’s overflowing.

Clay deserves to have this kind of love. A love so deep and so pure it changes the very foundation of who you are.

Which is why, even in a crowded sports bar like Jack’s, the only person he has had his eye on since he got here is Rocky.

But that could also have something to do with the fact that they just won a national championship.

Champions and lovers… Wow, now I’m really jaded.

Clay must notice my facade slipping because his beaming smile dims for a moment. “Hey, you okay?”

I wave my hand at him. “I’m fine. Don’t you worry about me. Go. Go and enjoy your night.”

“Jax…”

“Clay, I’m fine. Really.”

And because he knows me best, he knows to leave it alone. “Will I at least see you at graduation?”

I look at him with a dumbfounded expression. “I wouldn’t miss your graduation for a million years.”

His smile beams all over again, and he wraps me up in a giant hug before whispering in my ear. “You’re going to be okay next year.”

It’s not a question, but a statement. Because he knows it, and I know it. A lot of shit has happened this year… to both of us. And while our outcomes may now be different, Clay knows that I’ve been putting in the work to make next year,myyear. I’m not going to let anything oranyonetake that away from me.

“I’ll be okay,” I say as I pat him on the back.

Clay pulls from our hug, but when he hears Rocky his eyes immediately start to wander. I can’t help but laugh at the lovesick look on his face. “Would you just go over there?”

“I love you, man,” he says as he clinks his beer bottle with mine.

“I love you too. Now go.”

?*He practically skips over to where Rocky is standing as “Sweet Home Alabama” starts playing over the speakers.

Next thing I know, I’m downing Jägerbombs with Rocky’s parents and then, like I’m an underclassman all over again, I’m waking up on my bedroom floor. However, contrary to underclassman Jax, upperclassman Jax had the foresight to pass out with a giant bowl next to me, a half-empty bottle of Pedialyte, and a spilled bottle of ibuprofen.

My parents can’t say I didn’t learn anything at college.

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