Page 54 of Sunshine

“Anywhere,” I say in answer. “Please.”

He stares at me for a moment that seems to stretch time, and heat crawls up my neck at how I’m putting him in aposition he specifically askednotto be in. But the truth is . . . I need him.

Annie’s right—I need to focus on my feelings if I have any chance of working through them, and I’m not sure where else to turn.

He tosses the bag into the bed of his truck and pulls his keys out of his pocket. I watch as he twists the key and unlocks the passenger-side door, pulling it open. He turns back to face me, his expression a mix of concern and understanding.

It’s all the invitation I need. I climb into the seat he’s offering, throw him a look of gratitude, and try to keep my shaky hands still in my lap.

I shift my focus to the street in front of us as he gets in, but I feel the prickling heat of his gaze on me, almost expectant. “Do you want to talk about it?” he finally asks.

I shake my head. “No.” At least not yet—I’m not even sure what to say.

I see a single, curt nod from my periphery, then he’s turning the key in the ignition and peeling away.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

THEN

It takes Jason three weeks to undo what he did.

He waits for me after cheer practice on the second Friday of school, and when I see him standing on the curb of the parking lot, my heart flips. It’s reminiscent of the first time he waited for me after practice. There’s a small smile on his lips, nervous but determined, and when he asks me to take a ride with him, I don’t even blink.

“I’m so sorry, Layla,” he says as soon as we’re shut inside the silence of his Mustang. “I’ve just been going through a lot with my parents about college and . . . it’s no excuse.”

My eyes narrow at this, a lightbulb going off inside my mind. “Did they tell you to break up with me?”

He gives me a sheepish look, and I can’t help but scoff. I’ve known his parents for almost my whole life—they’ve been influential in Saddlebrook Falls for years. Before Ron Moore became mayor, he used his legal and political science education to help pass legislation in Texas that protects the future ofSaddlebrook Falls’s township. It saved our town from being swallowed by Williamson County when county executives were trying to dissolve Saddlebrook Falls and absorb our resources as part of their own. Georgia Moore runs our local library and sits as an appointed trustee for Readers Make Way, a statewide charity that works to strengthen literacy in children.

I’ve only interacted with them a handful of times as Jason’s girlfriend, usually just saying hi to them when I see them around town. I’ve never thought much of their opinion of me, but to now realize they played a part in all this makes me . . . sad.

My hands twist together in my lap as I fiddle with my fingers. “I don’t understand.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Jason assures. “It’s not about you, Layla, I promise. It’s just . . . with our loss at state last year and conversations I’ve been having with college programs, my parents know how important this season is for me. I can’t fuck it up. They don’t want me to have any distractions.”

I brace myself for where this conversation might be going. As hopeful as I am that he’s reconsidered, it also sounds like he may be about to double down. To try to get me to understand. Maybe Wells told him about Connor’s party . . . maybe Jason feelsbadfor me.

“Look,” he continues. “I know my parents mean well. They just want what’s best for me. But Layla, you and I have a good thing here, and I don’t want to stop seeing you. Maybe . . . maybe we can figure out how to make it work.”

My gaze snaps to him. “Jason, it’s not like I’ve ever tried to get between you and football—I know how important it is toyou. I don’t know what more I can do to show you that you have nothing but my support.”

He nods. “I know, babe. You’ve been so great. Trust me, I know how easy you’ve made things for me. I guess sometimes I feel like I need to domore. Take you on more dates and spend more time with you. And it adds to the pressure I’m feeling, you know?”

My heart sinks at the realization that it really isn’t anything I’ve done wrong.

“I’m worried about you,” I admit.

Jason’s brow arches. “What do you mean?”

I shrug. “You’re such a happy and positive guy—it’s why I fell for you. But all this stress might be getting in the way of that happiness.”

He shakes his head. “Trust me, Layla, it’s all worth it. Someday when I get drafted to the NFL and get my first paycheck as a professional athlete, we’ll look back and know that all of this was more than worth it.”

“Even if it costs you being happy now?”

“Definitely.”

I’m surprised by how sure he is. I know going pro is his biggest dream, and I don’t want to discount that, but I can’t imagine sacrificing what might be the best years of my life for a career. Then again, I don’t have a big dream like he does, so maybe I just don’t understand.

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