Page 115 of The Trade

Jade

I’ll be there tomorrow, 10am

A rush of relief washes over me, followed by a strange fluttering of anticipation, a wishful longing for the girl who sets my world on fire.

I tuck my phone back in my pocket, a small grin tugging at my lips. On second thought, Spirit Night might not be so bad after all. Moreover, a night of friendly competition might be just what I need to keep me grounded until tomorrow.

* * *

A few hours later,I find myself smack-dab in the middle of a fierce game of tug-of-war. The cheerleaders herd us onto the field, placing the football and baseball guys against the ice hockey and men’s soccer teams. You’d think it’s a clean sweep for us, but the hockey guys pack a punch. Still, our linebackers come in clutch, pulling us to a last-minute victory.

Before I can even process the win, we’re herded off to the next activity. I catch whispers of “balloon pop” and “relay race” threading through the crowd. Great. What kind of circus did I just volunteer for?

Suddenly, a familiar voice cuts through my internal groan. “Oh, hey. If it isn’t my favorite scumbag.”

“Hey, Shan.” I heave a sigh, breaking away from the next lineup. “I’m assuming you had a chat with Jade.”

“Yep,” she says, arms defensively crossed over her chest. She looks away briefly to direct some stray players back to the field, but her accusing glare remains. “Your team’s pretty fucked-up, huh?”

“Yeah, well, we’re done with all that bullshit now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I kind of wanted to tell Jade first,” I say, awkwardly clearing my throat. “If that’s okay?”

“Oh, yeah,” she says, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “You mean tomorrow, at the batting cages?”

A tiny sliver of hope pangs inside my chest. “Did she say anything else about it? Do you think I have another shot?”

She gives me a noncommittal shrug. “It’s not my place to say.”

“Right,” I mutter, my brief hope deflating. “And hey, I’m sorry for involving you in all this. There was a harmless attraction there, but it faded as soon as I got to know Jade.”

She waves me off, rolling her eyes. “It’s fine. Just make it right with her, will you?”

“I’ll try my best,” I promise.

By the time the field games wrap up, I’m wiped out. My encounter with Shannon had jolted me, making the rest of the games seem like a breeze in comparison. That’s the only reason I chose to stick around for the farewell bonfire.

There’s no way I could’ve sat at home, struggling to study while my insides twist into a tight coil, my mind fraying at the edges.

Because tomorrow, my fate is sealed. One way or another, Jade is going to make a decision. I still have hope that she might give us another chance, but there’s also a niggling doubt whispering that she won’t.

For now, the only thing I can control is my actions and pray that they’re enough for her.

As the bonfire roars an hour into the night, I distract myself with cold beer and small talk. Despite the emotional rollercoaster, it’s a beautiful night, even if the heat from the fire feels like a physical manifestation of my anxiety.

Needing a breather, I excuse myself from the crowd, finding a quiet spot and an empty bench, attempting to clear the smoke from my head.

The moment I let my eyes drift closed, a warm weight plops down on my lap, yanking me from the brink of much-needed solitude. “So, did you finally get what you wanted?” a voice slurs slightly.

I jerk awake, jaw hardening. “Cass.” My voice is as cold as ice. “I’m gonna give you two seconds to get the hell off me.”

She rolls her eyes dramatically. “God, you’re such a drama queen.”

“Stop talking,” I snap, my patience fraying.

“Fine.” With a careless shrug, she slides off my lap, her unsteady movements causing her bottle to tip and spill its contents over my shoes. “Whoops.”

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