Page 79 of The Jack*ss in Class

The broadcast cut to a replay of his run, then to the announcers discussing his performance.

“Flynn Kingman showing why he’s projected as a first-round pick,” one analyst said. “Great speed, excellent movement skills. He’s going to make some team incredibly happy.”

“And I’m hearing the LA Bandits are showing particular interest,” the other added. “Along with the Denver Mustangs, of course, where Kingman would join his brothers.”

LA. The word sent an unexpected chill through me.

My phone buzzed with a text.

Flynn: Did you see that? Pretty sure I felt you watching.

I smiled, typing back quickly.

Me: The entire KAT house saw it. Someone may have made Team Flynn shirts.

Flynn: Please tell me you’re wearing one.

Me: No comment.

Flynn: I’ll take that as a yes. Gotta run, more drills. Miss you.

The last two words made my heart stutter. Miss you. As if we’d been together forever instead of sharing one kiss.

Me: Good luck. We’re all cheering for you.

I almost added “miss you too,” but something held me back. This was all happening so fast. One minute we were arguing about Shakespeare, the next we were kissing, and now...

Now what?

My career phone vibrated in my back pocket. Gloria again, confirming my flight for LA during spring break.

Parker noticed my sudden distraction. “You look like someone just told you they killed your fictional boyfriend.”

“I’m fine,” I lied. “Just thinking.”

The broadcast moved on to other players, but my mind remained stuck on Flynn, on LA, on the complicated web I was weaving around myself. Each secret I kept made it harder to be honest, to be vulnerable. And didn’t Flynn deserve the truth?

“I’m gonna grab some...water before Flynn is on again,” I murmured, slipping out of the room while everyone was distracted by Gryffin’s turn on the track.

In the quiet of our bedroom, before I could overthink it, I dialed Abuela’s number.

“Mi corazón,” her warm voice answered. “How are you?”

“Confused,” I admitted. “Can I ask your advice?”

“Of course. Is this about your handsome friend? You know I’m a fan of the footballers.”

Despite everything, I smiled. “Sort of. It’s complicated.”

“Ah,” Abuela said knowingly. “Because he kissed you.”

“How did you…?” I stopped. Abuela knew everything. She always did.

“The way I see it, you have two options,” Abuela said. “You can continue keeping these various parts of your life, school, family, career, love, separate, which means more lies and complications. Or...”

I didn’t pretend not to know what she was talking about. She was one of the only people in the world who knew almost all my secrets. Even so, I kept certain parts of my heart hidden away.

“Or?” I prompted when she paused.

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