Page 80 of The Jack*ss in Class

“Or you can start letting people in,” she said gently. “Not everyone. Not all at once. But maybe it’s time to stop hiding yourself away, Tempestina.”

“What if he thinks I’m, I don’t know, some silly girl with romantic fantasies?” The question was barely a whisper. “What if he realizes I’ve been lying to him and everyone else?”

“Listen, querida. If this boy can’t appreciate your talent and your reasons for privacy, then he’s not worth your time anyway.”

“He might be worth it,” I admitted softly.

“Then trust him with the truth,” Abuela advised. “But no matter what you decide, your future is bright, mi corazón, with or without a handsome footballer.”

“Though the handsome footballer doesn’t hurt,” Tío Pedro added in the background. Because of course, he was listening in.

I laughed despite myself. “Thank you both. I love you.”

“We love you too, Tempestina. Now go watch your boy run around in his tight pants.”

“Abuela.”

Her laughter was the last thing I heard before hanging up.

Back in the common room, I slipped into my seat just as Flynn appeared on screen again, this time for shuttle drills. Parker raised an eyebrow at me but didn’t comment on my absence.

On screen, Flynn moved with athletic grace, his face a mask of concentration. When he finished, the camera caught him looking directly into the lens for a moment, as if he could see through it to me. He held up his hands to the camera and made a heart with his fingers.

My heart lurched in my chest as the room erupted in squeals and cheers around me. Several sisters turned to look at me, their expressions delighted.

“Oh my god,” Parker grabbed my arm. “Did Flynn Kingman just give you heart hands on national TV?”

I couldn’t answer. Couldn’t breathe. He’d basically just declared his love for me in front of the universe, and here I was, still keeping secrets, still hiding parts of myself away.

Abuela’s words echoed in my mind. If he’s worth it, trust him with the truth.

I pulled out my phone and opened my texts with Flynn. I sent him the heart hands emoji and then waited to see if he got it and replied.

His response came almost immediately.

Flynn: Can’t wait to see you when I get back. Hopefully in nothing but that Team Flynn t-shirt.

Me: Me either. I have some spring break plans I want to tell you about later too.

Before I could second-guess myself, I sent a final message.

Me: I am wearing the shirt now. Maybe I’ll wear it to bed tonight too.

I’d written dozens of revelation scenes in my books. Now it was time to write my own.

YOU’LL BE IN MY HEART

FLYNN

“Kingmans!”

Gryff and I turned at the same time. We’d just finished our individual drills for the day, and Dad was waiting to analyze our performances with the ruthlessness only a former coach could muster.

The voice belonged to a combine official who was escorting someone who looked strikingly familiar. Tall, athletic build, with the good looks that belonged in the movies more than football.

“Huh,” Gryff muttered beside me. “Is that?—”

“Yeah, it is,” I confirmed, surprised to see the rising Hollywood star in the middle-of-nowhere Indiana. Sure, he played football for Bay State University, and he was good too, but he was a sophomore so he wasn’t here for the combine.

---