Page 35 of Summer Breakdown
Marcel nods.
“Tight,” Kai replies. “I can’t help tonight, but I can next week. So, let me know what Ezra messes up, and I’ll teach you the right way.”
Marcel laughs. “Okay.”
Kai knocks his fist against Marcel’s and spins to wave goodbye. He’s almost at the door, then clearly spots Jasmine. He double-takes, his entire body spinning to look at her.
“Oh. Hi.”
Jasmine smiles. “Hi.”
Frankie can’t see Kai’s face from here, and she almost moves so she can. She wants to ask him something, if only to get him to stop looking at her. The jealousy is overwhelming.
“I’m Kai.”
“Jasmine.”
“Jasmine, as in Frankie’s Jasmine?” he asks, and Frankie wants to die. Jasmine flicks her eyes over to her. Why would Kai say that? How does—why would—ugh. She’s never talking to him again! One minuscule conversation about a bad night out, when really, she should have shouted at him for being shit on the pitch. One slip-up with her name and he outs her like this. She’ll bench him.
“I didn’t say that,” Frankie says.
Kai looks at her, but his entire body is still facing Jasmine. “So, not the Jasmine you’re avoiding at the quiz?”
Frankie clenches her jaw.Notwhat she said. Kind of what she said, but the context is necessary. For a moment,Jasmine’s brows furrow, but then she raises them instead. Before Frankie can figure it out, her face is back to neutral.
“In which case,” Kai says, holding his hand out. “Hi. I’m Kai.”
Jasmine takes it with a laugh. “I heard you the first time.”
“I just thought you should know.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I can tell you my phone number if you like,” he replies. Frankie has seen him flirt before, but she’s never heard him. Jasmine smiles.Thesmile. The one Frankie pretended was just for her. If she stabbed herself with this pen, would anyone turn to look? Would it stop the cosmic injustice that’s happening right now? It might be worth it. She clicks it so the tip is sticking out.
“You should know I give fab piggybacks, and I have a first-aid certificate.”
Jasmine laughs, and Kai smiles. Ugh. They’re perfect together. Frankie will let this place burn to the ground by not paying taxes. Could she make it so Kai goes to jail? Just a quick eighteen-month stint. He’d befine.
“Kai,” Jasmine says.
“Yes?” he replies, his voice stupid and gravely and low.
“I’m a lesbian.”Fuck,it’s hot to hear her say it out loud.
Kai throws his head back with a semi-jokey groan. “Ughhhh.” Then, he leans towards her, whispering something into her ear, and she smiles, then looks at Frankie. Her gaze slips down Frankie’s body, lingering somewhere, and Frankie doesn’t like it. Where is she looking?
“Get out of here,” Jasmine replies, with a laugh.
“Can’t believe you ruined my life by being gay,” he says dramatically, then leaves. It’s awkward. Jasmine doesn’t look at her. Frankie wants her to look at her.
“We’re going to train,” Ezra says. “Frank, tell Jas what we need.”
CHAPTER TEN
Jasminefindsabenchin the sun, pulls her blanket out, and sits down. Frankie didn’t tell her what they needed for accounting. She stared at her for a minute and then told her to go outside.
It’s whatever. Jasmine brought a book with her, but she’ll probably watch the kids train. Marcel is adorable with his headband and his shorts. Jasmine’s not convinced Lani wants to play, but she wants to match with Marcel any chance she can get.
