Page 98 of Lost Boy
I forget where I am for a moment, rage sizzling in my bones. My vision goes black around the edges, and I start to lose my mind and lunge for him.
Jamie’s calm presence is needed and appreciated when he bear-hugs me, preventing me from smashing this prick’s face in and getting ejected from the game and possibly even school.
“Don’t do it. His future is going down with this game, and he’s trying to take you with him. Don’t let him, Ry. You’re smarter than this. You’re the winner. You’ve got everything.” Then he whispers directly into my ear. “Including Fallon.”
Fuck! He’s right. I don’t need to play into this and look like the aggressor in front of the entire crowd.
Cole speaks up for me. “Shut your mouth, you narrow-minded prick. We’re trying to play basketball here. Not sure whatyou’retrying to do. Lose? Well, congrats. You’re doing a great job!”
The tunnel vision clears, and I step in as team captain. “Okay, enough!” I turn to Dustin, sneering in disgust. “Fuck off, Dustin. Your jealousy is showing.” Then I turn to my own team. “And you guys,” I say to my boys. “Let's go check on Clarence. We’ve got an injury break because someone’s hurt.”
“Not jealous of shit. You all got lucky tonight,” he mumbles and walks away.
Yeah. Right. Not jealous at all.
I’ve been fighting hard not to look at Fallon this whole time, not wanting to give us away. But I give in and flick my eyes up to the crowd, where I know my family is sitting.
And there, right behind him, is fuckingJackson. He should be sitting on the public school side, not behind Fallon. He’s not doing anything, but I’m already irritated, on edge, and ready for these last few minutes to go by so we can get our trophy and go home.
I swipe the sweat from my brow, waiting for the medics and Joel to finish helping Clarence to the locker rooms. I’m taking his foul shots.
After I make both baskets, the game continues, and I can’t help but glance up to the bleachers as much as I can now that I know Jacks is up there. Probably trying to talk to my boyfriend.
I’m sick of it all.
He’s fucking mine.
I score a handful more points, and before I know it, the final buzzer blares as I let off one last three-pointer.
Swish!
The ball goes in, and the crowd goes crazy. I glance at the glowing red numbers on the scoreboard, just to be certain. But I already know. We fucking won! We swept Jefferson and beat them by seventeen points tonight, bringing the trophy home for the Knights.
My eyes scan the stands, sweat dripping down my brow. I can’t wait any longer. This is it. The world needs to know that Fallon Rivers is mine.
In a split-second decision that feels so right, I climb the stairs two at a time. The crowd cheers for me, already on their feet.
“Ryder! Ryder! Ryder!”
The sound is deafening, and my heart beats wildly, but there’s no turning back now. All I can focus on is my boyfriend, how much I love him, and how badly I need to show it.
He’s sitting there while everyone else stands, towering over him and whooping loudly. My smile grows. I think he’s typing out lyrics in the notes on his phone.
His lack of enthusiasm is the most endearing thing ever. Something about his aloofness and bored, uninterested face just does it for me. And the shimmer.
Fallon’s eyes dart up and widen when he finds me towering above him. His dark blue eyes turn hooded when I lean down and cradle his face between my palms in front ofeveryone.
I just don’t care anymore.
This is me. This is us.
Take it or leave it.
I seal my lips to his, pressing our faces together hard. They need to know he’s mine.
I can’t extinguish the fire that burns between us. It’s wild, out of control, and overwhelming. It’severything.
I pull back slightly and whisper in his ear. “Can’t wait to celebrate tonight.”
