Page 369 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 5
“Umm…” Jefferson looked at me and then back at Kennedy. “I’m really good at geometry.”
Kennedy smiled. “Perfect. Matt, do you mind if I help Henry study some geometry?”
What?That was surprisingly unhelpful of her. But honestly what did it matter if he spent the rest of practice doing geometry instead of practicing? He wasn’t getting any better. And I was running out of ideas. Besides, I hadn’t seen Jefferson smile at practice in a while. And he was smiling now. That was a win in my book. “Sure.”
I watched Kennedy and Jefferson sit down on one of the benches. They were talking animatedly as Jefferson pulled out a textbook.
I’d planned to hang out with Kennedy during practice. Show her how normal it was to be here. How the ghosts were at bay. Except when I’d see Brooklyn’s face during a crowded game. Or if I went into the school. I wouldn’t be going back in there any time soon.
I watched Kennedy laughing with Jefferson. But she seemed okay. Actually, she seemed more than okay. She looked genuinely happy. A feeling I’d been chasing for a while. She looked up at me watching her and smiled.
My eyes flitted between her and the field throughout the rest of practice. It was hard not to watch her. She was so full of life. And watching how she made Jefferson laugh made my chest feel a little lighter. Maybe she was right. Maybe I didn’t really understand him like she could.
Right before practice ended, Jefferson ran back out onto the field. Kennedy joined me by my side.
“Hold your breath,” she said.
I looked down at her. “What?”
She grabbed my hand. “It’s good luck, Matt. Just hold your breath and watch.” She squeezed my hand tighter.
I did as I was told. I held my breath as Jefferson swung and his foot made contact with the football. The ball went up into the air, straighter than I had ever seen him hit it before. Higher, higher. A perfect arc. And straight through the uprights.
Kennedy started screaming. She pulled her hand out of mine and threw both of hers up into the air. “Go, Henry!!!”
I started cheering too.
And the whole team joined in. Jumping and cheering, and chanting Jefferson’s name. A few of his teammates hoisted him up on their shoulders.
“Jeff-er-son! Jeff-er-son! Jeff-er-son!”
I felt tears in the corners of my eyes. He did it. He fucking did it!
Kennedy was jumping up and down clapping.
I leaned down and lifted her into my arms, twirling her around as she laughed. She wrapped her legs around my waist. “He did it!” she yelled. “Go, Henry!” She clasped her hands behind my neck, laughing.
“You did it,” I said in awe. “How the hell did you get through to him?” The chants of Jefferson’s name seemed to fade away as I stared at her.
“It’s all about the angles,” Kennedy said. “We figured out what angle he needed to hit it at. He’s really good at geometry.”
“You’re incredible.”
She laughed. “I just used his strengths…”
I kissed her. Not caring that the whole team could see. Not caring that I was standing in the middle of the Empire High football stadium. Not caring that she was supposed to be my friend and only my friend. Kennedy Alcaraz was a rock star. And she deserved to be told that every day. Brooklyn would always be my first love. But that didn’t mean she had to be my last. It didn’tmean I had to be miserable every day. I laughed as Kennedy pulled away to cheer for Jefferson again.
I wanted to be happy with her.
I put her back down on the ground and she grabbed my hand so we could run into the middle of the field to celebrate with the team.
“You okay, Coach?” Smith asked. “Looks like you’re about to cry.”
“Shut it, Smith.” I wasn’t about to cry. I was just…happy. Well, not entirely happy. I didn’t love the way some of the players were ogling Kennedy.
Smith laughed. “There’s no way we won’t go undefeated now. Hell, I’m about to cry too. Go, Jefferson!”
I pulled Smith into a hug. Because for once in his life, it seemed like he’d stopped being an ass. Today was a good day.
