Page 146 of Stick It
“Yeah,that’s what he said.” Finn’s face scrunches. “Although, I, uh, might have accused him of fucking you first.”
I grimace. It was disgusting the first time that was thrown in my face, and it’s equally as disturbing now.
“Yeah, he made that exact same face,” Finn says. “Right before telling us the truth.”
Fuck, hopefully not the whole truth, although I’m guessing by the fact no one is bringing up the fact that Patrick Callahan is my father, that he didn’t.
“That’s when we realized, if Kyle lied about that, he could have lied about the whole thing.”
“Could have.” There’s a strange robotic tone to my voice.
“Did,” Ethan corrects. “But even if every single kiss on that jumbotron was real, who are we to judge? We had no right getting angry at you over it.”
“No,” I say curtly. “You didn’t.”
He nods, lips pursed.
“We know he was behind the entire thing,” Jax interjects, as if sensing their opportunity slipping through their fingers. “Coach might not be able to do anything without proof, but we can.”
By kicking him out.
“Kyle and I swapped rooms,” Griffin states, talking for the first time. His face splits into a wide grin, so at odds with the tension in the room. “We’re roommates now.”
“We don’t expect you to forgive us,” Ethan informs me, drawing my attention back to him. “But please say you’ll stay.”
My gaze lingers on Ethan, the dark circles beneath his eyes, the haggard look on his face, before flicking to Finn. He looks equally as disheveled, his gaze tortured, before I shift my attention to Jax. His deep brown eyes seem to bore into me, pleading, begging, and his voice is rough when he speaks.
“Please, Little Menace. Who am I going to play video games with?”
There’s the slightest quirk of his lips, a hint of a smile that I know he reserves solely for me.
It’s my downfall.
“Fine,” I relent. “I’ll stay, but don’t think this means all is forgiven. You hurt me. You broke my trust in you, and that’s going to take time to earn back.”
All three give sharp, serious nods.
“We understand.” Ethan.
“We’ll earn your trust back.” Jax.
“We won’t break it again.”
The intensity in Finn’s eyes nearly bowls me over, and I strangely find myself believing him. Believing all three of them.
At the very least, Iwantto believe them.
44
DYLAN
I’mnervous the next day as we carpool to campus. So far, the morning has gone like any other, each of us rushing through our morning routines to get out the door so we’re on time for practice. It takes until we’re pulling through the gates onto campus before I figure outwhyI’m a ball of nerves.
I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I’m half expecting one of them to turn around and tell me this is all some cosmic joke. That they’re actually pissed and this is all some twisted plan to get back at me.
I don’t believe that they’ve suddenly gone from being as hurt and confused as they looked on Friday night to being on my side. It just doesn’t feel real. I glance at each guy as the four of them banter back and forth while Ethan pulls into a parking space outside the arena.
