Page 46 of Forever Wild
“You’re watching yourself on TV?” she asks with a hint of amusement, but then she reaches over and hits the play button. “I remember this game. You scored a goal off an assist from Ty.”
My brows shoot up in surprise, but Ev’s too busy staring at the screen, watching the play she mentioned unfold. She probably only remembers it because of her brother, but I still like it.
We watch in silence as Ty and I celebrate and then the game starts back up. Everly finally looks over at me. “You should come outside. I got enough pizza to share. It’s better than whatever you have going onhere.” She looks down at my bowl with a look of pity.
I don’t mind eating healthy. Food is fuel during the season and the more consistent I am with it, the better I feel and the harder I can push.
“No more junk food for me. The season will be here before you know it.”
“Is fun not allowed either?” she asks, stands, and then takes my free hand. “Let’s go.”
14
HE’S JACK
EVERLY
Jack looks mildly uncomfortable for the first fifteen minutes I force him to hang out with me and Grace. When she asks about Thor, he excuses himself.
“What is going on with you two?” Grace asks as soon as he steps inside. Her eyes are wide and spark with excitement.
“Nothing.”
She cocks her head to the side.
“We’ve gotten closer this summer.” I didn’t tell her about Jack’s dad because that felt too invasive, but I wish I had so she wouldn’t keep looking at me like this is something more.
“He’s being nice to you. He’s not nice to anyone.”
“That’s not true.”
She rolls her eyes. “Okay, nice is the wrong word. He’s nice to everyone but with you…he’s different. And he was definitely checking you out.”
My skin tingles and butterflies swarm in my stomach. I’m not usually one to play things off. If I can tell a guy is into me, I’ll say it. And even though Grace makes some very good points, I’m just not sure.
“Are you into him?” she asks.
“He’s Jack,” I say as if that could explain it all. It should. I’ve never considered him like that, but is he hot and do I enjoy spending time with him? Yes. So much. Interacting with Jack before this summer always felt like I was part of the job. Like Jack needed to make sure I didn’t do anything that caused trouble for my brother, which I resented, obviously. But things have changed. I don’t feel like a potential problem anymore. I’m helping him and it feels good.
“Tell me about the new job.” I turn the conversation to her and while she shoots me a knowing look—yes, I am avoiding talking about Jack—she goes with it.
For thirty minutes she tells me everything about her office, her coworkers, and how she spends her days. She’s happy and enjoying it. Not for the first time this summer I wonder about my own future career plans. I still need to fill out my internship paperwork. The date to leave is inching closer and I wish I was as excited as everyone else seems to be. I love my life here and I’m nervous about uprooting my whole existence for a job.
Too soon, it’s time for Grace to leave. It was a nice afternoon. When I decided to stay here this summer, I knew everyone would be gone or busy, but I didn’t realize how much I’d miss them all.
When I walk Grace out through the house, Jack is in the kitchen.
“Thanks for letting me hang, Jack,” Grace says as she waves to him.
He tips his head to her. “Anytime.”
When she’s gone, I move back into the kitchen with him. In my purse, I dig around until I find what I’m looking for.
“I brought my good scissors.” I hold them up for him to see.
“O-kay.” He eyes them and me carefully.
“I want to cut your hair.”
