Page 44 of Quarterback Sneak
I don’t know how to respond to that, but I decide to just be honest.
Me-depends
Zane-on what?
Me-on what the food is
Zane-how about your favorite?
He texts a picture, and I stare at the picture of orange chicken and rice and chow Mein. My mouth literally starts watering; I’m so hungry.
Me-are you messing with me?
Zane-why don’t you come down and see?
I can’t help my smile as I slip on my shoes. I absently wonder if I should do my hair, but my love of orange chicken and my growling stomach win out. I throw my hair back up into a messy bun, grab my phone, and head out. I hold open the door for a girl coming in and then head out into the sun. When I don’t see Zane, I look down at my phone.
“Evie.” I turn and see Jace walking towards me. My stomach drops; I’m not ready to see him yet. I feel my body tensing as he approaches. “I am so sorry, Gorgeous.” He leans towards me, like he’s going to...I don’t know.Kiss me? Yeah, not going to happen.I take a step back. "Will you ever forgive me for being such a jerk? I can’t believe how I acted. I know it’s no excuse, but I had a really bad phone call right when you were in the bathroom and it just...I don’t know.” He runs his hand over his head. “It just made me kind of lose my mind for a little bit.”
“What was the call?” I ask tentatively.
His eyes meet mine, and I can see the sorrow there. “It was my dad. My mom has cancer.”
“Oh, my goodness. I’m so sorry, Jace.”
“Yeah, me too. But we’ll get through it somehow. Anyway, I know I was an absolute idiot, and you didn’t deserve any of it. I want to make it up to you. Go out with me this Saturday.” He takes a step towards me, and I can’t help it. I take a step back, away from him. When he reaches out for me, I take another step back, right into something hard.
My head whips around, and I see Zane standing like a wall behind me. His eyes meet mine briefly and then stare at Jace over my head. I don’t move from my position. I feel oddly safe atthe moment. But when I look back at Jace, he gives Zane a cruel smirk. “Blackwood.”
“Witman,” Zane returns, not moving from behind me.
“Did you need something, or are you just butting into a conversation that has nothing to do with you?” Jace's voice is nothing like how it was just seconds ago.
“I’m just checking on myfriendwho wasleftat a restaurant last night after herdatebailed on her.” Zane’s words hold a level of animosity that honestly surprises me. He’s been so kind to me. In spite of the obvious tension right now, I want to smile at Zane calling me his friend.
Jace scoffs. “She was fine. I was going to take her home, but your buddy had already grabbed her to take her home. He moved in pretty fast, I’d say,” he says, crossing his arms.
Jace’s words surprise me.He was coming back for me?
“Anyway, Evie’s not the kind of girl to dump a guy just because he messes up one time. She’s forgiving and kind. I don’t deserve her; that’s for sure.” His eyes meet mine. “I really am sorry. Let me make it up to you by going on a date Saturday.”
I swallow. “I already told my suitemate I’d go to the game with her.”
He nods, unsurprised. “Well, at least grab dinner with me and Sam.”
“Sam?” I ask in surprise.
“Yeah, she’s worried about you. She’s grabbing dinner for us now.”
“Oh.” He reaches out for me, and I stay still. I am still very conscious of Zane’s body right behind mine. He’s so tall, that my head would lay against his shoulder, I think. He’s close enough that I can feel his body tense, but he makes no move to stop Jace.
“You’re not going to give up on me, right? You’re going to give me another chance?” His eyes are so soft and warm, and I feel like maybe I was too hard on him. But at the same time, I’mnot exactly ready to just forgive him and move on. Maybe that’s wrong of me, but I just can’t yet. He looks down at his phone. “That’s Sam; she’s waiting for us.”
I blow out a frustrated breath. I came down here to see Zane, not Jace. I wasn’t ready to see Jace yet, but maybe this is for the best. After last night, I’m just not ready to be in a relationship with him. Maybe someday, but not right now. But I don’t feel like telling him that in front of Zane is the right move. I wouldn’t want a guy to dump me in front of other people, so that’s the only reason I nod. “Okay.” His eyes look so relieved. When he reaches out to touch my face, I flinch back, just the slightest bit; but it puts my head against Zane’s chest. He moves the slightest bit closer, and I don’t want to move. But I can’t stay here all night, plastered against Zane’s chest. I lift my head and look Jace in the eye. “Where do you want me to meet you?”
“We can walk over together.”
I take a deep breath and turn to face Zane. His eyes are still on Jace behind me, but when I reach out and gently touch his arm, his eyes snap down to mine. I freeze at the intensity there, and I suddenly can’t remember what it was I wanted to say. The hard lines of his face soften. “Are you sure?” he asks softly.
