CHAPTER 77
JESS
My head was spinning, but it wasn’t just from the fall. Everything felt like it was unraveling at once. The lingering ache in my skull was nothing compared to the mess of emotions churning inside me. Luke’s words kept echoing in my mind, refusing to be ignored.
“You don’t have a date anyway,” Luke’s words rang through my headache. Where did he get off messing with me?
Tom had asked me to prom. We’d made plans. So why would Luke say something like that? It didn’t make sense, but then again… where had Tom been when I’d faceplanted on the tarmac?
The entire team was on the field, and the quarterback was missing. Isn’t he supposed to be like the captain of the team or something? It was a bit strange. My mind raced through the events of the day, trying to piece together the missing parts.
I walked out of the final period, determined to find Sam and tell her about Laura. But as I scanned the hall, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Tom coming toward me. There was something off about how he was moving, like dragging his feet or carrying some kind of weight. My stomach twisted with unease. Was Luke right? Did I no longer have a date?
Before I could say anything, Tom was dipped, scooping me up in a hug that felt a little too tight, a little too desperate. Then,
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CHAPTER 77
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without warning, he kissed me deeply.
It wasn’t a bad kiss. It was… nice. But that was the problem. It wasn’t earth–shattering or electric. It didn’t make my heart race. or my skin tingle. It was just… safe. Comfortable. The kind of kiss that felt more like a habit than a spark.
When Tom pulled back, he studied my face, his eyes scanning me like he was assessing the damage. “Jess, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you fell.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I mean, my pride is still on the track, but physically, I’m fine.“I reassure him with a smile.
I blinked, trying to shake off the odd feeling that had settled over me. “Where were you?”
Tom’s grin returned, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “I got drafted for a varsity team!”
The news didn’t make sense to me, but based on Tom’s grin, was it good news?“Tom, that’s amazing!” I said, genuinely happy for him, not that I knew why. I guess it makes sense; varsity football while you are still in school is probably one step up from the big leagues.
He leaned in again, kissing me with that same enthusiasm, but this time, I braced myself, focusing really hard to feel something -anything. A spark, a tingle, some sign that this was right. But it didn’t come.
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