Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Jessica’s POV

While the crowd still buzzed with post-game energy-high-fives slapping, cheers fading into laughter, and clusters of fans swapping jerseys. I seized the moment to slip away unnoticed.

Invisibility had always been my superpower in crowds like this; no one ever really looked for the quiet girl in the corner.

Fallon, ever the social butterfly, had already fluttered off, charming a group of girls from Savannah College with an effortless charisma.

They were huddled near the exit, giggling over something on her phone. I shot her a quick wave she didn’t catch and melted into the throng.

I found myself in a quiet hallway; a maze of echoing concrete, cooler and dimmer than the chaotic court, with the faint scent of sweat and polished wood lingering in the air.

I figured Aaron would be in one of the locker rooms, decompressing or basking in his glory.

Laughter drifted from a door on my right-the Arcadia players, no doubt riding the high of victory, their voices booming with inside jokes and victory whoops.

Further down, muffled grumbles seeped from another room, the defeated sighs of Savannah’s squad licking their wounds.

I drifted deeper, the hallway narrowing until I faced two doors, one on each side, both etched with “Coach” in bold letters.

I froze, rooted to the spot, my mind racing. Which one was his? Bursting into the wrong room would be mortifying-facing a stranger mid-change or, worse, the head coach giving me that “who the hell are you?” stare.

Just then, a door creaked open behind me. I whipped around, my pulse spiking, to find Joe-one of Aaron’s players I recognized from practices-stepping out.

He was tugging his jersey over his head, damp hair sticking up in spikes, a water bottle dangling from his free hand.

Our eyes met, and he squinted slightly, probably recognizing me from the campus or, more recently, from the sidelines. Instead of asking what I was doing, he just offered a friendly, weary smile.

“You lost, miss?” he asked, his voice carrying that post-game rasp.

I bit my bottom lip, heat flooding my cheeks. How do I explain why I was here without sounding like a stalker?

“Um… Aaron Tyrone?” I asked softly, my words tumbling out awkwardly

Joe’s smile widened, and he pointed to the door on my left. “Right there.”

I thanked him, and he gave me a brief wave before heading down the hall.

I stood there for a beat, taking a deep breath to steady myself, the kind that fills your lungs and pushes out the jitters.

My knuckles rapped lightly on the door. There was no immediate response, so I gently pushed the door open just a crack, peeking in.

But before I could call out, I collided with a solid wall of sweaty chest-warm, firm, and unmistakably Aaron.

“Aa-”

I didn’t get to finish. His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with that gentle but insistent grip, and he yanked me inside. The

13:12 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 33

door clicked shut behind us, sealing out the world.

In one swift motion, he spun me against the wall, his body pressing close, and his lips crashed onto mine.

I froze for a heartbeat, shock zipping through me like electricity, but then instinct took over.

60

10 volieners

I kissed him back, my hands finding their way to his damp hair, clutching it as the world narrowed to the heat of his mouth, the taste of salt and victory lingering on his tongue.

He pulled away first, his breath ragged, and rolled his fingers down my cheek in a tender caress that made my knees weak.

“Thank you for always being here, Jess,” he whispered, his voice low and sincere, those caramel eyes locking onto mine. “I

one.”

owe you

My heart went into overdrive, slamming against my ribs like it wanted out. I just stared, lips parting and closing like a fish gasping on dry land, words failing me completely.

He owed me? After everything he’d done for me-saving my life, pulling me from the edge more times than I could count- this felt backward.

Finally, my brain rebooted. I blinked rapidly, forcing a smirk to hide the butterflies rioting in my stomach. I pushed him slightly away, just enough to gain breathing room.

“You sure you want to be in debt to me, Aaron? I might demand something you can’t give.” I joked, my voice lighter than I felt, trying to play it cool.

He tilted his head, a teasing gleam returning to his caramel eyes.

“Oh yeah? Like what… my undying devotion?” He stepped closer again, closing the gap I’d made, his smirk mirroring mine but with that cocky edge he wore so well.

I rolled my eyes, swatting his arm playfully.

“That’s not a bad idea,” I retorted, matching his confidence. “Maybe I’ll make you do my laundry for a month. Or worse— watch rom-coms without complaining.”

He chuckled, a rich, full sound that made the room feel lighter.

“Harsh,” he shot back. “But for you? I’d suffer through it. Though I’d negotiate for some perks-like this.”

He leaned in, and captured my lips again in a kiss that was slower this time,

I sank into it, the banter fading into something warmer, more electric.

When he finally broke away, his forehead rested against mine for a second, our breaths mingling.

“Get ready tonight, Jess. We’re going out to celebrate.”

My heart skipped, hope blooming in my chest like fireworks. “A date?” I asked, trying to sound casual, playing coy with a raised brow, even as excitement bubbled under the surface.

He pulled back just enough to look at me, a teasing glint in his eyes. “You’re really dying to go on one with me, huh?”

He closed the gap again, his voice dropping to a husky whisper that made my pulse race.

I rolled my eyes and gave his chest a smack-my go-to mechanism for avoiding a situation where I knew I would just start blushing.

“Don’t be cocky.”

13:12 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 33

Irolled my eyes harder this time, smacking his chest lightly-my go-to defense when things got too real, too vulnerable.

“Don’t be cocky.” But inside, I was a mess, my heart racing wildly, butterflies turning into a full storm.

With that, I slipped out of his grasp and darted for the door, leaving before he could see how flustered I really was.

The hallway air hit me like a cool wave, but it did nothing to calm the wild thrum in my chest.

A date? With Aaron? God, have you finally heard my prayers?

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13:12 Mon, Jan 12