Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 67

Lunch smelled like overcooked tater tots and reheated pizza, same as always, but the tension at our table felt sharper than usual.

Daniel was in full–on performance mode, his voice booming loud enough for half the cafeteria to hear. He was leaning back with his feet propped up on an empty chair, grinning like he already had a full–ride scholarship signed and sealed.

“Any day now,” he bragged, taking a swig from his energy drink like he was in some kind of commercial. “Coach said the recruiter was impressed Friday night. Impressed. Probably just waiting to call me and make it official.”

Across the table, one of the guys laughed. “Dude, he didn’t even talk to you after the game. He went straight to Jackson and Noah.”

“Yeah.” Daniel said, brushing it off with a wave of his hand. “He was probably too busy. You’ll see. I’m the real deal. man.”

I clenched my jaw, my fork pausing halfway to my mouth.

I’d been doing my best to keep my head down today, to just focus on the next game and not think about… well, anything else.

Like Jessa.

Or the look on her face Friday night when everything went to hell.

Or the way I’d seen her in the hallway this morning, looking fierce and untouchable even though I knew she was hurting.

I couldn’t afford distractions. Not with playoffs on the line and the recruiter’s card still burning a hole in my pocket.

But Daniel just wouldn’t shut up.

“Bet he’s calling me before the week’s over,” Daniel went on, smirking at a group of girls who were clearly pretending not to eavesdrop. “Guess it pays to have real talent.”

That did it.

I slammed my fork down hard enough that everyone at the table went silent.

“Real talent?” I snapped, leaning forward. “You couldn’t even run your plays Friday night without screwing them up. Jackson and I carried that game while you were busy showboating.”

Daniel blinked, caught off guard. “Whoa, chill, man. I was just-

18:31 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 67

65 vouchers

“No.” I cut him off, my voice sharp. “You were just running your mouth like always. You want a call from the recruiter? How about you earn it instead of acting like it’s already yours.”

The guys around us shifted uncomfortably. Even Jackson glanced up from his tray, his brows furrowing in surprise.

I didn’t usually lose it like this, especially not at lunch where everyone could see.

But Daniel’s smirk, his constant bragging, the way he treated everyone – especially Jessa beneath him… it all boiled over.

–

– like they were

Daniel’s smirk faltered, replaced by a mocking laugh. “Oh, I see what this is. Big bad Carter thinks he’s the golden boy now, huh? Afraid someone might steal your spotlight?”

My hands curled into fists under the table.

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