Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter
twenty-nine
I WAS RIGHT; JENSEN FOUND out I was kissing Theo Torres sometime between first period and podcast class, because when I went inside and sat down, he sat down next to me.
“What, Jensen?”
“You really have to ask?”
I stood up and walked around the table to Nolen, deciding to ignore Jensen. “Hey, I was wondering if we could have a refresher on editing techniques for ambient noise reduction.” I’d thought I had this down, but it was time consuming and I wondered if Nolen had any shortcuts for the editing I had to do later.
He answered, “Sure, no problem. That’s not your responsibility on the podcast, you know that, right?”
“Yeah, of course. More for my personal podcast. And I think everyone could benefit from it,” I said, thinking about how Jensen probably hadn’t thought once about how heavy he breathed while talking into the mic.
I started to turn away when Nolen said, “Finley, I haven’t gotten your bid for a regular feature idea for next year’s podcast.”
That’s because I hadn’t thought of one. “Um…I was thinking about…” My mind was all over the place. “Sideline interviews during and after high school sporting events.”
Susie, who must’ve been listening from her spot at the table, said, “Ooh, I like that one.”
Nolen gave a slow nod. “I like it too. You could commit the time to watch games?”
“Right, I…” I wanted to say yes. Maybe this would help me get an internship. But suddenly it occurred to me that I couldn’t watch the most popular sporting event our school had—football. Because if all went well, I’d be a player. Maybe my need for revenge was waning, because suddenly I wanted to say that, yes, I could. If I was being true to myself, authentic, even though the thought of live interviews scared me, that’s what I wanted more. My heart pumped so hard I could feel it in my throat and temples.
“Say yes,” Jensen said. I whipped my head toward him. I hadn’t realized he’d followed me around the table. “I suggested the feature idea for you.”
Never mind. I still very much wanted to make him pay. “Yeah, actually I can’t,” I snapped to Nolen. “I have a conflicting obligation during football games. Maybe someone else could do it, though.” It seemed like my ideas were up for grabs anyway.
“What conflicting obligation?” Jensen asked.
“Jensen, can you not,” I said, anger surging.
“Think about it,” Nolen said. “You deserve a spot.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I headed back toward my seat, and Jensen was like my shadow. I turned. “Do you even want the internship?”
“What?”
“Next summer. The podcast internship at the community college.”
“Oh, is there an internship? Yeah. That would be cool,actually.”
I groaned. “Please, just leave me alone.”
“Can we talk after class? It’s important. I promise to leave you alone after that.”
I wasn’t sure I believed any of his promises, but if there was a chance he was telling the truth, that this really would be the last time he’d try to talk to me, I decided it was worth it. “Fine.”
After class, I remained in my seat as the room emptied out. This room in the library wasn’t big enough to house normal-sized classes, so it was empty most of the time. It had large glass windows so Mrs.Hughs could keep an eye on the students that used it.
“My friends are waiting for me,” I said. I already had a lot to smooth over there. I didn’t need Jensen holding me up. “You have two minutes.”
He was across the table from me, and he stood and paced, his arms crossed. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“You mean more than you’ve already hurt me?”
“Yes. Is that what you want to hear? I don’t want you to get hurt more than I’ve hurt you, but if you keep seeing Theo, you’re going to.”
I stood. He’d already said this. He thought saying it again would make a difference? “We’re done.” I headed for the door.
“I didn’t want to have to tell you this, but I realize that I have to now!” he called as I reached for the handle.
I turned, and he came around the table and spoke low and fast. “Last month, at that party at his house, Theo told someone that he was better than me in every way possible. That he could kick better than me even with an injury. That he could steal my girlfriend if he wanted to. It would be easy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Told someone ? Who?”
“A friend.”
“And you believed it? You know how gossip is. It gets twisted. Besides, I’m not your girlfriend, so there was no stealing necessary.”
“But he’s just doing this to show me he was right.”
“You’re the one who lost me, Jensen. All on your own.”
“Mark my words, this has more to do with me than you think.”
“It has to do with me, Jensen. He likes me. Is that so hard to believe?”
He looked at his hands, then bit his lip, his nervous reaction. “I…” He didn’t want to say whatever he thought Theo’s motivation really was for stealing me. I nearly rolled my eyes at that thought again.
“You have to believe me.”
“Actually, Jensen, I don’t.”
“He was a jerk to me, Finley. A complete and utter jerk. I told you all the stories. You know. And now you’re with him and he’s going to hurt you. All so he can get back at me.”
“Leave me alone, Jensen,” I muttered, and opened the door. “You know nothing.”
“You’ll see, Finley! I’ll prove it to you.”
MY FRIENDS WERE ALREADY SITTING at our table in the courtyard at lunch. I held in my groan as I collapsed onto a seat. Deja’s full attention was on her phone, and she didn’t look up when I sat. Maxwell squeezed my hand, and it looked like Lee was squeezing Deja’s knee.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I should’ve told you all everything that was happening. It all happened so fast, and I’ve been so preoccupied with my revenge lately. That’s taken over everything.”
“We were supposed to be part of the revenge thing too, until Theo took our places,” Deja said.
“I know.”
“I thought you didn’t trust him.”
“Theo?” I asked as the words Jensen spewed flashed through my mind. He’s going to hurt you. All so he can get back at me.
“Yes,” she said.
I swallowed. “I didn’t at first…but now I do,” I said. Because I did. How could I not? He’d been nothing but kind to me. Whatever Jensen had heard from some mysterious source was just his twisted way of trying to get back together with me. “I kicked the ball through the uprights for the first time yesterday. Easily. And I was good. And I think I can actually make the team.”
“That’s exciting!” Maxwell said.
“I still don’t understand why he’s helping you so much,” Deja said, not able to drop the suspicions.
“Because he’s a nice guy,” I said. “And he likes me.” Was that so hard for everyone to believe?
“He seems nice to me,” Maxwell said.
“I know you don’t know him very well, and that’s entirely my fault,” I said. “Will you forgive me for cutting you guys out? I really didn’t mean to. You are my favorites, and I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
She put her phone down on the table, finally giving me her full attention. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“That’s what Jensen said ten minutes ago.”
“You’re comparing me to Jensen?”
“What? No! I just need you to trust me. You’re my best friend. Don’t you trust me to know what’s best for myself?”
She let out a huff of air, then pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezing her eyes shut. I could tell a million thoughts were going through her head. Lee and Maxwell looked on nervously as well, not daring to interrupt whatever internal struggle she was having with herself. “I trust you,” she finally said, meeting my eyes.
“Good, because I need you.”
“It doesn’t feel like you do.”
“I promise I do.”
She reached across the table. “You have to include us in your life from now on.”
I grabbed hold of her hand and took a relieved breath. “I will. I really think you’re going to like him. And I know he’s going to like you guys. You’re the best.”
She looked around. “Well? Where is he? We need to get started on grilling him.”
Maxwell let out a squeal, as if he’d been waiting for everyone to be on the same page to properly celebrate. He smashed me into a hug. “I know this part wasn’t to get back at Jensen, but it’s just icing on the cake.”
“DID I RUIN EVERYTHING WITH your friends?” Theo asked after school later. He’d just opened my car door for me, and now we both stood in the space between the interior and exterior.
“No, it was my fault for not being more open with them. I’m sorry for not telling them. It’s not that I’m not proud to be withyou.”
“Proud?”
“Yes, proud. And happy. It’s just I’ve been so distracted.”
“By what?” he teased, kissing my cheek.
“By this guy who is super hot and knows it.”
He chuckled. “I’ve been distracted by a beautiful girl who can kick a football.”
“I can do other things too,” I whispered.
He pulled me closer. “Oh, really?”
“I didn’t mean that, ” I said, playfully pushing his chest.
He kissed me, and someone in the parking lot let out a “Whoop!”
“Can I ask you something?” I said, looking up at him.
“Yes.” He took a wide-legged stance so his eyes were more level with mine.
Jensen’s accusations flashed through my mind again. No, I wasn’t going to give them a voice, put a wedge between us, bring up trust issues once again. I trusted Theo. He’d earned that trust. “Why are you such a good kisser?” I said. “Have you kissed a lot of girls?”
He laughed. “Yes, tons.”
“No, seriously, have you had a girlfriend before?”
“I have been very focused on football for a very long time.”
“Is that a no?” I asked, surprised.
“I’ve been on a few dates. Kissed a few girls. You are my first girlfriend.”
“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”
“Oh.” He smiled, and my heart melted. “Yes. Will you be my girlfriend, Finley Lucas?”
I nodded and kissed him again.