The Jock by J.L. Beck Page 0,40

Actually, I’m certain of it. That is right up until the moment he suddenly pulls away, leaving my skin cold and my lips swollen. My brows pinch together with confusion, and the softest whimper passes my lips.

“I bet your boyfriend doesn’t kiss you like that?” The words rush past his lips. The asshole isn’t even panting, unlike myself, who can’t catch her breath.

What the hell?

“What are you talking about? You know I don’t have a boyfriend.” Foolish. That’s what this was. Kissing him, wanting him closer. It was all a foolish act.

Irritation flashes in his eyes. “Yeah, you do, I saw you.” He looks down at the space between us, almost as if he’s ashamed. “Yesterday, I was worried about you since you rushed out of here without a word, and I know I shouldn’t have, but I followed you. I saw you with that guy back in your hometown. So don’t even try to deny it.”

“You followed me? Why would you do that?” I’m shocked and angry, but overall just not sure what to think right now. I don’t mean anything to him. I’m merely the gap between staying in football and being benched.

Taking a step back, he puts some space between us. “I don’t know... I don’t know why I did it, but I had to make sure you were okay. Turns out you have a boyfriend, so you were more than okay, I’m sure.” The jealousy oozes out of him like a volcano spewing ash.

I roll my eyes and contemplate letting him think I have a boyfriend for a while longer but decide against it at the last second.

“You’re an idiot, Cage. And an asshole.” I shake my head. “That was Ben, my brother.”

Cages mouth pops open, then closes, then pops open again.

“Your brother? You have a brother?”

“Yes, and if you took the time to actually get to know me, you would know that.”

“Oh…” He takes a step back, looking equal parts remorseful and embarrassed. “Shit, I’m sorry. I really wasn’t expecting that,” he huffs.

Placing my hands on my hips, I stare him down because now I have the perfect ammunition. “Now, you owe me since you know, you stalked me and accused me of having a boyfriend, which by the way, is none of your business.”

With a deadpan expression, he asks, “What do you want, Nerd?”

“The truth. Tell me the truth, Cage. Do you actually care about football, or am I right? You’re hiding just like me?”

“Maybe I am hiding, but unlike you, I can’t break free of my choices. I’m here at North Woods because of football. It might not be my dream, but I’m stuck living it. You can be whatever and whoever you want, but you chose to be this…” He waves his hand in front of him, gesturing to me.

What’s wrong with me?

Teeth grinding, I wrinkle my nose. “You mean myself? That I choose to be myself? That must be a foreign concept to you.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then how did you mean it? Pray tell, how you meant it.”

Like a typical male, he rolls his eyes. “You are hiding too, behind your glasses and your clothes. Hell, you’re hiding in your room. You never go out. You have what… two friends? Do you think that’s normal? ’Cause hate to tell you, babe, but it’s not.”

Asshole.

“Well, Mr. Popular, I’d rather have two friends I trust and love than twenty fake ones. Tell me, Cage. How many of your friends do you actually trust? How many of your friends actually know you? The real you? Not just this mask that you paint on every day.” My voice is thick, and my cheeks are burning, but I’ve proven my point.

My statement shuts him up, probably because he knows it’s true.

Taking a calming breath, I continue, “I’m not hiding from anyone, Cage. I simply choose who to let into my life because when I let someone in, I let them in all the way. I don’t act a certain way, so people will like me. I don’t do things because they’ll make me cooler. I’m myself. So what, I snort when I laugh. I’d rather read books than party. If you’re my friend, you take me as I am, no matter what. That’s what real friends do, they accept you for who you really are.”

“You haven’t let me in all the way.” It’s a statement and not a question.

“Because I haven’t chosen to do so.”

Cage takes a deep,