threw curveball after curveball my way that kept smacking me upside the head, making my thoughts scatter. “Wait…Walsh didn’t know about the team cheating?”
“Of course not.” He gestured toward me. “Well, not until you told him.”
And just like that, it all clicked. With the way he was staring at me, an expression torn between smug and unkind, I understood. “You told me about the cheating so I’d tell him. You wanted me to tell him.”
Scott spread his hands wide. “I was hoping you’d wait until after the final game so we could win, but in the end, I got what I wanted. Winning the game is good, but beating Walsh Hunter is better. Way better. Walsh quit the team, and Coach Glassmore doesn’t offer second chances.”
Oh my gosh. Another raindrop fell on my glasses lens, but this time I didn’t try to rub it away. I could barely move; I was surprised I even still held the trash bag. Waves of guilt and shame washed over me. How could I have been so stupid to play right into Scott’s hands? No wonder he gave me that information so willingly—he wanted me to blab.
“Where’s Walsh now?” I had to find him.
Scott raised a shoulder, not a care in the world. “No clue. But I’m definitely having a celebration tonight. A ‘Beating Walsh Hunter’ party. I like the sound of that.”
“Ugh,” Jewel sighed loudly, stepping out from behind Scott’s shoulder.
Her eyebrows were pulled together in the meanest look I’d ever seen from her. Honestly, I didn’t think her face could contort into a frown. But there it was, in full force, and totally directed at Scott. She came to stand by my side. A united front, a wall of the girls Scott had dated.
“You’re so childish,” Jewel said. “Going on and on about how Walsh doesn’t deserve to be captain, but he does. Because he’s worked for what he’s gotten. He’s earned it. You don’t work for anything—you just complain about everything!”
My gaze darted between the two of them, torn between shocked and amused at the way things were unfolding. It honestly felt like I was dreaming.
“You can be mad at Walsh all you want,” she went on, not losing steam. “But he’s a better guy than you could ever be. And if it’s not obvious, this is me dumping you.”
No, not that I was dreaming. It felt like I’d been thrown into another soap opera, watching this dramatic, heated scene unfold. Just Desserts.
I bit down on my lower lip before it split into a grin. Yeah, definitely amused.
I watched as Scott’s raised eyebrow fell. “You’re—”
“Breaking up with you.” Jewel enunciated each word carefully.
“She’s tried to fix it,” I told him, unable to help myself from mimicking his own words, and it felt so good. “But she just can’t do it anymore.”
Scott’s glare wavered from me to Jewel before he rolled his eyes. “Fine by me,” he scoffed. “I got what I wanted. Have fun with your issues, crazies.”
Then he stomped away, dragging his shoes through the grass as he headed for the gate. I took a moment to watch him go, to watch his tense posture. It’s funny how a fake relationship could feel so much more genuine than my actual relationship with Scott. And how fitting—Scott broke up with me to find someone “better,” and she ended up dumping him anyway. Universe, I owe you one.
I turned to Jewel, raising my free hand. “I think you deserve a high-five for that.”
She smacked my palm lightly, giving me the smallest smile I’ve ever seen from her. “Thanks. So you’re crazy too, huh?”
“Apparently. But I’ve heard that being crazy is more fun.” I nudged her arm. “Besides, if we’re going to talk about crazy, it’s most definitely the guy who is so cutthroat about being team captain.”
She laughed. “Definitely agree with you on that.”
I smiled, happy that this situation with Scott brought about one good thing. Even though Jewel was supposed to be the “other woman,” she never felt that way. If anything, she’d be a great friend.
“Sophia!” Edith called as she hurried in through the gates, her makeup smudged slightly from the rain. “Walsh—he’s out by the fence talking to some guy. He’s by the corner, away from all the people.”
He’s still here. I clutched my plastic-covered poster board tighter, nerves chittering to life. “Jewel, help Edith find Zach. You can tell her about what just happened and how you rocked it. I’ve got to go.”
“Wait, what did happen?” I heard