Tyler’s stare lingers for a moment too long. Suddenly, I’m hyper aware of my appearance. “Do I have something on my face?”
Tyler blinks, breaking our staring contest. “Sorry, I, uh. My brain just goes blank when I look at you.”
“Serena!” Jared jogs up to us, “Sorry I took so long, Coach needed to talk to me.”
I wave a hand, “It’s fine, I didn’t wait long.”
Jared’s eyes flicker between the two of us, his brows hiking up an inch. “Something going on between you two?”
Tyler gives a half-hearted laugh, shooting me a quick glance that he’s nervous around my stepbrother. “Nah, we’re just talking about the game.”
“Thanks for keeping me company.”
“Anytime,” Tyler sends me a wink before retreating back to his car.
I hop into the car with Jared and stare out in the window on the drive home.
“Are you and Tyler a thing?”
I glance at Jared for his out-of-pocket question, “Why are you asking?”
He lets out a low chuckle, a teasing tone creeping into his voice. “Seemed like you are closer now because of the way he looks at you.”
My heartbeat quickens. “He doesn’t... look at me in any special way.”
Jared shoots me a knowing glance, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “You sure about that?”
I stare out of the window, feeling a rush of emotions I can’t quite put into words. “I don’t know, Jared. We’re just friends.”
“Friends don’t look at each other like that.”
“Like what?”
“You both look at each other a little too long to bejust friends.”
“Get to the point, Jared.”
“Do you like him?”
I don’t answer, because the minute I say it, it’ll come true and that means it could fall apart at the snap of someone’s fingers.
“Answer the question, Serena.”
“Why are you pushing this?”
“I want you to be happy. I haven’t seen you looksoalive since I became your brother.” He gives me a side glance before returning his attention to the road. “Do you like Tyler?”
“I don’t want to,” I mutter softly.
Jared lets out a quiet mix of a snort and chuckle. “But you do like him?”
“I do.”
Chapter 30
Serena
The car hums along the familiar streets on the way to Beckham’s house, the energy of the win and homecoming night still making us repeatedly bring it up. Alli sits behind the wheel, Grant rides shotgun, and I squeeze into the backseat with Priya, our laughter mingling with the upbeat tunes of AM:PM by NOTD.
