“If I knew I wouldn’t get expelled for it, I’d slap you with this fucking archway.”
“Everyone at this school has an archway kink. Not shaming, just not my thing.”
“Shut up,” I grumbled.
I held my position with a grip around a metal support and handed down one section to Jack, then the other. The fucking thing was heavy and awkward to maneuver around corners, but we got it out to the field.
When I handed the keys to Trent, he lifted his hands without taking them.
“Whoa, you’re not done. We need the box of decorations for it.”
“What’s it look like?” I asked.
“Let me guess,” Jack snarked. “A box with decorations in it.”
Trent pointed at Jack. “Bingo. You guys are really workin’ well together.”
We were about ten yards away, headed to the basement once again, when Trent called, “It’s labeled, smart-ass. Fall festival archway decorations.”
“I’m punching him in the throat after graduation.”
“Something we agree on,” I muttered.
The room was just as dreary with boxes full of cheer as when we’d left it. Jack went to the shelves, and I checked the back of the room, same as before. It seemed we were both of a mind to work separately together, if that made any sense.
“Found it,” Jack called.
“Motherfucker,” I cursed. It wasn’t a game or a race, but, hell yeah, I’d wanted to find the box first.
Jack had his hands on his hips, staring at the top shelf of another row. “They do this on purpose.”
He hopped on and started to climb. The thing groaned as the one holding the arch had. I grinned and pulled him down.
Jack stumbled but caught himself before falling on his ass. “The fuck?”
“Let me do it. It could be heavy.”
I climbed up and was promptly yanked back down. Jack shoved my shoulder, but all I gave in return was a brow raise as if to say, “What?”
“I can handle heavy, Calvin, but it might not handle your weight.”
“Bruh.” I got in his face, nearly chest to chest. “Why are you so worried about my body?” It was a stupid taunt. I knew it when I said it, but it came out anyway, half-hopeful he’d admit he was not just worried but interested in my body like I’d been a bit preoccupied with his.
Jack had given no, and I meantno, indication he was into me. The only thing I had to go on was this thick tension between usover absolutely nothing at all. Or maybe I was wrong. Maybe I’d done something, and he’d been pissed ever since, but we could air it out right here, right now.
“Because it’s in my fucking face!” Jack pushed me once again.
Heat boiled under my skin and slowly pushed through to my chest. Jack’s scent filled the air, clogging my already sputtering brain.
I jumped right backin his fucking face, then shoved his shoulder as he had mine. He shuffled a step, dark bangs shifting over his pale forehead. When he flicked them out of his eyes, they darkened.
“What is your deal, man? You hated me before I even knew you,” I accused. “Remember me from another life or some shit? What?”
Jack growled without an actual answer. He gripped my shirt, and then he slammed me into a shelf, adrenaline too high to feel it. Not to be pushed around, I scrambled off the unit and shoved him at the one on the other side.
“Hit me, Jack,” I yelled an inch away from his face. “It’s obvious you got somethin’ to work out, so let’s just go, yeah?” He gawked, and when he didn’t respond, I motioned him forward. “Come on, man.”
Jack pushed me into the shelf again, lips tight in a snarl, showing off his clenched, straight, white teeth. His cheeks were a bit pink from exertion, and his eyes still burned but with a bit of something more than anger this time. I didn’t know what this would solve, but it might make us feel better.
