“Halliway!” Kade yells, coming up beside Miles. “Stop fucking hiding and tell us what’s going on.”
“She doesn’t have to do anything,” Jackson says. “And if you order her around again, your face will be planted on the fucking ground.” He steps up to Miles and Kade. “Get the fuck out of here.”
They’re both shorter than him and smaller. They look big at school, but next to Jackson, they look tiny.
“Braden’s going to kick your ass,” Kade says.
Jackson just laughs.
“Let’s go,” Miles mutters to Kade.
They walk off, Jackson and I watching to make sure they get back in their car. They take off, speeding down the road.
“They’re going to tell Braden,” I say. “And everyone else. What are we going to do?”
“Nothing,” Jackson says, putting his arm around me. “We knew this would happen. We just didn’t know when.”
I turn to him. “Why aren’t you freaking out about this?”
“Because I don’t give a shit if Braden knows. He doesn’t get to decide who you date. Neither does Brock.”
“Yeah, but they’ll do everything possible to keep us apart.”
“They won’t.” He leans down and kisses me. “It’ll all work out. I promise.”
“How can you be so calm about this? When Brock finds out, he’s going to ban me from seeing you.”
Jackson takes my hand. “Let’s get out of here. You want to go get something to eat?”
“Jackson, I can’t.” I yank my hand back. “I can’t go out and pretend nothing happened. I’m freaking out here!”
“So what do you want to do?”
“I don’t know.” I take a breath, trying to calm myself.
He turns me toward him. “Nothing’s going to happen until tomorrow. Braden will be out all night. He won’t even tell his dad until morning.”
“I guess you’re right. So what do you want to do?”
“We’ll drive down to San Diego. We’re not going to run into anyone there. We’ll get dinner and then maybe see a movie.”
“Like an actual date?” I smile.
“We’re going to have more of those now that we don’t have to hide.” He takes my hand and starts walking to the car.
“I don’t know about that. When Braden finds out—”
“Stop worrying about Braden. He’s not going to do anything.”
“But Brockwill. And what about our plan? Braden’s not going to let me sit at his table anymore. How am I supposed to spy on the team? He’ll tell all his football friends not to talk to me.”
“I’m not worried about that.” Jackson smirks. “They almost lost tonight’s game, and three of their best players have alreadyhad injuries. With their season starting this bad, they’re not going to make it to State.”
“What about Twisted Pine?” I say, stopping as we reach the car. “When people find out we’re together, they’re going to make my life hell.”
“They didn’t do anything to Kristen. Everyone knows she left Braden for me.”
“That’s different. She’s the principal’s daughter. She can do whatever she wants.”
