He cups my cheek, bringing his lips to mine. “If it will make you happy and give you part of yourself back, then do it. Don’t trust those bitches, though. They will stab you in the back.”
Why is he being sweet now? Why can’t he have continued to ignore me? It would make what I have to do tomorrow easier.
“Thank you. I need some time to process. Please?”
He nods, pressing another kiss to my lips before taking me back to my place. I wave to him from the porch before shutting myself inside.
I’ll have the memories of tonight.
The night I broke my own heart.
-
Four
“Thank you for giving me a ride,”I tell Jacob as we make it to the school.
Before I can get out, he touches my arm. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“What do you mean?” I settle back into my seat.
“You were with Nate last night and this morning you’re about to go join the cheerleading team. It makes me wonder what you’re up to. I don’t want you to get hurt, Hailee.”
“Aww, you almost sound like a real brother.”
He taps on the steering wheel, not looking at me. “Maybe because I wouldn’t mind actually being your brother. You’re not like the other delinquents that come here. You want more than the life that is being presented.”
My heart goes out to Jacob. I don’t know much about why he ended up in foster care, but I overheard Shelia once telling him he was just like his junkie mother, so I can guess.
I sigh. “Don’t worry about me, Jacob. I appreciate your concern, but Nate isn’t going to be a part of my life anymore. That was a one-time thing. I bet we don’t see him again.”
He grunts, “If you say so. Call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Thank you.”
Slipping from the car, I make my way into the building. It’s eerie to be here this early. The silence is almost deafening.
I expected to at least hear the sounds of the girls warming up or something, but there’s nothing. The hall lights are on, but all of the classrooms are locked and dark.
I turn the corner to head toward the gym when I slam into a body.
I gasp, looking up.
“I’m so sorry.”
Mr. Kendall grunts, “Watch where you’re going.”
I glance back at him as he heads the way I came.
When I make it to the gym, I see the entire team there, messing around with their bags.
I stand back a moment to study them, but Tiffany catches me.
“You showed up. I’m impressed. We are going to be doing some team building this morning. You’re with me. The rest of you pair off and go.”
I watch as everyone heads out of the gym, leaving me with Tiffany. My gut is telling me something is going on, but I ignore it for now. I need to get in with these girls.
“Come sit.” She pats the mat next to her.
