“Yeah,” Glancing behind me again, I ask, “Who’s doing the three-legged race?”
“I’m doing it with Kao,” Fallon answer.
“Noah asked me to be his partner,” Hana says before she pops a fry into her mouth.
“I’m with that idiot,” Mila grumbles, gesturing at Jase. “When he’s done slobbering on all the girls.”
“And you?” I ask Jade.
She shakes her head, then coming to stand on my other side, she wraps her arm around my waist and gives me a sideways hug, then she explains, “I totally forgot about the fun day.”
“That makes two of us,” I admit. When Jade begins to pull away from me, I put my arm around her shoulders and tug her back against my side. “Jase signed me up so you can run with me.”
“Cool.” She grins up at me, her eyes sparkling.
“I need chapstick,” Jessica calls out from behind her booth, yanking my attention away from Jade. “My poor lips.”
“I have some,” Hana yells back and rushing over to the stage, she gives Jessica the balm.
“What time is the three-legged race?” Jade asks.
“In thirty minutes.” Fallon gives the long line a skeptical look, then she glances at me. “Jase will have to take a break for the race and then come back unless you step up to help him.”
“Me?” I ask. My eyes dart down to Jade’s and then to the line of girls before I glare at Fallon. “Hell no.”
“Come on,” Fallon keeps going. “Go help Jase out.”
Shaking my head, I press my lips tightly together. “Hm-uh.”
“You’d make some dreams come true,” she teases.
“Don’t care,” I mutter. “My lips aren’t touching some random girl’s.”
Fallon is just about to say something when Jade places her hand on my abs and leans forward so she can see Fallon. “Stop, already. Hunter said no.” I give Jade a thankful smile and wink, which has her grinning at me. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back.”
Fallon smirks at us. “Just making a point.”
“What point?” I ask.
“Nothing,” Jade snaps, giving Fallon a look of warning. Pulling away from me, she says, “I’m going to get some water before the race.”
“Hold up,” I call after her. “I’ll go with you.” Catching up to Jade, we walk to the stands selling drinks. I hand over the dollar bills and grab two bottles for us. Handing Jade one, I ask, “So I guess it means you also didn’t sign up for the volleyball later?”
She takes a huge sip, then shakes her head.
“Good, you can be with me for that as well.”
Jade’s wet lips curve into a smile, and it has me staring like an idiot. All I can think of is how those lips felt against mine.
Yeah, Hunter. No use in pretending you don’t have the hots for Jade.
Wanting to know where her mind is at with what happened to Brady, so I don’t make a stupid move she’s not ready for, I ask, “How are you handling things after Colton’s visit?”
Jade gestures toward a tree. “Let’s get some shade.” When we sit down on the grass, she begins to pick at a blade. “I’m okay. I just hate that I didn’t know. I feel guilty for not seeing the signs.” She shrugs, a sad look washing over her face.
“It still hurts,” I state, wondering if she’ll ever get over what happened.
Jade brings her eyes up to mine. “I think a part of me will always grieve for Brady. He deserved so much more than what life gave him.”
“Yeah,” I agree with her. Stretching my legs out in front of me, I lean back on my elbows and let my eyes glance over the students and all the fun they’re having.
“But it’s in the past,” Jade surprises me by continuing. “It’s time for me to start living in the present.”
Our eyes lock, and an intense emotion passes between us.
It can’t just be me feeling this way, can it?
“The present’s a pretty good place to be,” I murmur.
“Yeah,” she breathes.
Our eyes remain locked until Mila suddenly asks, “Are you having a staring contest?”
We both quickly look away, and I climb to my feet. “Is it time for the race?”
“Yeah, I came to tell you.”
Passing the booth, I see Fallon managed to get Nate to take over from Jase. He spots us and calls out, “I hope you buy a ticket, Jade.”
“In your dreams, Nate,” I yell back, throwing my arm around Jade’s shoulders. I yank her to my side, and when she stumbles, her hand splays out across my abs, so she doesn’t lose her balance, and she lets out a burst of laughter.
“Mila, how about you?” Nate shouts.
Mila sticks her hand in the air, waving a little slip of paper, and yells, “Got my ticket. See you after the race.”
“Give me that ticket,” Jase growls, and he yanks it from her hands. Ripping it to shreds, he tosses the scraps in the first available bin. “Hell will freeze over before you kiss Nate fucking Sparks.”