“Fuck you.”
“Piss off, Harper,” Jack said.
Harper stepped forward, red with rage and embarrassment. He looked ready to deck Jack. Jack braced for it, but Ed positioned himself between them. “You’ve done enough damage. Leave Jack and his friends alone.”
The room erupted in agreement, and Greg pulled Harper back, tugging him out of the room. “This isn’t over,” Harper yelled, but no one was giving him the time of day. They were all looking at Ed and Jack—and whispering for them to kiss already.
Music started, distracting half of the couples from the scene. Ed faced Jack, love burning in his eyes.
“Let’s give them some privacy.” Marcus shooed the crowds, motioning for them to mind their own business.
Ed chuckled, and Jack searched for a more private space. He nodded toward an empty corner.
“I’m really sorry about Thursday,” Jack said, “but I swear, it’s not like how Harper told you.”
“I know. I read all your texts and emails and listened to the umpteen-zillion voicemails you left.” He smirked, and Jack blushed.
“Sorry for that.”
“It was a tough spot to be in, your brother or me.” Ed took Jack’s hands in his. “I’m sorry I made you choose.”
“I shouldn’t have put you in that position in the first place.”
“I hope we can move on. Together.”
Jack brought their entwined hands to his chest. “You bet.”
“Uncanny choice of words.”
“One bet I am willing to stake everything on.”
Ed laughed, inching closer. A warm tingle scuttled over Jack.
“I’m curious,” Jack said. “What changed your mind? You weren’t talking to me.”
“Yeah, that was so my fault.” Before Jack could protest, Ed shook his head. “It was, and your friend made me see that.”
“Friend? Who?”
“Brittany. She came to my house this morning.”
“She did?”
“Yes. She was all over me. Said you were the sweetest guy—I can’t argue with that—who always puts other people first. That you were just trying to make Marcus happy because he’s the only family you have and that I should have at least given you a chance to tell your side because Harper is a liar and… well, she went on a bit.”
“Remind me to tell her how much I love her later.”
Ed smiled. “She told me what really happened and how awful Marcus felt because he forced you to make the choice. She also said you both agreed to lose rather than risk hurting me.”
Jack looked down again.
“Honestly, I was hurt,” Ed said, “but it was more that I was mad that you weren’t here to meet me. I kept thinking you knew how much I didn’t want to be on campus, how could you make me wait? Then when Harper told me why you weren’t here, I way overreacted.” He ducked his head until Jack looked at him. “She’s right about you. You’re too good for me, but I hope you’ll give me a second chance.”
“You want me to give you a second chance?” There went the spiel he was working out on the fly. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“Nope, you already apologized for being late on Thursday, and that’s about the only thing you did wrong. Everything else was all me.”
He couldn’t think of anything else to say and stuttered.
Ed wrapped his hands around Jack’s waist and pulled them closer. And then Ed was kissing him. Lips whispered against his and hands roamed up Jack’s back, and then Ed kissed him harder, deeper, like in that instant he wanted the entire world to know Jack belonged to him. When they pulled back for air, a cheer surrounded them.
“I think they know you’re gay now,” Jack said breathlessly.
Ed kissed him lightly this time. “My dad said I have to have the courage to be myself, otherwise I’m no one.”
“You talked to your dad about this?” The sting was small, tempered by the surprise that Ed talked about this to his father.
“He struggled more with not telling me what a jerk I was than with the fact we were talking about me dating a guy. He told me to fuck finances, that between us all we’d find a way, but he could never live with himself if I compromised myself for the family.”
“Have I told you how much I like your dad?”
“He is a good man.”
Ed cupped Jack’s cheek, brushing a thumb over his lips. “Will you still dance with me?”
Jack waggled his eyebrows, and Ed chuckled. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
They drew into a slow dance, foreheads pressed, noses lightly bumping. Ed’s shaky breath feathered over Jack’s lips. “What you said before….”
Jack tensed and looked him in the eye. “I meant it. I love you.”
“Good.”
“Just good?”
“Amazing. Incredible. The best.” Ed brushed their lips together. “Because I love you too.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jack turned off the engine and glanced at Ed. “Thanks for coming today.”
An easy smile played across Ed’s lips. “Been a while since I’ve played real football, however. I hope no one is expecting a star wide receiver.”