Chapter 5

five

. . .

Sloane

“Jeez. Down twenty-one today. We’re looking like the Bears,” Brian jokes as he hands out hot dogs.

He passes one to Jacklyn, then to me, along with a beer for each of us.

“Seems like Joe is playing like shit today. Why do you think that is?”

I recoil slightly, taking a bite of my hot dog, and answer after a moment. “Why are you asking me?”

“Uh, you’re his girlfriend?”

I catch the subtle shift around us—people leaning in, ears perking up. Gossip travels fast at Mystic Falls, and anything about Joe DeRollo is premium content.

“Well, the thing is,” I say carefully, “we’re not dating anymore.”

Brian pauses mid-bite, his hot dog frozen in front of his face. “Come again?”

He glances at Jacklyn for confirmation, but she just shrugs and makes a zipping motion across her lips. Best friends don’t spill the tea.

“Yeah,” I continue. “I finally caved. I’d been putting up with a lot from him. This summer we drifted, and when we got back to campus this year…I don’t know. Something was different. So I broke up with him.”

Brian still hasn’t taken a bite. “And when did this happen?”

I take a long pull from my beer. “Officially last night.”

Brian squints, shaking his head slowly. “Well, alrighty then. Seems like he’s not taking it too well. Judging by those interceptions today.”

I shrug. “I hate to sound cold, but honestly, this breakup has been a long time coming. The writing’s been on the wall for a while.”

A roar erupts from the crowd, pulling our attention back to the field as the team emerges from the tunnel in their purple home jerseys.

I scan the players for number thirteen, my gaze catching Asher. He’s in his tight football uniform, helmet on, and—much to my disappointment—no glasses in sight.

“Damn,” I mutter, nudging Jacklyn. “I was digging the glasses look.”

I pull out my phone, shooting him a quick text:

Sloane: What happened to the glasses? I was digging that look.

No response—he’s busy throwing warm-up passes on the sidelines. The clipboard’s gone, and he’s fully suited up, which makes me do a double take.

When Asher jogs out onto the field after the kickoff, my jaw drops.

“Holy crap,” Brian exclaims. “Is Asher Knox…the backup…coming in for Joe?”

The realization ripples through the crowd, followed by a deafening roar.

Cheers erupt after Asher completes his first pass, clean and precise.

“Asher Knox! Yeah!” Brian yells, standing up. “That’s what I’m talking about! Who even is this guy? Does anyone know him?”

Jacklyn smirks, biting her lip as she nudges me. “Don’t know much about him…” she says with a giggle, her tone far too knowing.

I glance around, suddenly feeling exposed.

Look, Asher is only the second guy I’ve ever hooked up with. And while it was a doozy—and he’s undeniably cool—I don’t want to be labeled as the girl who jumped from the starting quarterback to the backup.

I sink lower in my seat, pretending to focus on the game.

Asher completes another long pass, then another, before the team runs the ball in for their first touchdown of the game. The crowd erupts, the stadium shaking with energy.

Asher jogs off the field, pulling his helmet off as he reaches the sideline. His face, flushed and determined, turns up toward the stands.

Oh no. Don’t look at me.

He spreads his arms wide, making the universal “pump up” gesture, and the crowd responds, roaring louder than they have all game.

Then, he looks at me—or at least, it feels like he does—and winks before turning back to the field.

My insides liquefy. Joe was always stoic during games, never one for showy gestures, and I never minded. I wasn’t looking to be anyone’s groupie.

But now? Asher’s wink has my heart racing, and I’m seriously rethinking my stance.

“Holy shit,” Brian mutters beside me. “Did he just wink at our section?”

Jacklyn guffaws, her grin widening as she glances my way. “Probably saw a cute girl up here or something.”

The momentum completely shifts after that touchdown. By the time the clock runs out, we’re on top by two touchdowns, and the crowd is in a frenzy.

As we leave the stadium, the buzz is all about Asher Knox—how he stepped in and showed up Joe DeRollo.

“Will he be the starter next week?” someone asks nearby.

I should feel happy for Asher—and I do—but unease gnaws at me. Gossip at Mystic Falls flies like frisbees at a dog park: fast, chaotic, and everyone loves chasing it.

And I really don’t want to be labeled as the girl who hopped from the starter to the backup.

No one knows what happened last night. Unless Asher told someone, which I highly doubt. I snuck out the side door, and no one saw me. Right?

“Hey,” Jacklyn nudges me as we exit the stadium. “You okay? You’re kinda quiet.”

“I’m fine.”

Brian is ahead of us with some friends, so Jacklyn leans in closer, her voice low. “Did anything happen between you two after you left last night?”

I swallow hard, the moment of truth looming. “I don’t, uh, kiss and tell.”

Her eyes widen, and she lets out a laugh. “Oh my. I know what that means.”

She zips her lips with an exaggerated motion. “My lips are sealed. Not telling a soul.”

“Not telling a soul what?” Brian calls back over his shoulder.

Jacklyn shrugs dramatically. “Fine, I’ll tell you.”

I freeze.

She turns to me, smirking. “I’m not telling anyone how bad the breakup was with Joe.”

“Oh.” Brian nods, oblivious. “Yeah, seems like he’s taking it pretty bad.”

I exhale a sigh of relief as Jacklyn winks at me. She slows her pace, letting Brian pull ahead before whispering, “But you are telling me the details later.”

“There’s no details,” I mutter. “Not really.”

“Lies,” she teases, laughing. “It’s okay. We’ll talk about it at the bar later.”

At the bar downtown, the usual post-game haunt, I pull out my phone.

Nineteen missed calls from Joe.

Great. Psycho, much?

Ignoring those, I scroll to the contact I actually want to talk to.

Me: Hey, good game. But I have some bad news. I only date backups. :(

Asher: Oh, so we’re dating now? You move quick. Did you plan the wedding before or after I made you messy all over my couch?

I laugh despite myself.

Me: lol I’m serious. You just ignited a gossip bomb. EVERYONE is talking about me and Joe’s breakup and how you stepped in and won the game.

Asher: So…I’m your dirty little secret now? I didn’t plan for last night, but I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m so attracted to you it’s insane.

I sigh, my gut twisting. What is this? Anxiety? Attraction?

It’s everything.

My phone buzzes again.

Asher: What are you doing tonight?

Me: I can’t come to your party.

Asher: Who said anything about parties? You know I don’t like them.

Me: I’m not around tonight.

Asher: Oh? What are you up to?

I hesitate. There’s this thing I do—when good things happen, I somehow find a way to mess them up.

Right now feels no different.

Me: I’m going to my grandmother’s for the weekend.

Asher: Oh, cool. She alright?

Me: Yeah. Just a planned trip.

Lies. Great. I’m a liar now.

“Sloane, you coming in?” Jacklyn asks as she stands in line for the ID check.

I hover awkwardly on the sidewalk.

“I, uh, have to go see my grandmother tonight. I’m taking the train to her place.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah! I just forgot I was going.”

“Okay…Why didn’t you mention this before?”

“Gotta go. Bye!”

I give her a quick hug, wave to Brian and the others, then turn on my heel and walk straight to the train station.