Chapter Five

Honey

"Come on, Honey," Olivia growls, tugging me across the concrete parking lot. "It won't be that bad, I promise." I dig my heels in the ground, but the loose pebbles work against me, pulling me closer to the burning warmth and my impending embarrassment.

"That's easy for you to say. It's not like you're stuck wearing your ex-boyfriend's jersey and going to an event celebrating his team." I shake my head, laughing bitterly to myself. I was thinking I was home free when my mom canceled her dinner with Jamie's parents, but I was wrong. The dinner was canceled because she heard through the grapevine that Jamie and I were having "trouble," and she didn't want to risk making it worse. Instead, she thought sending me out in his jersey to cheer him on would make more sense. I can only hope she hasn't heard the real story about him screwing another girl; otherwise, her sending me out like this would be seriously fucked up. Especially since she's been treating me as though I'm the one who needs to grovel and make sure Jamie is satisfied.

When she requested, or more like demanded, I go, I didn't know what else to do except comply. Pleasing my mom felt like the right thing to do, but now that I can see the bonfire flames licking the dark night air, I know I made a mistake.

Olivia tilts her head back and looks at me with an eye roll. "You're being so dramatic. It's been over a week since the whole Jamie fiasco. Things have moved on. Kelsey Lanford flashed the boy's soccer team, and Matt Waters got pied in the face for his promposal. Your humiliation is yesterday's news."

Biting my bottom lip, I hold back on admitting that even though I've changed my number, somehow, I'm still receiving countless messages taunting me about Jamie every single day, but saying it out loud will make it look like it hurts me, and no one can know that. Admitting that to anyone would make me look weak, and my father would hate for a Sanderson to look anything but strong.

"Can we at least switch jerseys?" I pull the green meshy fabric forward and look down at Jamie's number 7 with distaste. "I'd rather be wearing Mike's than this traitor's." When the fabric pings back to my skin, I grimace, thinking about how Jamie was the last person to wear this jersey. His nasty cologne clings to the fabric, serving as a constant reminder that I'm betraying myself by wearing it.

Students' laughter from the bonfire floats through the air, and licks of flames scatter into the night sky, filling my heart with trepidation. I should have stayed in the car. Olivia's cheeks are tinged pink when I turn to her, and she steps from one foot to the other. "Umm, I guess we can switch. It's just that… I kind of saw Mike before I came to your house, and things got a little out of hand…"

I raise my hand, close my eyes, and hope the images I have of Mike and Olivia getting down and dirty leave my mind. "Say no more. Please. My ears can't handle it."

"Oh, come on. It's not like you didn't fool around with Jamie while wearing his jersey." I don't know what's worse, imagining your best friend getting down with her boyfriend or remembering the last time you had sex with your ex.

"I don't want to talk about him right now. In fact, I'd rather never speak his name again."

"Fat chance of that happening, sis." Olivia snorts, looking at me up and down. "You know, I think the fact that you're wearing his jersey to this gives you more of an edge than the school has ever seen. What other badass would wear their cheating ex's jersey to his own pep rally? No one. You've got to have balls to act like that, and it's essentially one giant F you."

"If you say so."

She swivels on her heels to stare me down. "Hey," she says calmly. "Look, I know this whole thing stinks and your mom sucks for forcing you to come, but you're here now, and you've got to look at the positives. Besides, the only way you'll get through this humiliation is by proving to everyone that you've moved on and don't care about what happened."

"But I do care," I mumble, since admitting it out loud hurts. I wish I was as badass and coldhearted as the school made me out to be, but I'm not. I'm a compliant little thing. Always doing what my father and mother want. Without realizing it, Jamie was also on that list. I ignored the warning signs and did everything he asked because my parents would back off when he was happy.

"I know you had it in your head that you and Jamie were soul mates, but he didn't deserve you. Has he spoken to you since you were sent that video?" I shake my head. "Texted?" Another shake. "Geez, H. Has he even broken up with you?"

"Technically, no, but I'd say blocking someone's number and ignoring them in school is enough of an indication that you're done."

Olivia shakes her head. "Asshole," she mutters. "You know what, you need to show him what he's missing. He's had you wrapped around his little finger for too long. Maybe you should go on a few dates."

"Dates?" My mind springs to Zach and the conversation we had a few days ago in the parking lot.

"Yeah, you know… It's when you meet a guy you like and he asks to take you out, you say yes, and you go on some epic dinner date with a kiss at the end. There are plenty of guys that want to date you."

"For the notoriety, maybe."

"Nah. Mike mentioned that Brett, Kyle, and a couple of other guys were asking about you."

"Brett and Kyle? As in the football team?" She nods, thinking she's piqued my interest, but I can only think about the bet. Was Zach telling the truth? By the time I'd driven to my house, I'd convinced myself he was trying to con me out of ten grand, but now I'm not so sure. Jamie loves to play games, so the premise is believable, but I can't imagine Brett and Kyle selling me out like that.

Narrowing my eyes at Olivia, I watch for the faintest of tics across her face to see if she's holding anything back. All I get is an overeager smile and a creased forehead. She knows nothing, but does Mike? I've seen him since but didn't bother following up like Zach suggested. However, now that I'm here, looking like a stalker ex-girlfriend desperately trying to get her lover back, I kind of wish I had.

Turning on my heel, I walk with purpose to the bonfire, not wanting to elaborate until I've spoken to Mike. "Where's Mike? I need to ask him something."

"He'll be here soon; until then, let's go and get a drink. You need to loosen up a little." When Olivia links her arm with mine, I let her pull me to the back of the field where the band is playing and the cheerleaders toss each other in the air.

Clutching onto the denim fabric of my jacket, I feel more empowered than before, looking at the swath of students ahead. Tonight won't be that bad. No one will notice me, and if I keep my jacket firmly in place, I should be able to hide Jamie's jersey underneath.

All I need to do now is speak to Mike and find out if Zach was telling the truth. Then I'll have a decision to make.

I've reached a new low. A low I didn't think was possible after the whole cheating fiasco, but it's happened, and I only have myself to blame. My fingers tap against the two plastic cups I'm holding while I stand next to my best friend pretending I haven't noticed that she's essentially dry humping the living daylights out of her boyfriend. I thought they were going in for a quick peck hello, but I was wrong. So, so wrong, and now I'm paying for it in awkwardness.

I stare at the clear liquid swishing in my cup, desperately trying to ignore the slurping and mewls coming from a foot to the left. It's impossible, though. They're loud, and I'm right next to them. I get ignored when I look up and try to make eye contact with anyone. Not surprising since Jamie made me the class clown, but it still sucks.

Then my breath catches when my eyes meet with a pair of green ones staring at me from across the fire.

Zach stands there with a grin on his face. He's got the perfect view of my pathetic ass. My best friend is ignoring me in favor of making out with her boyfriend while I'm wearing my ex's shirt, standing on my own, and playing with two Solo cups. Embarrassment seems to be my middle name these days.

He raises an eyebrow, and with the quirk of his lip on the left side, I know he's silently questioning my decision to ignore him the other day. As if I'd just give the guy ten grand because he asked for it. There's no way I'm playing that kind of money without verifying the story first. I can't go around being the oblivious girl who guys can take advantage of for the rest of my life.

My attention is stolen when a pair of hands rest on my hips like they're allowed to. "Honey, baby," Brett coos into my ear, and it takes everything in me not to throw one of the cups in his face. "How have you been? I was looking for you in school today but couldn't find you."

What the hell have I done to deserve this attention?

Brett's not a bad-looking guy, with intense dark hair and eyes, the girls in school love him. Me? Not so much. I've heard too many stories from Jamie to think anything he says is genuine, and frankly, I know where his hands have been, and I want no part of it.

Cocking a brow, I step away from his touch. "Not sure what you're talking about. We were in math fourth period today, or don't you remember? You did have Kim sitting on your lap, so maybe you weren't paying attention."

His pupils are shot, and his eyes are glazed over. How much has he drank tonight? This rally is full of chaperones, yet somehow, he's managed to sneak in enough alcohol to get drunk. My eyes dart around the fire, searching for anyone who might tattle on Brett since I don't want him to get in trouble. Not that he cares, he'll probably just offer sexual favors to the faculty member who catches him. Wouldn't be the first time.

"Oh, yeah, right, right. Hey, listen. Do you maybe want to go out on a date sometime?" He gives my hip a little squeeze and smirks. How I wish I could give his face a little punch in retaliation.

Placing my hand over his, I peel his fingers off, tossing them to his side. "I don't think that's a good idea. After all, I used to date Jamie, and you're his teammate. Isn't that like breaking some kind of bro code or something?"

Brett bites his bottom lip, lifting the edges into a smile. "Oh yeah, I already talked to Jamie, and he gave me his blessing." He stares down at me with a hooded gaze, one I think is supposed to be sexy but just makes him look drunker than I believe he is.

My eyebrows shoot up as his hands move up my sides. "Did he?" Brett nods, and I raise my hand to his chest as he comes closer. As I step toward him, I bring my mouth to his ear. "Well, you can tell Jamie that he has no right to give anyone his blessing. I'm not his property. Now, it would be great if you could do me the courtesy of letting me enjoy myself." I shoulder past him, spilling Olivia's Solo cup in the process.

"Honey, wait," he says, grabbing at me, but I slip away. "I know you're hurting with everything that happened with Jamie, but this isn't done between us." He sounds determined, but it makes me wonder how much of tonight he'll remember. I flick my gaze to Olivia, who's still making out with Mike and is oblivious to my current predicament. If only Mike was concentrating on something other than my friend's tongue, then I'd be able to ask him about the bet and go home.

Brett still lurks beside me, which I can only assume is because he's expecting me to suddenly change my mind.

Screw it.

I'll ask Mike some other time.

"Bye, Brett," I coo, spinning on my heel and walking away. I stalk toward my car, done with this night, then a wide chest blocks my way. Taking my time, I tip my chin up to see Kyle standing there with a smug smile that could rival Brett's.

"Where are you going in such a rush, Honey Pot?"

"Honey pot?"

He shrugs, a smirk growing on one side of his face. "Yeah, because you're so sweet."

I want to gag at his awful pickup line, but I'm too busy holding back the laughter at his faux sexy smirk. "Sweet isn't exactly how I'm usually described." Self-absorbed bitch is what I've become accustomed to over the last couple of weeks.

Kyle stares at me, his eyes roaming my body as though I should take that as a compliment. Do girls at this school always fall to their knees for these guys? As I back away from him, there's a nagging feeling I can't get out of my mind. Brett and Kyle were the two guys to approach me tonight. Brett and Kyle. The two guys Zach mentioned the other day. Maybe he was telling the truth.

"You're right; you're too sexy to be sweet."

"Urgh." I cringe, trying to sidestep Kyle, but he steps in my way. "What the hell?"

His hands land on my shoulders, and I narrow my eyes at his hairy, fat fingers. "I just thought since you and Jamie were finished, maybe you'd let me take you out on a date."

My brows furrow. "Umm, Kyle, we've known each other since kindergarten, and the last time you spared me a passing glance was when you accidentally stepped on my playdoh house when we were six."

"You still remember that?" His eyes bug out.

"Of course. I spent the whole damn day on it."

His hands trace my arms as he looks at me slyly. "Let me make it up to you, then, Honey Pot?"

"Sorry, but you're several years too late for that."

His fingers grip my arms as I try to move away. "Oh, come on. Let me take you out. Just one date."

The tapping of his foot and the urgency in his voice make me suspicious. More suspicious than I already am. There's got to be something else going on.

"I'm good," I reply, pushing past him to walk back to the fire because now I'm certain this conversation with Mike can't wait.

I feel a pair of eyes watching me as I stride back to the bonfire and fully expect Zach's gaze piercing through me when I find the perpetrator, but instead, it's Jamie. His arm is draped over some sophomore cheerleader who's too busy boasting to her friends that she's got Jamie Nicks by her side to care that he's staring straight at me. Where's McKenna? Why does my heart skip a little at the idea that he's already through with her? I shouldn't be surprised; he has the attention span of a gnat.

Jamie's jaw tics when I don't flinch, then he takes a long pull of his beer. It's funny because this is the first time he's looked at me since the whole cheating debacle, and I was expecting my stomach to turn, but it's not. I guess it's because I was expecting him to look at me with regret and remorse, not with hunger in his eyes like he will somehow get me back.

Could Zach be right?

The crowd cheers, drawing my attention to the makeshift stage in front of the fire. Flanked by a couple of cheerleaders, Zach steps up the stairs, looking like the king on campus. The bright-green jersey complements his eyes as they flicker around the crowd.

As he smiles at the crowd, his gaze stops when he finds me, and even though the cheerleaders are stroking his arm on either side, he pays them no mind.

Wriggling out of their hold, he moves forward, taking center stage like he owns it. I've never spent much time looking at Zach Evans, but I see something I never thought I would. I see why all the girls have been trying to get into his pants since he arrived. He's cocky with a genuine I don't give a fuck kind of vibe, and the grin pulling on the left side of his cheek is almost playful. It's not that I never noticed how beautiful Zach was before; it's just that since I always thought Jamie was my endgame, I never bothered looking at anyone else. Guys were just guys, and I didn't see the point in contemplating dating when I knew it would never happen.

When the menial clapping halts, Zach is handed a microphone and mutters a small "Thank you" before bringing the mic to his lips. "Thanks Coach Bear for letting me speak tonight." As I weave through the crowd looking for Mike and Olivia, I feel Zach's eyes following me, but I do my best to ignore it.

"I hadn't prepared a speech tonight since this was a last-minute thing, but let's give it a go." When I glance at him, he smiles wickedly, and that's when I'm sure he's watching. An anxious feeling festers in my stomach, but I focus on my quest for my friends.

"Three years ago, winning wasn't much of an option for South Point Prep. You'd be lucky to have a winning season record, let alone qualify for the playoffs. Now with the help of Coach Bear and Coach Anderson—"

"And you," Mike hollers from the crowd.

Zach draws his head down, scratching the back of his neck before continuing. "Anyway, we not only made it to the playoffs last year, but we won." Zach paused as the students cheered. "And now, we're in contention for another win this year. But winning is not guaranteed!" he exclaims with the vigor of a practiced orator. "Winning is hard, and even though they think we're on top, we still have more to prove." The words fall into the night as the students talk and cackle among each other, but I listen closely. "We need grit, determination, and the right mindset. A mindset that can look forward and forget the humiliation in defeat because you know in the end, you'll rise like a phoenix from the ashes and prove everyone wrong."

Frowning, I turn my attention back to the stage because that last comment doesn't make sense. We don't need to rise; we've already won. Zach's still watching me, and he raises a brow as if to confirm my suspicion.

Is he talking about me?

That punch must have had more than a little spike of vodka because clearly, I'm imagining things.

"We've been in this position before. Everyone talking about last year's win was a fluke. People are making bets on us, hoping we lose." Bets… "Bets we've lost because we've been too busy focusing on talk instead of the game."

No one is listening now, but his words and sole focus on me have my feet stuck to the ground, hanging on his every word. "Fake plays and misguided trust won't get us anywhere if we don't have team spirit to back it up." Fake plays? It all sounds a little like he's speaking to me in code in front of everyone, but I still don't know if he's legit. "If we want to win again, we need to show strength and resilience through the tough times as well as the good ones."

I break eye contact when Mike accidentally hits my elbow when him and Olivia come to stand by me. He offers me a small smile before focusing on the stage.

"So, all I want from you tonight is to take a bet on us." His eyes are all I see in that moment. Intense and focused on me, saying things he'd never be able to out loud in front of an audience like this.

I jump at Mike's roar as he encourages the rest of the football team to cheer even though they aren't listening. Zach hugs the two coaches, then lets the cheerleaders escort him off stage before winking at me as he leaves.

If I wasn't sure about Zach's intentions before, that little stunt made things all the more real. He wants me to be his accomplice in a bet I'm still not entirely sure is real. Brett and Kyle may have flirted with me tonight, but that could be some huge coincidence.

My eyes widen when a horrible thought comes to mind. What if they're all in on it together and my humiliation over the last couple weeks wasn't enough of a punishment? What if the football team wants to go full pelt and take me down for good?

My eyes dart around the bonfire, looking for Zach again, but instead of his sharp shoulders and strong gaze, I'm met with a familiar set of brown eyes. Jamie is watching me, but not in the way I'd hoped after everything. There's no remorse or sorrow, just a sinister grin as if he knows something I don't.

The bet, maybe?

Encouraged by Jamie's glances, I turn to Mike and Olivia, ready to get to the truth.

"Honey," a deep voice calls, stopping me in my step. When I turn to see Connor, he tips his chin in acknowledgment and gives me a lazy smile. Great. Just what I need, another football player to flirt with.

Connor stands a few inches away, towering over me, and I raise my hands, trying to balance myself. "Hey, C. What's up?"

His hands rest on my elbows, offering me support as he gives me a crooked grin. "You've got such pretty hair." His eyes are a little hazy, and I smell beer on his breath. Perfect. Not only is he flirting with me, but he's also probably not going to remember this in the morning.

"Uh … thanks."

He tracks the strands of my hair, stopping where they brush against my shoulders, and stares for a little longer than would be considered normal. "It's not quite blonde but definitely not brown." His hand reaches out for me, and I crane my neck back. "It reminds me of honey, which is kind of funny because your name is Honey." He scoffs.

I tuck my hair behind my ear, feeling slightly prickly after all the advances tonight. "Funny. You've never talked to me or mentioned my hair before. Why the sudden interest?"

It takes a few seconds for his eyes to focus, but that goofy smile is still there when he does. "It's because you were with Jamie before. Now that he's out of the picture, I thought I could get your number."

I throw my head back on a cackle. "You've already got it, Connor. Don't you remember when we were messaging about Jamie's birthday party last year?"

He scratches the back of his head. "Oh, uh, yeah. I forgot about that."

I shrug, watching his reaction when I say, "Not surprised. You're usually oblivious to any other girl but Ali." Since the start of high school, they've been on and off, and I'm guessing they are on an off period if he's talking to me and I haven't had my hair pulled out.

"Oh yeah," he mutters, dropping his gaze and scuffing his shoes against the ground.

He seems awkward talking to me, so I decide to push him a little. Connor's the most placid of the football players, so maybe the alcohol has given him loose lips. "You know, you aren't the first football player to come up to me today." He raises a brow but doesn't look surprised. "Brett and Kyle have also asked me out." There's the tiniest inkling of a lip twitch from him, but he holds his mouth straight. "It almost feels like you guys are competing over who can sleep with Jamie's ex first."

I put it out there more obviously than I would have if Connor was functioning with all his senses, as I figure he'll forget about this tomorrow anyway.

His eyes widen, and he steps back. "Competition?" His voice is an octave higher, and his gaze sweeps over my head to look at the other students.

Bingo.

"There's no competition." The guilt in his voice tells me a different story. He's fixated on something behind me, and I'm met with Jamie's sinister smile when I look over my shoulder. The smug smile with a dash of arrogance is hard to ignore, and I have an inkling of suspicion it's because anyone with a brain cell can see Connor will not get in my pants anytime soon.

However, the way Jamie's looking at me, combined with Connor's, Brett's, and Kyle's behavior tonight, has only led me to one conclusion.

Zach could be right. There is a bet on me, but I don't know whose side he's on. Either way, I'm pissed.

Not only did Jamie make a fool out of me in front of the entire school, but now he's trying to add to that embarrassment. He's making me the butt of everyone's joke again, all the while ripping off his friends because he knows I'd never go for one of them. Misplaced loyalty and all that crap.

"I'll talk to you later, Connor." Turning, I push my way back to Mike and tug at his arm to get his attention.

"Hey, Hon. What's up?" he asks with a furrowed brow. He's still his usually peppy self and isn't acting any different. "Olivia just went to the bathroom." He points behind him.

Shaking my head, I rest a hand against his shoulder. "Nah, Mike, it's you I need to speak to, and it's about Zach."

"Zach? As in Zach Evans?" Surprise laces his voice, but he watches me closely.

"Yeah, you're friends, right?" He nods. "Well, I talked to him the other day."

"You did? What about?"

"He told me about the bet, and I need you to verify it."

"What bet?"

I slump, studying Mike's face because he should know what I'm talking about. "The bet between Jamie and some of the football team," I say, a little less confidently than before.

Mike's features soften, and his mouth slacks. "Oh. That." I cross my arms and raise my brows.

"Yeah. That." My heart beats faster, but I don't show it.

"Look, I honestly thought it was all a joke, you know, locker room chest-puffing; otherwise, I would have mentioned it to you already."

"What's the bet?"

"I thought you said Zach told you?"

"He did, but I want to make sure I'm not being shafted by him too."

"Nah." A little grin pulls at the side of his lip. "Zach isn't like that. He wouldn't shaft anyone. Especially not for the football team."

Interesting.

"What's the bet?" I ask again.

Mike chews his bottom lip and glances over his shoulder, looking for Olivia, I presume. "I'm still not sure it was real, but it was between Jamie, Kyle, and a couple of other guys." Well, at least I know Zach wasn't lying. "It was something about you going on a date with one of them. I wasn't really listening because I knew it was ridiculous."

"Is that why you didn't tell me?"

He lifts a shoulder. "I just kind of thought you wouldn't be naive enough to go for any of those idiots." He pauses. "But I also didn't want to upset you after everything else…"

"Where's Zach?" Standing on my tiptoes, I look around for his blond hair.

Mike cranes his neck, looking through the crowd that I can't see because of my height. "I'm pretty sure he left after his speech. He hates these things and only came tonight because Coach forced him to."

The adrenaline running through my body slows, and I take a deep breath. It's fine. I can talk to him at school or at the game tomorrow. It will give me time to focus my thoughts and next steps.

"Do you want me to give you his number?" he asks.

"No, no. I'm good. Can you tell Olivia I'm heading home, and I'll talk to her tomorrow?" I walk backward, watching Mike's sympathetic face. "Oh, and if anyone asks, I don't know a thing about the bet, okay?" He nods, pursing his lips.

Then I make my way to the parking lot, ready to take on these idiot football players.