My Secret Deal 10

I woke up in a worse mood than usual.

Not just because of the weird dreams, the sore throat, or the lingering ache between my thighs.

But because of him.

Jake Roberts.

The guy who kissed me like I was his oxygen and then left me half-naked, heart racing, and more confused than ever. No explanation. No apology. Just vanished.

My phone buzzed.

Erin: Football game tomorrow. You in?

Maisy: She won’t go. Travis is playing.

Willow: Coward move if she doesn’t. He cheated. She should cheer for the other team just out of spite.

I didn’t respond.

Instead, I got a full hour-long lecture from my parents about how I’d ditched piano class the day before.

“You’re wasting your future,” my mom snapped. “Just like you wasted your time on that boy.”

My dad shook his head. “You were smarter before you started dating him.”

Ouch.

I let them yell. I didn’t have the energy to fight.

Willow picked me up for school, talking the entire ride about the game.

“Come on. Erin has a crush on Tom Reed, Maisy wants to see Rex, and honestly? You need a win. Even if it’s just seeing your ex get demolished on the field.”

“I have piano,” I mumbled.

“You had piano yesterday.”

My phone buzzed again.

Jake: Game’s today. Come watch me destroy your cheating ex.

I ignored it.

Jake: Still ignoring me? Cute.

Jake: Bucket list reminder: Give Travis the middle finger when he loses. That’s tonight, princess.

I clenched my jaw.

Jake: Front row. Behind the bench. I’ll be watching for it.

I locked my phone and stuffed it in my pocket.

Willow raised a brow. “Who keeps blowing you up?”

“Nobody,” I lied.

She didn’t look convinced.

***

By the next morning, the group chat was full of plans and outfit decisions. Erin was definitely going for Tom. Maisy was hoping for a chance encounter with Rex. Willow was… well, being Willow.

Me? I told them I was going to piano class. Again.

The lie felt heavier this time.

I walked halfway there.

Until someone stepped in front of me.

Jake.

In uniform. Helmet in one hand. Sweat glistening on his skin. Eyes locked on me like I was the only person left in the world.

“You’re not going to that class.”

“Yes, I am.”

“You’re not.”

I tried to sidestep him. He blocked me again.

“Jake, move.”

He leaned in, voice low. “You know who’s playing today?”

I didn’t answer.

“Travis,” he said. “Your ex. Who cheated on you last week.”

I flinched.

Jake kept going. “And you know who’s playing against him?”

He smirked. “Me.”

Of course.

“This is your chance, Lily,” he said. “Your bucket list isn’t just about doing dumb rebellious shit. It’s about reclaiming you. So sit behind the bench. Flip him off when we crush them. And when we win—”

I folded my arms. “What about two nights ago?”

Jake paused.

My voice cracked a little. “You left me. No explanation. Nothing.”

He looked away, jaw clenched.

“Tell me what happened,” I said.

Jake didn’t move, and neither did I.

I crossed my arms tighter, heart pounding harder than I wanted it to.

“I asked you a question.”

He looked at me — jaw tight, breath slow, eyes darker than usual.

“I’ll tell you,” he said.

I blinked. “What?”

Jake stepped closer, just enough to make my pulse skip.

“After kickoff,” he said, voice low. “Meet me behind the bleachers.”

I searched his face. “You’re serious?”

“You want to know what happened two nights ago?” He tilted his head. “You’ll show up. After the game starts.”

He turned away, heading toward the noise, the crowd, the spotlight he didn’t seem to want but always walked straight into.

“And if I don’t?” I called after him.

He paused, glanced over his shoulder.

“Then you’ll keep wondering.”

And just like that —
Jake Roberts walked into the stadium.

And I was left standing there…

With questions that burned hotter than any kiss.