Two Yards from Heartbreak

Chapter nine

Noah didn’t bring Jace up again for the rest of the day, but I could tell it was still sitting with him.

After last period he walked me to the parking lot. His hand was in mine, but his mind was clearly somewhere else.

“I’m gonna talk to him,” he said suddenly.

I looked up. “About last night?”

“Yeah. He needs to know it’s not okay.”

Part of me wanted to stop him. Another part knew Noah wouldn’t let it go.

“Just… don’t make it a big fight,” I said.

Noah gave a short nod. “I won’t.”

I found out later that he caught Jace by the locker rooms after practice.

I wasn’t there, but Noah told me about it on the phone that evening.

“I asked him straight up why he showed up at your house,” Noah said. His voice sounded tired. “You know what he did?”

“What?”

“He laughed. Like actually laughed. Then he said, and I quote, ‘Bro, you think I’d waste my time on the coach’s quiet little shadow? I was bored. That’s it.’”

My stomach dropped.

Noah continued, “He kept going. Said you’re not even his type. That he only talked to you because it was funny watching you get all nervous.”

I sat on my bed, staring at the wall. The words hurt more than I wanted to admit.

“And you believed him?” I asked quietly.

“I don’t know.” Noah was silent for a second. “He’s my best friend. He’s said dumber s**t before. But something still feels off.”

I didn’t know what to say.

After we hung up, I stayed on my bed for a long time.

Jace had looked at me that night of the party like he actually saw me.

He had texted me.

He had sat outside my house.

And now he was telling Noah I was basically a joke to him.

My phone lit up.

Jace:

Heard Brooks talked to me.

You mad?

I stared at the message. I should have ignored it. I should have told Noah right away.

Instead I typed back.

Me:

Why did you say those things about me?

The reply came fast.

Jace:

Because it’s easier.

And because I don’t owe anyone an explanation. Especially not him.

Another message followed.

Jace:

Doesn’t mean I was lying when I said I noticed you.

I locked my phone and pressed it against my forehead.

Noah believed Jace was just being an asshole.

Jace was still reaching out to me in private.

And for the first time, I didn’t tell Noah about the new messages.

I told myself it was only once.

That it didn’t mean anything.

But deep down I already knew I had just taken the first small step behind his back.